Event Information & Race Briefing

PLEASE REFER TO IMPRTANT BRIEFING NOTES BELOW - RACE DAY IS HERE!

Course Description

The Rodney Coast Challenge multisport course description is as follows:

• 10 Km Forest Run, from Rimmer Road forest entrance to Rimmer Road forest entrance. 2022 TEMPORARY RUN ROUTE CHANGE

• 30 Km Road Cycle stage heads out from Rimmer Road on to S.H. 16 through Helensville, Kaukapakapa, and onto Makarau

• 25 Km Mountain Bike stage heads up the Makarau Valley onto Tahekeroa Road, right into Upper Waiwera then on to Noakes Hill. Right into Krippner Road and then descends into Puhoi

• 8 Km Kayak down the Puhoi River starting at the back of the Puhoi Park and finishing at Wenderholm Park, with a 100 m sprint to the finish

Maps

Entry Categories and Costs

Just in case there are any hiccups with government restrictions we have a cancellation refund option in our entry form. 

Individuals - price includes event t-shirt*  Individual Entry Form

• Open/Vet/Golden Oldies Male & Female - $125

• Youth 13-18 years - $99

Tandem - price includes event t-shirt*  Tandem Entry Form

• Tandem Team of 2 Adults $240

• Tandem Team of 1 Adult + 1 Youth $199

• Tandem Team of 2 Youths $180

Teams – price includes event t-shirts*  Team Entry Form

• Team of 2 $199   ( Youth 13-18 years $170 )

• Team of 3 $245   ( Youth 13-18 years $199 )

• Team of 4 $290   ( Youth 13-18 years $240 - Use your own kayak )

• Team of 4 School Teams Challenge – $299 – Kayak Supplied - Same Kayak for every team

• Youth competitors in any category can hire a kayak for $99 delivered - this is an entry level racing ski (sit on top) 

*Event t-shirts are included in race packs for entries received before 12th November 2023

Entries received after 10th November will be deemed to be late entries. Late entry fee $30.00

No refunds after 12th November 2023without medical certificate

Race Day Sunday 19th November 2023

Race Organiser Kaukapakapa Scout Group

Race Director Graeme Hounsell

Email info@rcc.org.nz

http://www.rcc.org.nz

Phone 027 462 0675

Registration From 6:00 AM forest entrance on Rimmer Road

Race Briefing 7:00 AM forest entrance on Rimmer Road

Safety Requirements N.Z.S.A approved bike helmet stages 2 & 3. N.Z.S.A approved buoyancy aid stage 4. Bikes must be in road safe condition. Entry refused where any bike is deemed unsafe

Timetable

Saturday 18th November

• 5:00 PM The Puhoi park transition area opens for competitors wishing to drop their Kayaks off before the start. This is highly advisable. Officials will be on hand for security right through to race day morning if you wish to drop off early Sunday morning

• 5:00 PM The Makarau Scout Camp Mountain Bike transition area opens for competitors wishing to drop their Mountain Bikes off before the start. This is highly advisable. Officials will be on hand for security right through race day morning if you wish to drop off early Sunday morning

Sunday 19th November

• 6:15 AM The Road Cycle transition opens for competitors wishing to drop their cycles off. Officials will be on hand for security

• 6:15 AM The registration area at the forest entrance on Rimmer Road is open for check-in. Race numbers issued at check-in. Only one member of a team or the support person needs to be at check-in, other team members can go directly to their transition areas. Please bring your race number

• 7:00 AM Pre-race briefing

• 7:15 AM Race Start

Further timetable details below

Race Briefing update – for competitors and support crew 17-11-2023

Welcome to this year’s Futureproof Life Rodney Coast Challenge. This the 25th time the Kaukapakapa Scouts have run this event. Each year the compliance becomes more difficult. You can help us by ensuring that you and your support crew follow the instructions given in the race notes and by my Marshals on the day. You may have one person to assist you in the Transition Areas.

This year we have had problems getting the required number of marshals, I believe I have all the major intersections covered and well-marked but you need to be aware of your route just in case. One reason people have given for not wanting to help this year is the level of abuse directed towards them from support crews and the odd competitor last year. I am sure you will agree with me that this is unacceptable and I urge all of you to treat the volunteers with courtesy & respect, without them the race would not happen.

PRE-RACE DROP OFFS

These are available for mountain bikes and kayaks on Saturday 18th November if you would like to save time on Sunday morning.

·         5:00 PM The Makarau Scout Camp Mountain Bike transition area opens for competitors wishing to drop their Mountain Bikes off before the start. This is highly advisable. Officials will be on hand for security right through to race day morning if you wish to drop off early Sunday morning

·         5:00 PM The Puhoi park transition area opens for competitors wishing to drop their Kayaks off before the start. This is highly advisable. Officials will be on hand for security right through to race day morning if you wish to drop off early Sunday morning.

This year the kayak drop off and transition will be in the carpark not on the sports field. The fields are still regenerating after the floods earlier in the year.

Sunday 19th November - REGISTRATION

·         6:15 AM The Road Cycle transition opens for competitors wishing to drop their cycles off. Officials will be on hand for security

·         6:15 AM The registration area at the forest entrance on Rimmer Road is open for check-in. Race numbers issued at check-in.*  

Only one member of a team or the support person needs to be at check-in, other team members can go directly to their transition areas.

Please make sure you your race number,  you can check here Competitors

·         7:00 AM Pre-race briefing at Rimmer Road Start

·         7:15 AM Race Start

·         * Note all tee shirts will be available for collection at the finish along with a nice cold Puhoi Pilsner and other non-alcoholic drinks.

Course and Transition Information

Run section – 10km

This year’s run will start at the cycle transition on Rimmer Road and is an out and back loop section into the forest. The route is 100% on gravel road. Aid stations serving water are available at approx. 5km and 8km. Please follow the Marshalls instructions.

• The start line is near the forest entrance on Rimmer Road, turn left into Selwyn Road, and then straight ahead on the unnamed road at junction, 500 m loop back, then turn left into Bradley Road and then left into Selwyn Road. Finally turn right into Rimmer Road and finish at the Road Cycle Transition 1. See the Maps

• Your time is recorded when you cross the blue timing mat. Please ensure your race number is clearly displayed

• Proceed from their to your road cycle stored on the cycle racks, or swap you bib to you next team member waiting on the grassed area

• Please do not short cut across the road or through the traffic cones

Rimmer Road Run/Cycle Transition Registration and Start

PARKING – Please follow instructions, there will be lots of vehicles and you may need to walk a few hundred metres to the start.

1. No stopping or parking around the Forest entrance, the transition area and Gouldie Road. All Cars must be parked facing down Hill to state highway 16.

2. Forest entrance must be always kept clear for cars

3. Only official race vehicles to enter the forest.

4. Portaloos are available.

Road Cycle section 30km

Start on Rimmers Road, left onto State Highway 16, right at roundabout into Helensville, and on through to Kaukapakapa Village, north past Kaipara Lookout before descending and right into the Makarau Valley for the Mountain Bike. See the Maps

THERE ARE NO ROAD CLOSURES – YOU ARE RIDING ON OPEN PUBLIC ROADS. You must stay left and obey the road rules, traffic will be overtaking you and coming the other way. Do not cut corners or cross the centre line unless turning right into Makarau Valley.

1. Be aware of car doors as you leave the Transition Area and until you have cleared the parking area on Rimmer Road.

2. Take extra care riding through Helensville and Kaukapakapa villages as there will be pedestrians crossing the road at shops and markets. There is a Sunday market in Kaukapakapa - beware of car doors opening.

3. Makarau Road intersection (Right hand turn). Be aware of traffic coming from the north. Do not cut the corner, last event a cyclist nearly became a bonnet ornament as the car coming down Makarau Road could not see him until he was right in front of him. 

4. All cyclists must dismount when entering the Transition area and follow the taped route to your mountain bike. Movement within the transition is on foot.

5. If you are using the same bike for the mountain bike section you must also dismount and run through the transition zone with your bike. No ducking under the bunting!

Mountain Bike 25km

THERE ARE NO ROAD CLOSURES – YOU ARE RIDING ON OPEN PUBLIC ROADS. You must stay left and obey the road rules, traffic will be overtaking you and coming the other way. Some corners are sharp and steep PLEASE DO NOT CUT THE CORNERS - Keep left on all corners.

•  Support Vehicle Parking at Makarau Community Hall, Burnside Road, and Burke Road. Please follow marshals directions for parking.

• No vehicles can park on Makarau Road or on the Makarau Scout Camp site.

• Please respect the competitors on the course

Remember support vehicles are banned from travelling on the mountain bike course, you must return to SH 16 and Kahikatea Flat Road

Generally, roads are in good condition although Downers have recently spread loose gravel on some sections.

1. Tahekeroa Road has several runnels across the road which recent weather and rain has further developed.

2.           Upper Waiwera Road, the descents are slippery and there have been washouts with severe drops on some of the corners. TAKE CARE.

3. Noakes Hill is in good condition with the odd deep rut and scouring.

4. Krippner Road descent. This is a steep descent with roadworks at the top of Krippner Road reducing the road to a single lane for approx 800m (right hand side as you descend). A traffic light system is in place. DO NOT RUN A RED LIGHT - YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED - please obey the marshals instructions. It may be possible, at your own risk, to ride within the left hand side of the coned section but you must stay left at all times.

5. Puhoi Village be aware of cars and pedestrians, ride over the bridge into the carpark and rack your bike as directed.

6. Dismount and walk through the transition area and rack your bike before running through to tag your team mate or find your kayak.

Transition 2 - Makarau Scout Camp - Transition 2 Map

Kayak 8km - NOTE the put in is next to the bridge NOT by the playing fields.

Please note that the field has been closed this year and the Transition has been moved to the carpark, this is a more compact area as is the launching area alongside the jetty. You may need to be patient

1. Kayaks are not to be moved from the lay up area until the Kayaker has their race bib on.

2. Race bibs must be clearly displayed OVER THE TOP OF YOUR BOUYANCY VEST WHICH MUST BE WORN.

3. One person may assist Kayaker entering their boat- be prepared to get your feet wet. It is not the marshal’s responsibility to help you get into your kayak so please prepare your crews.

4. You may need to wait in line as there is limited space on the river bank.

5. There is still a tree partially blocking the river, about 800 metres downstream from the start. STAY RIGHT -  It can be navigated but early or late athletes may have to portage (walk) around it.

6. Kayakers take the main right fork after passing under SH1 and go down river to Wenderholm. You must keep to the right-hand side of the channel when approaching on-coming craft, and at all corners. Kayaks must finish to the east of the Wenderholm boat ramp. Look for the flagged area. Kayakers must run through the park to the finish chute. Follow the signs. The park is open to the public, please give way to the public

7. On arrival at Wenderholm (next to the jetty & boat ramp) your support crew may assist you in exiting your Kayak.

8. Support Crews must remove your Kayak immediately. Marshals will not be handling Kayaks this year (Health and Safety issue) so please do not ask them.

9. The run to the finish follows the grass edge of the road to the finish line and will be clearly marked.

Transition 3 - Puhoi Park - Transition 3 Map

• Parking is in and around Puhoi Village, please follow marshals directions

• The bridge will be closed to support person vehicle traffic at 8.30am about half an hour before the first competitors begin to arrive, be early for Kayak drop off.

Finish Line and Prizegiving - Wenderholm Regional Park

• No dogs are allowed at Wenderholm Regional Park, not even in your vehicle  

• The timing marshals (by the blue timing mats) cannot answer questions during the race

• Race packs and t-shirts are to be collected at the end of the race at Wenderholm in exchange for your race number bib

• Sausage Sizzle (Beautiful Sausies!)  Please bring cash.

• Harcourts Coffee & Cone Truck - please bring cash if you have it as eftpos reception is poor.

• Please ensure your support crew remove your Kayak to your vehicle immediately when you finish. There is limited space to store Kayaks

• Prizegiving will take place at 1:00 PM,  apologies for those competitors who may still be out on the course

Wenderholm Regional Park Map 

Timing

• 6:00 AM Gates open at Wenderholm Regional Park

• 10:15AM First Kayakers will begin to arrive (based on 7:15 AM start)

Good racing and enjoy the day

Graeme Hounsell

Safety Notes

• If you are at the scene of any accident please give assistance as required and relay a message of help via the next competitor

• Important! If you withdraw from the race please notify the nearest marshal of your number and hand in your bid

Support Crew Briefing

1. Familiarise yourself with the above Transition Maps

2. The success of the event is with you the support crews
   Rule No 1 – courtesy to all competitors not just your own entrants

3. When exiting parking area give way to cyclists and incoming forestry traffic, faze into the left lane clear of cyclists

4. Drive from Road Cycle Transition to Mountain Bike Transition takes approximately 30 minutes, travelling withing speed limits. Do not speed, Traffic Police are in attendance

5. Park at Mountain Bike Transition as per map 2 or as directed

6. SUPPORT VEHICLES ARE BANNED ON MOUNTAIN BIKE COURSE
   This is a rough gravel road. Be fair to your competitor and give them a fair go. The following route is the quickest: Exit car park, return down Makarau Road to SH16 travel via Kaukapakapa, Kahikatea Flat Road and Pine Valley Road. Take Motor way extension north to avoid Silverdale and Orewa. Travel past Wenderholm Regional Park to Puhoi turn off on the left. This drive takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes
   DO NOT PANIC – a better than average mountain biker will take 55 minutes to ride the course

7. At Puhoi, after 8.30 AM vehicles must not cross over the bridge opposite the pub, to avoid congestion with Mountain Bikes. If kayaks need to be carried to rear of the park it is best to drop these off before the race starts. Kayak transition will be manned from 5:30 AM
   CARS MUST NOT DRIVE ON THE GRASS

8. WENDERHOLM REGIONAL PARK
   Obey Park speed restrictions please
   DO NOT block access to the boat ramp and respect public rights to use the Park. Assist to clear your competitors kayak from the landing area as quickly as possible

Thanks

Graeme Hounsell

Race Director 

Transition Maps