In the Tour De Raro cyle race drafting is permitted however anyone
competing on a bike equipped with profile bars is asked to keep their hands off
them when drafting and whenever riding in a pack.
Registration
Registration is
considered complete once your entry form together with full payment is received
by the organisers.
Race number allocation
and marking will be done on race day. You will need to sign a waiver if you had used an electronic registration form, prior to racing.
Race Briefing
The triathlon race
briefing will be available for download from the web-site closer to the event.
A race briefing will also be given at the Pasta Dinner.
There will be no
triathlon race briefing on race day and competitors are responsible for knowing
the rules, course, and any hazards that are on the course.
The race briefing for
the Boiler Swim and Tour de Raro will be given approximately 15 minutes before
the start of the race, at the start line.
The Course
Triathlon Swim Course
The
swim leg course is a triangular clockwise course within the lagoon at Muri. The
start will be in front of the Muri Beach Club Hotel in knee deep water.
The
first leg involves a swim of about 500m out past the motu (island) towards the
reef turning right at the first buoy.
The second leg is a swim of almost 380m
towards the beach in front of Sails Restaurant. Another right turn around the
second buoy starts the third and longest leg.
The third leg involves a swim of
almost 600m parallel to the beach which goes past the start area. A left turn
at the third and final buoy with a short 30m swim to the exit point at the
beach completes the swim. There is a short run to the transition area.
Due
to shallow waters in the lagoon the triathlon will be scheduled to start when
the tide is high.
Competitors are requested not to run or wade wherever the
water is deep enough to swim to avoid possible coral cuts, and other underwater
hazards.
Triathlon Bike Course
This
cycle leg a one lap anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Rarotonga’s coastal road (31.2km)
beginning and ending at the transition area (Ngatangiia Sports Field), plus a
loop around the Rarotonga International Airport (10km).
The
airport loop starts approximately 17km into the bike course, past the airport,
at the turn-off beside the Black Rock Store, which is also the road that leads
to the Cook Islands National Hospital.
Competitors
will climb a hill as the road swings left after 300m, until halfway to the
Hospital. A left turn is made (marshals will be present) and the road descends
sharply behind the Rarotonga Golf Club and the follows the Ara Metua (inner
island road) beside the airport runway.
This is a main road and will be
followed until the junction of the “Taro Patch Corner” and the “Cross the
Island Trek” route. Marshalls will be at this intersection and direct cyclists left, cautioning any
vehicular traffic, and this road will be followed until it meets the coastal
road at the Surf's Up Rarotonga shop opposite the Avatiu harbour.
This
will be at approximately 20k, or halfway on the bike leg.
Cyclist will then turn
left back onto the coastal road and proceed all the way around the island with the ocean on the
right, until entering the transition area, at the 41k mark.
Race
marshals together with members of the Cook Islands Police will be present a the
major intersections, however competitors are responsible for knowing the course
and are advised to familiarise themselves with the Airport loop.
Cyclists
will have their numbers recorded along the route to ensure that the course is
completed.
The
road is not closed to traffic and competitors must use caution at all times.
Drafting is not permitted behind vehicles or other cyclists.
Triathlon Run
Course
The run leg is a flat,
T-shaped course, starting from transition at the Ngatangiia Sports Field.
Runners will head down the
lane from transition towards the main road, keeping to the right left as
cyclists will be arriving down the same lane.
At the main road runners will
turn right and run on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic to
turnaround..
The turnaround is at 2.5km
(soon after the “Computer Man” sign) where runners will cross the road so they
can continue to keep right, and run 5km in the opposite direction. This will be 2.5km to the T-Intersection, then a further 2.5k to the second turnaround.
At the second turnaround (just before the “Fruits
of Raro” shop), runners will again cross the road so they can run on the right,
and run 2.5k back to the T-intersection. This time they proceed down the lane back towards transition and down the finishing chute and through the arch is to the left of the transition
area in the Ngatangiia Sports Field.
Water stations will be located near the T-Intersection at the end of the
lane as well as at points along the 2.5k sections.
Competitors are advised to keep well hydrated. Temperatures during the event are expected to be around 30C.
Teams
We like to keep the event fun and enjoyable, and teams
in the triathlon event are welcome to participate. All things applicable to
individuals are also applicable to team members. “Tagging” of team members will be at the
beach side of the transition area and will occur before unracking your bike and
after racking your bike.
Medical
In entering this event you certify that you are
medically fit to complete the event. One
of the most important things to remember is to keep your fluid levels up -
don’t forget to drink!
