Santee State Park Off-Road Triathlon

The third and final installment in the Category IV Off-Road Race Series will take place at the Santee State Park.

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2008

Race Site:
Santee State Park
251 State Park RD
Santee,SC 29142
Phone: (803) 854-2408
Fax: (803) 854-4834

Santee State Park does charge an entrance fee to the park. The fees are as follows:

• $2 adults
• $1.25 SC seniors
• age 15 & younger free

Race day Schedule:

Parking:
Upon arrival to the park, there will be a sign that will take you to the Transition Area.  There is plenty of parking along the road and in this area.  We recommend parking near the TA and walking the short distance across the dam to race HQ.

Driving Directions:
From I-95: Take exit 98 to Hwy 6 toward Elloree, the park is located 1 mi. W. of the town of Santee.

From Columbia: Take I-26 to Hwy 6, exit 136, travel through St. Matthews, continue on Hwy 6 for approximately 15 mile to Elloree and follow signs.

Use MapQuest to view a map! Or see the Santee State Park web site!

Course Info/Order of events:
The third and final installment in the Category IV Off-Road Race Series will take place at Santee State Park and will offer 2 distances this year! Sprint or Die Hard!

Race management will be provided by Chris Williams (of the Winter Challenge) and Setup Events.

This event will provide a fast course for participants. This is a “Rain or Shine” event.  The race will take place in spite of inclement weather.  Only severe winter weather resulting or lightning storms will result in delay.  EXTREME EMERGENCY INFORMATION regarding the race will be posted on this web site if necessary.

Event I: trail run
The run course takes place on hard-packed double track woodland trails.

• You must wear the race number that is provided in “front.”
• Aid stations will be located throughout the course.  Water will be provided.
• No headphones, radios, etc.
• This will be a mass start.

Event II: kayak
The kayak course is set on the open water of Lake Marion and should provide an ideal arena for strong paddlers.

• 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 2x lap paddle for Die Hard racers and 1x lap paddle for Sprint racers. Buoys will mark the course.  
• 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.

Event III: mountain bike
The mountain bike course traverses a fast 3 ½ miles of the running trail before turning into the woods for a tough finish on challenging single-track.

• Approved Hard Shell Helmets must be worn and fastened before leaving the Transition Area.
• Stay to right to allow faster cyclist to pass on the left.
• If you suffer a valid repair problem with your bike, you can finish the course on foot, with or without bike. Use caution.

Transition Area info:

• No bike storage the night before.
• 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.

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:
  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 leave as far as is absolutely necessary.
• Participants should endeavor to assist other participants who may find themselves in physical distress.  Officials may adjust that participant’s time accordingly.
• Decisions affecting timing of participants will be made final by Racescapes.  Issues may be appealed to Racescapes, who will finalize decisions Race Day.
• Headphones, earplugs, etc. will not be allowed on course.

Relay Teams:
Build a relay team! This is an excellent way to enter this unique sport and all in the spirit of teamwork.

Relay teams may be comprised of teams of 2 to 3 persons.  One person from each team will be responsible for each individual "discipline" or course.

• one participant runs
• another paddles
• a third bikes

Teams will have their own category and compete against other teams. See Fees & registration for pricing info.

If you would like to participate in a relay but are looking for a teammate, contact us chris@winterchallenge.com.

Categories & awards:
A heaping helping of unique and interesting awards & prizes, featuring quality outdoor gear will be provided by our sponsors! Sprint and Die Hard winners will be separated.

Award presentations will begin immediately after the last finisher completes the race or at the Race Mgt’s discretion (approx 1:30).  You MUST be present to collect your award, or have someone collect it for you.  Awards will NOT be mailed out.

Results will be posted after the awards ceremony and complete results will be posted at www.setupevents.com and through www.winterchallenge.com by Monday after the race.

Participants will be distinguished in the following race categories:

Individual participants: Male and Female
Relay Teams: Single Gender, and Co-ed
Masters: Male and Female (40+ on race day)

Prizes will be awarded as follows. Categories do not repeat.

Individual participants:

• Overall winner
• Top male or female ie, if the individual participant with the best time overall is female, the second prize would go to the top male finisher.
• 2nd place overall

Relay teams:

• First place team overall
• First place coed team, or all-female team
• 2nd place overall

Masters:

• First place Masters overall
• First place Masters, male or female, respectively
• 2nd place overall

Further categories and awards to be determined by race mgt. based on the field of participants

Fees & Registration:
Help us prepare for the best race possible by pre-registering. Giordana cycling caps are guaranteed only to all preregistered participants.

Register online at www.setupevents.com.

Registration fees:
Until April 2, 2008 online
$45 individual
$60 2-person relay
$90 3-person relay

Race day
$55 individual
$70 2-person relay
$105 3-person relay

Food:

• There will be bananas, oranges, and water free.
• There will be a hearty meal at the end of the race that is free to all attendees.

Lodging:
Santee State Park is offering a 20% discount for a 2 night stay to participants.  Call the State Park at 803-854-2408, www.santee-statepark.com, or 1-800-345-PARK (7275) to make reservations.  Discount will be taken upon arrival.

Santee State Park
251 State Park RD
Santee,SC 29142
Phone: (803) 854-2408
Fax: (803) 854-4834

Kayak rentals:
Epic Kayaks and Coastal Expeditions will be providing kayaks on site for this race. All outfitters will need your reservation in advance of race day.  Don’t wait until the last minute!  Also, a reminder that an approved personal flotation device will be required of all participants.  Be certain that you have one for the race.

We recommend Epic Kayaks for the more competitive paddlers.

Epic Kayaks Brian Houston (843)-884-4601

We recommend Coastal Expeditions for a variety of kayaks to suit paddlers of different skill levels, beginner to intermediate.

Coastal Expeditions Brian Wilson (843)-884-7684

Contact info:
For more info on the Winter Challenge Off-Road Triathlon, contact Race Director, Chris Williams:

chris@winterchallenge.com
803-823-2044