ENTER!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EQUIPMENT

What sort of Mountain Bike do I need to bring to the event?

Any mountain bike will do, although a bike with front suspension makes for a smoother ride. You can use a hybrid bike, however you may need to walk some rougher sections of the course. Team members are required to provide their own mountain bike and helmet for the event. If you need to hire a bike, check out our Gear List page for details on who to contact. Please note: If you intend to ride an e-bike in the Max Adventure Race your bike must meet the definition of an e-bike permitted in National Parks under the NSW Road Rules/QLD Road Rules. You must also let us know that you will be riding an e-bike as you will be recorded as ‘unranked’ and will be ineligible for category prizes.

Do I need to bring my own Kayak?
Kayaks, PFD ’s and paddles are supplied for all of the Max Adventure Races, which is covered in your entry costs. The Kayaks used are Toyboy Voyager II sit-on-top two person kayaks.
Are there any core competencies that I need to demonstrate before being able to race?
To participate in the Max Adventure Race Series, all participants must:

  • Be able to swim 100m
  • Be able to ride a bike
  • Be able to read a topographic map
  • Have a basic level of fitness and able to cope with the demands of the event
  • Minimise their impact on the environment during the event and respect other users of the land
  • Accept responsibility for themselves and their belongings
  • Be prepared to follow the rules and conditions included in the final instructions
What equipment do I need to compete?
You will need a sense of adventure and:

  • Mountain bike and bike helmet
  • Compass
  • Map case
  • Mobile phone, in a waterproof bag
  • Pealess whistle per team member
  • Drink, at least two litres per team, is recommended
  • Basic first aid kit (one crepe bandage, adhesive tape, wound dressing and six adhesive dressings)
  • Emergency blanket (space blanket)
  • Pen / Highlighter (for marking map)
  • Contact Paper (to waterproof your map and course instructions with, if you don’t have a map case)

A full gear list, rules and directions will be available in the Event Program emailed to all participants 1-2 weeks before the race as well as being published as a Latest News article on our website.

How good do my navigation skills need to be?
Each course will require some basic navigation skills with a compass (teams to bring their own) and you will need to be able to read a topographic map (see example here).
Is the mountain biking very technical?
The mountain biking consists mostly of fire trails with single track included where available. There may be some technical sections depending on the layout of the course. If you are not comfortable riding any section of the course we recommend you dismount and walk your bike.
I have SPD pedals, should I swap my pedals?
Generally there is a running leg part way through the mountain bike leg, so people with SPD peddles will need to carry trainers for this leg or swap their peddles. The advantages of wearing SPD’s are generally out weighed by the time lost in transition for these types of sprint races.

GENERAL

Are there any aid stations?
No, there are no aid stations on course.  All teams need to carry enough food and water, plus all mandatory gear at all times whilst on course. There are transition areas during the event, where you will change from one discipline to another discipline, i.e. run to bike leg or kayak to run leg, etc. 
Do you offer a training plan?
We do not offer a training plan for any of our adventure race events.
What do I need to do when I get to the event?

Once you arrive at the event you will need to visit the registration tent knowing your Race Number (provided to all participants on the Thursday prior to the event) and Team Name (when you registered). If you didn’t receive this information, check the Latest News section of the website to get this information before the arriving at the event. With this information in hand at the registration tent, you will collect your team race bag which provides you with your map, instructions, timing chip, wrist band and race bibs. You then have time to plan and prepare yourself for the race. Just before race start time, a race briefing will be given on any information that competitors will require to complete the course. The teams are then called to the starting line and READY, SET, GO!!!

Is there car parking close to the start/finish point of an event?
Yes, car parking is readily available and accessible to all competitors in the vicinity of the event area.
Do you provide directions to the event?

Yes, directions, full gear list and rules will be available in the Event Program emailed to all participants 1-2 weeks before the race as well as being published as a Latest News article on our website.

Where can I leave my belongings while racing & will they be safe?
Spare gear (towel, change of clothes etc), food and water can be left at the transition and registration area. Volunteers and race officials will be located around the course and at transition areas. Event organisers hold no responsibility for loss of personal items.
Which event would be the best place to begin competing for a novice?
Any of the Max Adventure Races are an ideal starting place for novice. All events cater from the beginner through to the experienced athlete.
Can I enter an event on the day of the race?

It’s definitely easier if you have registered online, before entries close on the Wednesday night before the event date. But, we also know that spontaneity is rife and generally, we do accept entries on the day. The best option is to get in touch with us if you think this might be the case so that we can share with you any event specific information that participants may have received.
If you have already entered, you can also update or change your entry details prior to the day or at the registration tent on race day.

Where are the events held?
What is the Max Adventure Race Series?
Designed for teams of two, the overall objective of the Max Adventure Race Series is for you and your teammate to have fun, navigate and complete the designated course (both teammates together completing each discipline, not in relay format) in the minimum amount of time possible, by visiting each of the checkpoints in turn by navigating the course by foot, mountain bike and kayak.
How long does the race go for?
The Max Adventure Races take between 2 to 6 hours to complete depending on which course (Novice or Classic) you are on and how competitive teams wish to be.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw from the event?

Please see the Refunds & Cancellations section on the website for further information.

RACING

Is there a Team List published before the event?
A Team List which includes teams allocated race bib number, course category and wave start time (if relevant) will be emailed to participants 2 days before the event in the Last Minute Info email as well as published on the event website in the Last Minute Info Latest News post. The list will not be published before this time.
What sort of training should I do before I compete?
Most people with a basic level of fitness will be able to complete an adventure race of this nature. We recommend doing some training that incorporates trail running and mountain biking on single track and fire trails.
Is there a minimum or maximum age to be able to race?

The minimum age is 8 on both courses (Novice & Classic), when accompanied by an adult and 14 years if two teenagers are racing together. Our registration platform only allows registration of team captains over 18 years old, please contact us for instructions for registering teams of teenagers.

There is no maximum age for racing, just a basic level of fitness and a sense of adventure. We strongly recommend that parents considering entering children under 14 should have already completed the event themselves. This way you will be able to decide if your child has appropriate skills to complete (and enjoy!) their Max Adventure Race experience.

Are there prizes for the winners?

Prizes are awarded to the top three teams in each category (Mixed, Male and Female) of the Classic course. There are also a random draw prizes given away at the presentation. There are no podium prizes for the Novice course as we try to encourage beginners to the sport to have a go rather than ‘compete’ for a position/prize.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER