Winter Challenge Off-Road Triathlon

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009

Race Site:
Dome Farms
Hwy 39 and New Forest Road
Between Springfield & Williston, SC

This year the trails will be faster, cleaner, and meaner than ever as we showcase the Winter Challenge in its 6th year. The Course is a beautiful & rugged wilderness setting including two hundred year trails, a 70 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.

2009 Winter Challenge Schedule:

Friday, February 6

Saturday, February 7

Event I: Trail Run
The Race begins with the 7 mile run course. It takes place on six to ten foot wide hard-packed farm roads and single track woodland trails that will keep participants surrounded by woods and lake view. The course is mostly level terrain with a few rolling hills.

Event II: Paddle
The 6 mile paddle course takes place on a 70 acre still water lake. The lake is approximately half open water and half flooded cypress. The course will require circling the perimeter of the lake in a series of three laps. The path requires no portage but paddlers may encounter the possibility of minor obstacles through portions of the course. This is a beautiful “ Edisto” setting, haven to a wide variety of waterfowl including duck, heron, geese and osprey.

1. Kayaks of all types will be permitted. Canoes will also be allowed. Fixed rudder boats are not recommended.
2. If you do not have a kayak with which to race, rentals will be available through Coastal Expeditions and Epic Kayaks. Reservations MUST be made in advance. See Kayak Rentals for more info.
3. It is required that all paddlers carry with them an approved PFD.

Event III: Bike Course
Participants finish the race on a challenging 10 mile mountain bike course. The trail varies in width from 3 to 8 feet wide featuring both double and single track. The trail is built to accommodate riders of all levels, but offers technical challenges for those with advanced skills. There are, for instance several natural obstacles which may be either ridden or bypassed at the cost of a few second’s time. The finish of the bike course will feature three fences of hay bales which riders may attempt to jump, climb, or carry their bike over. Last year, this cyclo-cross style element offered exciting and colorful finishes for the participants and spectators.

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.  Relay teams will not run the entire course together. 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.

Categories & awards:
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 (45+ on race day)

Unique and interesting awards & prizes, featuring quality outdoor gear will be provided by our sponsors! 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.

Our awards ceremony is always one of the highlights of the race.  The prizes are interesting and in many cases, quite valuable. 

Registration:
Registration Fee includes a hot, post-race meal provided by celebrated Lone Star BBQ, (vegetarian options included). It will also include a 100% Cotton Long Sleeve race t-shirt and "swag bag" full of miscellaneous surprises, not to mention your ticket to 23 miles of pure racing bliss.

Help us prepare for the best race possible by pre-registering. Long sleeve race t-shirts cannot be guaranteed to race day registrations.

You can register online at Set Up Events.
http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1124

Race will be held under inclement conditions, including rain, sleet, or shine. Refunds will not be available unless arrangements are made prior to the race with the race director.

However, 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.

Fees

Preregistration Before Jan. 1:

Late Registration Jan. 1 - Feb. 1:

Race day Registration: (if available)**

** Check web site first to see if there are any race day registrations available. Race will be capped at 200 participants.

Ready to register? Great! Register at Set Up Events
http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1124

Food & Lodging:
Food:

• A delicious, hot and healthy meal will be provided by Lone Star BBQ at the finish line, free of charge to all participants. There will be a modest $5 charge for guests.
• There will also be a warm cabin, hot beverages, and various diversions throughout the day!
• Concessions will be available at the race site.

Lodging:

• Primitive Lodging/Camping available at race site.
  Call for info. 803.823.2044.
• The Villa Motor Inn is located in nearby Williston, approximately ten minutes from the race site. Ph# 803.266.7001.

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 Chris Williams:

chris@winterchallenge.com
803-823-2044