for your racing pleasure
Triathlon
As always, the main event at the Winter Challenge is an off-road triathlon consisting of a 7-Mile Trail Run, a 6-Mile Kayak, and a 10-Mile Mountain Bike.
Triathlon Relay
For those interested in teaming up, a Relay option will be available, allowing you to compete as a 2 or 3 person team. And if you're having trouble finding a teammate, give us a shout and we'll do our best to pair you up with someone. Even better, give a shout out on our Facebook page, and you're sure to find some takers.
Duathlon
The Winter Challenge also features a Duathlon consisting of 7 miles of Trail Running and 10 miles of Mountain Biking. The Duathlon course is broken into three segments -- a 2.25 mile run, followed by an 10-mile bike, and finishing with a 4.75 mile run, all based on the same route as the full triathlon. The duathlon has grown considerably over the years, becoming a veritable all-out sprint from start to finish.
Duathlon Relay
Same course as the Duathlon (and tri for that matter), but for the relay-minded among you, split the work by pairing up a great cyclist with a great runner... or a slow cyclist and slow runner for that matter. Either way, we see it as yet another opportunity for racing bliss.
As always, the main event at the Winter Challenge is an off-road triathlon consisting of a 7-Mile Trail Run, a 6-Mile Kayak, and a 10-Mile Mountain Bike.
Triathlon Relay
For those interested in teaming up, a Relay option will be available, allowing you to compete as a 2 or 3 person team. And if you're having trouble finding a teammate, give us a shout and we'll do our best to pair you up with someone. Even better, give a shout out on our Facebook page, and you're sure to find some takers.
Duathlon
The Winter Challenge also features a Duathlon consisting of 7 miles of Trail Running and 10 miles of Mountain Biking. The Duathlon course is broken into three segments -- a 2.25 mile run, followed by an 10-mile bike, and finishing with a 4.75 mile run, all based on the same route as the full triathlon. The duathlon has grown considerably over the years, becoming a veritable all-out sprint from start to finish.
Duathlon Relay
Same course as the Duathlon (and tri for that matter), but for the relay-minded among you, split the work by pairing up a great cyclist with a great runner... or a slow cyclist and slow runner for that matter. Either way, we see it as yet another opportunity for racing bliss.
Covered in your Registration
For starters, your registration covers a hot and delicious post-race meal. It will also include a longsleeve t-shirt. Oh, that's not even to mention that registration covers your ticket to 23 miles of pure racing bliss.
Race will be held under inclement conditions, including rain, sleet, or shine (trust us on this one).
Under severe weather conditions, the race may be postponed, at the discretion of the race management in which case, persons unable to participate would be entitled to a refund.
Race will be held under inclement conditions, including rain, sleet, or shine (trust us on this one).
Under severe weather conditions, the race may be postponed, at the discretion of the race management in which case, persons unable to participate would be entitled to a refund.
Refund Policy
If you are unable to race for good cause (please don't just tell us you didn't get your training in as planned!), here are your options:
Ahead of January 1
Deferral of your race entry to the following year
or
Refund of 50% of your entry fee
January 1 - Feb 1
Deferral of your race entry to the following year
No Refunds
Feb 2 and later
No Deferrals, No Refunds
Important Note Regarding Mailing of Tshirts to Folks Who Can't Make It:
As much as we'd like to accommodate such requests, t-shirts on race day are a pretty hot commodity. In short, this is a very tall ask, and though we'd like to say we can make it happen, the chances of it actually coming to pass are about as good as Frosty making it thru a full day in hell. Don't get me wrong... we still love you. It's just virtually impossible to do.
Please understand how much goes into planning and preparing for the Winter Challenge and that once we hit about January 1, all the proverbial cows are in the barn with monies allocated towards food, shirts, insurance, etc. And that's not to mention the difficulty of keeping track of such requests in the midst of all the chaos leading up to the race.
Ahead of January 1
Deferral of your race entry to the following year
or
Refund of 50% of your entry fee
January 1 - Feb 1
Deferral of your race entry to the following year
No Refunds
Feb 2 and later
No Deferrals, No Refunds
Important Note Regarding Mailing of Tshirts to Folks Who Can't Make It:
As much as we'd like to accommodate such requests, t-shirts on race day are a pretty hot commodity. In short, this is a very tall ask, and though we'd like to say we can make it happen, the chances of it actually coming to pass are about as good as Frosty making it thru a full day in hell. Don't get me wrong... we still love you. It's just virtually impossible to do.
Please understand how much goes into planning and preparing for the Winter Challenge and that once we hit about January 1, all the proverbial cows are in the barn with monies allocated towards food, shirts, insurance, etc. And that's not to mention the difficulty of keeping track of such requests in the midst of all the chaos leading up to the race.
Order of Events And General Athlete Info
The course is built on a beautiful & rugged wilderness setting including two-hundred year trails, a 75-acre pond, blackwater swamp, and at its heart, the South Edisto River. The transition area is perfect for spectators and crowd support. It is set up so that participants pass through “race headquarters” four times before reaching the finish line. Almost half of the kayak segment of the race is visible from where the transition area is set up off the banks of the lake, where there are two cabins set up to accommodate spectators and athletes.
Winter Challenge Schedule:
Please note... we keep as tight a schedule as humanly possible, but there are a whole lot of cats to herd and not a whole lot of brohams. In other words, keep calm and get your bliss on.
Please note... we keep as tight a schedule as humanly possible, but there are a whole lot of cats to herd and not a whole lot of brohams. In other words, keep calm and get your bliss on.
|
Friday - Day Before Race
12pm ~7pm ~7:30pm Saturday - Race Day! 7:30-9:30am 9am 10am 10:30am 12:30pm ~2:30pm |
Dome Farms opens to campers and participants Athletes are welcome to pitch a tent, check out the course, or just kick back and start working on their good time. Pre-race Meal will be served to all Campers and Volunteers Packet pick-up Volunteer meeting Pre-race orientation Race Start! Food will be served (until everyone is fed!) Awards Ceremony-everyone is encouraged to attend. We give away a sick amount of swag, not only to winners, but to pretty much anyone who sticks around! |
Location/Directions
Race Site:
Dome Farms
Hwy 39 & New Forest Road
Between Springfield & Williston, SC
Use the map below, or view location in Google Maps here.
Location/Directions
Race Site:
Dome Farms
Hwy 39 & New Forest Road
Between Springfield & Williston, SC
Use the map below, or view location in Google Maps here.
Details and Race Rules
Transition Area
Run
Paddle
A note on your choice of kayak: we've fielded many ?'s regarding what boat to bring. There is no perfect answer, but here are a few thoughts: If you are an amateur or beginning paddler, you will be more secure in a wider kayak. Lengths may very, but boats approx. 16' are recommended.
For more experienced paddlers, you probably know what you're going to use already. Beware though, there are any number of submerged logs, stumps which you might encounter. Canoes are allowed but do not come recommended. Paddle boards are not allowed... sorry.
Bike
Additional Race Rules
Withdrawals
Should any participant choose to withdraw, they should notify an official and request that info be forwarded to the race director. Everyone must stay on trail unless accompanied by an official. Oh yeah... You are responsible for your timing chip. Please don't lose this.
- Label your belongings.
- Participants & assigned volunteers only in TA.
- No support in the TA during the race.
- Bike slots will be on a first come first serve basis.
- Participants must push/run bikes out of TA. You are NOT allowed to mount in TA.
- Helmets must be on and fastened before mounting bike. (ANYTIME)
- Bar end plugs are required for all bikes.
- No glass in the TA.
Run
- You must wear the race number that is provided in front.
- Aid stations will be located throughout the course. Water and Heed (Hammer Nutrition sports beverage will be
provided. (3+ stations) - iPods (or your big sister's Sony Walkman) are allowed on the run part (only!) of the course this year.
- This will be a mass start.
Paddle
- Approved PFD's must be worn at all times when participants are in their kayak.
- Kayak positioning along the lake will be first come first serve.
- If a participant has a support person they may have assistance launching and docking their kayak. (There will also be volunteers to provide support for participants)
- This is a 3x lap paddle. Buoys, ribbon and paint will mark the course.
- The course is counterclockwise. You must stay to the right of the marks. The marks are not just guidelines. They are boundaries, and if you miss one, you must either go back to it or suffer a one minute penalty.
- If you need assistance from a race official, blow a whistle, wave your hand or wave your paddle overhead. There will be a minimum of three boats on the water to officiate & provide assistance.
A note on your choice of kayak: we've fielded many ?'s regarding what boat to bring. There is no perfect answer, but here are a few thoughts: If you are an amateur or beginning paddler, you will be more secure in a wider kayak. Lengths may very, but boats approx. 16' are recommended.
For more experienced paddlers, you probably know what you're going to use already. Beware though, there are any number of submerged logs, stumps which you might encounter. Canoes are allowed but do not come recommended. Paddle boards are not allowed... sorry.
Bike
- Approved Helmets must be worn and fastened before leaving the Transition Area.
- If you suffer a valid repair problem with your bike, you can finish the course on foot, w/ or w/o bike.
- Use caution.
- All tags must be made immediately past the timing mat.
Additional Race Rules
- If a participant appears in physical distress, officials may pull the participant from the race, to be evaluated by medical personnel. Participant may re-enter upon positive assessment by medical personnel.
Follow the marked trail. Any participant deliberately leaving the trail for shorter route will be DQ'd. Exceptions follow:
1. Where there may be an obstacle, such as on the bike course a participant my choose to ride around or dismount to cross that obstacle.
2. Nature's Call! If a participant must leave the trail to answer Nature's Call, he or she must leave their bike or some other form of gear beside the trail. Only venture as far as is necessary please. - Participants should do their best to assist other participants who are in physical distress. Officials may adjust that participant's time accordingly.
- Decisions affecting timing of participants will be made final by official event timers. Issues may be appealed to our timing team, who will finalize decisions on race day.
- iPods and other personal music players are allowed on the run part of the course this year. However, headphones, earplugs, etc. will not be allowed on any other part of the course. Too dangerous when you're on water (with a bunch of other people) or riding a bike (with a bunch of other people).
Withdrawals
Should any participant choose to withdraw, they should notify an official and request that info be forwarded to the race director. Everyone must stay on trail unless accompanied by an official. Oh yeah... You are responsible for your timing chip. Please don't lose this.
