SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER

BLACKWOOD RELAY - SUMMARY OF course RULES

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To ensure fairness to all competitors, all rules must be strictly adhered to. Please take particular note of those rules regarding the equestrian section, for those entering the 5 leg relay.

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GENERAL RULES:

At registration, each team or individual competitor (if going solo) will be issued with a bag containing several items that will need to be dealt with BEFORE the beginning of the event.  It is the team or individual’s responsibility to attend to these matters.

 

Instructions for the use of, or the fixing of these items to your person, or craft will be dealt with later in this summary.

 

All competitors enter this event at their own risk and understand that the natural environment can throw up hazards from time to time that the organising committee have no control over.  This includes weather conditions. 

 

Private property owners have been most generous in offering the use of their property for the event.  Please treat it with the utmost respect.

The onus is on the competitor to make an honest attempt to complete their leg in a reasonable time.  The organising committee will not be held responsible for those purposely choosing to “go slow”  thereby infringing on volunteers capacity to complete their tasks by the time of the awards ceremony. 

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THE EVENT THIS YEAR IS CONTINUOUS. 

 Once the event commences your time starts, and doesn’t stop until you or your running team mate passes under the finish arch at the Bridgetown Sport Ground.  It is the COMPETITORS responsibility to be at the correct place in plenty of time in order to hear briefings, or in preparation to undertake their leg.  Please make yourselves familiar with the new course and road and traffic conditions in order to get to the appropriate spot. 

 

YOUR NUMBER AND RACE BATON

At Registration, you will be allocated a team (or solo) number between a predetermined range preset by committee.  This number range will used to indicate the particular event you have entered into AND your category within that event. For example, competitors allocated a number between 001 - 050 will be for those entering Five Leg IRONPERSON category.   (001-010 may be Open Male,  011-020 may be Open Female etc.)  Your hand held digital timing device which is to be worn on your wrist is programmed to the allocated number.

 

This number is important as it will be referred to in the LINE call up for swim competitors at the START of the Triathlon, and in the formation of each GRID at the START of the Canoe section which will be “regatta” style ON THE RIVER. 

 

The BATON this year will be by means of a Digital timing device, worn on the LEFT WRIST of each athlete utilizing a VELCRO STRAP.  It must be securely fastened and passed between each team competitor within the transition zones throughout the event or continuously worn if you are a solo athlete.  THIS DEVICE CANNOT BE LOST OR MANIPULATED WITH IN ANY FORM.  Immediate disqualification will result.

 

(Athletes using their own timing bands should wear them on their right-hand wrist so as not to cause any confusion during the race)

 

An athlete’s positioning will be timed when they pass over timing mats or other devices at various points along the entire route where readers will pick up the digital “marker” from the wrist worn device.  Professional Timing personnel or appointed Marshalls will guide you between the “timing gates” with indicative tear drop flags.  This will enable the positioned timing devices to record your time.   The difference between YOUR start time and YOUR end time will be the time allocated for that leg and contribute to YOUR TEAM’S overall performance, or YOUR INDIVIDUAL performance as the case may be.

 

Competitors are the only people allowed to wear the digital device unless it is being transported by a runner to and from equestrian entrants within the race.  THE DEVICE MUST PASS THROUGH ALL check points. Disqualification is likely to occur if timing checkpoints have been bypassed.  

 

PUBLIC ROAD SAFETY

Where competitors are using public road systems as part of the event, for their own and the general public’s safety, they are to FOLLOW NORMAL ROAD RULES at all times. 

 

TRANSITION ZONES and RULES

Only competitors or those assisting in running to and between equestrian entrants are permitted within the transition zones (emergencies excepted.)  No external assistance is permitted unless authorised by the Chief Steward.

 

There will be 4 transition zones or 2 in the case of triathletes.  These are marked zones between each of the sport disciplines and are in place to enable the passing of the digital device between team members, or in the case of solo athletes, to enable a change of attire to suit the next leg of the event.   A timing mat will be located at the beginning of each transition zone which marks the end of that leg, and a second timing mat will be located at the end of the transition zone,  initiating the begin timing of the next leg.   

 

Each transition zone will be clearly marked with tear drop flags where individual competitors must pass through.

 

Transition times count!  

The length of time taken to move through the transition zones will count towards your team’s (or your own) overall performance.   Don’t rush during transition, but ensure you don’t dally about either.  You need to ensure that you are appropriately kitted up to suit the sport you are about to enter. 

 

Transition 1 will take place between Canoeist and Equestrian, Transition 2 will take place between Equestrian and Swim, Transition 3 will take place between Swim and Cycle and Transition 4 will take place between Cycle and Run. 

 

It is the individual athlete’s responsibility to have their kit at the correct location within the transition zone, on time and in time BEFORE the beginning of the event and arranged in their allotted position to enable them to offload gear no longer needed in their bag, then locate and change into the appropriate apparel and pickup implements needed for the upcoming leg. (For example, after swim and before cycle, towel down and put on cycle uniform including helmets, vest, socks and appropriate riding shoes.  Leave behind in bag, towel and anything else not required.)  These will be retrieved later.

 

NEUTRAL ZONES AND RULES

Two neutral zones have been set up in the Cycle section to enable fairness to each competitor as they negotiate crossing two lanes of potential traffic on state roads. Riders must follow traffic rules when crossing two lanes of traffic, and normal public traffic flows will have priority but conditions may differ for each competitor.

 

Riders pass a timed point as they enter and again when they exit the neutral zone.  The time taken to manoeuvre between the entry and exit areas of the neutral zone is NOT INCLUDED in the competitor’s overall time for that leg.  

 

Riders are not required to dismount during this process, but must pass through both the entry and exit neutral zones to enable timing correction to be implemented. 

 

EQUIPMENT:

All identifying equipment must be completed before each event commences.

 

Interference with equipment that is NOT YOURS or YOUR TEAM MEMBERS is NOT PERMITTED and if caught, will result in team disqualification of the offending party and/or other more serious charges.   This is particularly relevant to Bicycles.

 

Any competitor who breaches the Race Rules or loses their TIMING DEVICE  faces team disqualification. (NOTE: It is, therefore, essential that all competitors use the equipment supplied to attach the team cycle stickers, canoe stickers etc and any bibs securely to their person).  PLEASE NOTE EACH TIMING DEVICE IS VALUED AT $100 and must be returned to our professional timing company.

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• Canoeist – Stickers on vessel front LH and RH side.  Numbers as specified in the rules below

• Swimmers - Numbers on the arms

• Equestrian - Numbers on helmet and bridle as specified below

• Cyclists – Stickers on helmet plus stickers on bikes.  Additional Tail Tags TBC.

• Runners – attached bibs with safety pins

 

CATEGORIES:​

1. All place getters in the Veteran’s classes may be required to produce evidence of age before placings are confirmed. Men 40 years or over, ladies 35 years or over.

2. All place getters in the 18 years or under section must produce evidence of age before placings are confirmed.

3. Minimum age for any competitor is 14 years by the end of the year in which The Event takes place, unless permission is given by the Executive Committee prior to the event.

4. Any protest must be lodged in writing to the Chief Steward and must be submitted within 10 minutes of the last competitor finishing. A protest can only be lodged by a competitor. Equestrian section protests must be made in writing immediately to the Chief Veterinary Officer, at the start or finish of the Horse section.

5. There will be numerous checkpoints along the course with attending stewards. Some will include timing, others for assisting in direction or helping manage traffic flows, others for calling through to assist in team mate preparedness for changeover.

6. The Chief Steward reserves the right to disqualify any team considered to be in breach of the Race Rules.

7. No person is allowed to remove or cut obstacles from the canoeing course, including logs, tea tree, debris and other flora. Any person found so doing will cause their respective team to be disqualified. PLEASE INFORM ALL YOUR TEAM MEMBERS.

8. SWIM START. To prevent the field becoming too extended, starting times of swimmers may be altered. This has the result that the finishing order is not necessarily the final placing order. Please co-operate with all marshals and time- keepers to ensure that your times are recorded accurately.

 

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR THE EACH SECTION

 

CANOEING

1. Helmet, Buoyancy vest and protective footwear strongly advised.

2. Any deviation from the course (meaning “river bed”) apart from portage at Terry Road culvert (which is mandatory) will automatically disqualify the team. Failure to properly report to stewards at a checkpoint will automatically disqualify the team

3. Minor repairs to craft during The Event are allowed, but must be performed by competitors. Back-up crews are not allowed to perform this function.

4. Craft must be one-man canoe, kayak or surf ski.

5. Paddles only to be used for propulsion, spare paddles may be carried on craft.

6. Competitors must mark their craft with their team number on both sides.

7. Time will be taken at the turnaround point.  This manoeuvre is undertaken  in a clockwise direction.

8. Canoeists will be aligned by number and  according to their category at the start line, and must be behind the start line before departure.   Whistle into starting position, Horn will start each grid.

9. Where possible, Canoeists pass fellow competitors on the LH side and may not interfere in that competitor’s normal trajectory.

10. Upon exit, canoe is to be placed in assigned area before transition commences.  Placement of canoe is included in the canoeist’s overall time.

 

SWIMMING

1. Any attachment to any part of the body (eg. Flippers) is not allowed.

2. Wetsuits, goggles and swimming caps are requested.  TBC, issued colour coded caps to be worn and numbered both sides.

3. The swimmer must enter the water un aided and personally hand over the digital device to their next team mate upon exit during the transition zone.

4. Relay team swimmers will have their time taken at by stewards at the turn around point.  During this manoeuvre, the Arm containing the timing device must be in the air for their interim timing to be recorded.

5. Swim according to marked lanes and beware of hazards.  Generally keeping the river bank on your RH side and  negotiate the turnaround buoy in an anti clockwise direction

 

EQUESTRIAN

IMPORTANT – ALL EQUESTRIAN RACE RULES APPEAR LATER IN THIS PACKAGE PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

 

CYCLING

1. Spare bike not allowed and road traffic rules must be observed at all times.

2. Minor repairs during the race are allowed but must be performed by competitors; back up crews not allowed.

3. Vehicles driving alongside, immediately in front of or behind the competitor not allowed.

4. Start assistance allowed.

5. Protective headgear is compulsory.

6. No EBIKES are allowed or any form of motorised assistance

7. Keep left wherever possible and use appropriate hand signals when crossing traffic.  ( Neutral zones in operation wherever both lanes are required to be crossed)

 

RUNNING

1. Detours and short cuts are not allowed.

2. The marked course must be followed.

3. Where no prescribed foot path or trail is available,  Run on the Right Hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming vehicles.

4. Runners pass competitors on the L H side providing it is safe to do so.  Do not interfere in the pathway of any other competitor.   Disqualification may result.

 

IMPORTANT! PLEASE FORWARD TO EQUESTRIAN IMMEDIATELY – EQUINE RULES

​The equestrian part of the Blackwood Relay is unique among endurance rides in WA in that it is short (16km) and very fast. There are few shorter events and frequently the Blackwood Relay is the first exposure of the horse to this experience. It differs from other events too in that the rider is under pressure as a member of a team consisting often of people who have little or no knowledge of horses and therefore cannot appreciate the potential dangers of allowing a horse to push itself beyond its physical limitations. In the past, the majority of teams competing in the Blackwood Marathon have been very conscientious in preparing, competing and caring for their horses. The low number of serious equine problems reflects the commitment and skill of the riders. Despite this, problems have occurred. For this reason, over the years, changes have been made to the rules governing the equine section of The Event in order to tip the balance between speed and fitness slightly, in favour of fitness.

 

RULES

1. The RIDER must present the horse at the pre-ride veterinary examination.

2. Horses may run barefoot, but due to course conditions shoes and/or boots are highly recommended.

3. At the pre-ride veterinary examination, the horse must, in the opinion of the examining veterinarians, be able to complete the race without jeopardising the health of itself or the rider.

 

IMPORTANT – Pre ride Vet checks start at 7:30 am and are completed by 9:00 am.

 

Please make sure Equestrians are made aware of these rules

 

1. The horse’s heart rate must be at, or below, 60 beats per minute within 30 minutes of crossing the finishing line and, in the opinion of the officiating veterinarians must not show any lameness or distress.

2. The horse must be free of any ‘prohibited substance’. That is any substance having a direct or indirect action on the central or peripheral nervous system, or the cardiovascular, respiratory, alimentary digestive, musculo-skeletal, uro-genital systems of a horse. Prohibited substances include analgesics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, blood coagulants, diuretics, hormones and their synthetic counterparts, cortico-steroids, anabolic steroids, local anaesthetics, muscle relaxants, tranquillisers and vitamins administered by injection.

3. All Iron Man / Woman entrants must provide a Certificate of Competency in horse riding before their entry will be accepted. This must accompany their entry form.

4. Minimum age limit for horses is four (4) years old. This rule will be strictly adhered to.

5. Horses must not show any signs of lameness or distress during the event – this will be monitored by officials.

 

Failure to meet the above criteria will result in Team disqualification.

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1. Team numbers must be on the front of the helmet approximately 50mm high and the team number must also be securely attached to the horse’s bridle. This is the responsibility of the competitor who must present the bridle for inspection at the vet check.

2. Any type of horse may be used.

3. Riding caps or helmets must be worn.

4. The marked course must be followed.

5. The entire team will be disqualified if a team member takes a short cut.

6. The entire team will be disqualified if there is any unsportsmanlike behaviour, i.e. Barging etc.

7. No whips, spurs or long reins are allowed.

8. DRUGS - Placegetters and other randomly selected horses may be swabbed and / or blood tested. Positive swabs /samples will result in team disqualification, and the rider will be banned from future Marathons.

9. Vets have the right to disqualify any horse.

10. Horses should be available at 8:00am. for a vet inspection at Jayes Bridge.

11. The Chief Vet will disqualify any rider for any blatant disregard of the rules and / or ill-treating a horse. Any rider so disqualified will be banned from future Marathons.

12. The Chief Vet’s decision is final.

 

FURTHER ADVICE FOR HORSE RIDERS AND TEAM MANAGERS

 

Unfortunately, even horses that are physically fit may still have trouble passing the vet check at the end of the ride due to a high heart rate at the time it is taken by the veterinarian. The following may assist newcomers to avoid this problem: obtain a stethoscope. One of the most common problems I’ve observed is the horse that recovers after the ride, but as soon as a stranger approaches them and tickles them with a stethoscope the heart rate sky rockets. Try to train your horse to stand calmly when approached by a second person under circumstances similar to those he / she will encounter at the vet check.

 

Make sure your horse is used to being out in company. It doesn’t matter how fit horses are if after months of training on their own they are suddenly confronted with the excitement of a large gathering you can expect them to have a high heart rate. Give them every chance. Take them out to any event where there is a crowd, as often as possible; get them used to mayhem! Finally, if you have a head-strong horse, make sure you are going to control him if five riders gallop past you, or have him so fit that even he does bolt for half kilometre it is not going to exhaust him. Remember, start training early; any healthy horse given correct training and feeding is capable of successful completion of the Blackwood Relay.

 

KEY POINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BLACKWOOD RIDE

Written by an old, “seasoned” Blackwood Rider

 

• Start training your nag early – 12 weeks minimum.

• Fitness and conditioning are the basic aims. You will be asked to trot the horse at the final vet check to show he / she is not lame.

• 60 beats per minute (bpm) or less is the pass rate.

• Buy a stethoscope – training is a science, not a hit-and-miss affair. Serviceable stethoscopes are available from medical suppliers.

• Purpose-train your horse. 16km is not a long distance for a horse if ridden to a predetermined plan.

• Trotting is the training gait. It strengthens both the respiratory and skeletal elements.

• A 20km trot – at the eight-week mark – three times a week will have the horse working aerobically efficient. Measure the horse’s heartbeat on the build up to this goal. If he is not recovering to mid-40s within half an hour, increase the number of training rides but decrease the distance.

• The actual course is hilly, so vary your training tracks to include hills and flats.

• Variety also keeps the horse interested in his work. Different terrains also assist in conditioning the tendons and skeletal frame overall.

• Your horse will be burning more energy than usual so increase his diet. Grain, however, is not necessarily the best. As the muscles work they produce lactates, which contributes to the horse “tying up”. Grain produces a higher percentage of lactates so quality chaff (lucerne or rough-cut), carrots, plus some selenium and electrolytes can form the basis of a good diet.

• Once the horse is performing well three times a week, i.e. aerobically efficient, some cantering can be introduced into the program. Say six kilometres twice a week in place of the training trots. Two weeks of canter at the two and three week mark i s ample.

• The last two weeks can be a gradual wind-down. The work is done. The horse will freshen up and enjoy the event.

• Remember, you and the horse are part of a team. Better to ride well within your pre-measured performance parameters and pass the final vet check than have to confront your other team members after a vet out.

• Training – trotting for kilometres – is the key to a successful and enjoyable ride.

• On the course and at the finish there are bunting strips that may frighten horses if they are unfamiliar with these. The fluttering, especially when windy, may cause horses to shy or refuse to approach the finish A good training idea is to attach a couple of metres of bunting to a fence or similar near to your horse’s feeding area. This helps horse become familiar with bunting during training.