Alternative Road Relay - update MOTHBALLED FOR NOW!

Alternative Road Relay

The aim is to do something on the day of the NZRRs as together as we can be and give everyone something to look forward to. The concept is a roughly 80k, 8 person (or 60k 6 person) road relay incorporating some of the highlights of Auckland - the waterfront, the Waitakeres, Henderson and Herne Bay starting and finishing in the city centre. There's about 1000m of climb. It's free. No roads are closed but we have tried to use bike paths and footpaths where possible. The start times will be staggered on a handicap system to try to get fair racing between age groups, mens, womens and mixed teams and also to avoid crowds. There are no prizes, just bragging rights for the first team home. The finish site at Silo Park has been chosen because it is a big enough space and there are plenty of venues nearby where socially distanced celebrations can happen.

We think we can do this event safely at level 2 but will make a final call closer to the time. Teams can be men, women or mixed. They can be all the same age group, or again mixed up - the handicap system will even things out.

Entry deadline Saturday 25th September

No late entries. Runners can be swapped in and out by the night before the event. Keith will need a beer for each change.

Entry

Captains - download the entry form and follow the instructions on it:  Entry form 

The route

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4609918375

8 leg relay start: Ferry Building, finish Silo Park (legs 1-8)

6 leg relay start: Nixon Park carpark, finish Silo Park (legs 3-8)

The route is not marked. So runners need to learn their route and try not to get lost - or take a map!

Leg 1 - 10.61km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620276529 

Leg 2 - 11.46km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620283876 

Leg 3 - 9.58km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620290014 

Leg 4 - 9.29km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620295375 

Leg 5 - 9.02km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620301171 

Leg 6 - 10.31km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620305650

 Leg 7 - 10.39km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620308332 

Leg 8 - 9.28km - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4620311689

Leg descriptions and location of checkpoints: 

The handicap system

Team captains submit names, gender and ages of their runners for each leg using the entry form.

Keith works out a start time for the team based on the data supplied. The formula he uses relies on the WMA Age-grading calculator (howardgrubb.co.uk) and takes into account runner factors (age, gender, 10k time) plus the length and hilliness of each leg and uses a factor of 0.85 because none of us are world record holders!

So, based on this, your team will be given a start time. Slower teams will start first. The plan is for every team to finish at around 2pm and the first team home wins bragging rights.

Team captains are responsible for recording all times. You should use this form.  Print it out and hand it in at the end. 

There will be a general briefing online the night before. Details TBC. 

Safety, details and other bits and pieces

All entrants must be 18+

Everyone entered does so at own risk. No roads are closed. If you have to cross a road, use a crossing if there is one or take good care.

We will meet all requirements for exercising in level 2 - including gathering sizes, social distancing and mask wearing (if mandated).

There are no batons so do a fist-shake at handovers.

There are no race numbers.

Contact details collected on the entry form are for contact tracing purposes.

We use cycle paths and footpaths. Respect other users.

On the day, arrive at the start no earlier than 20 minutes before your first runner needs to leave.

Henderson Valley Road has a footpath on the right side. Please use it.

Opanuku Road is unsuitable for vehicles, don't take a car up there. If you are supporting by car, drop your runner at Henderson Valley School and then drive up Forest Hill Road to the next checkpoint at Waiatarua Community Hall.

The short Scenic Drive section and the top of Forest Hill Road have no footpaths. Stay as far over on the left side as possible, wear something bright and be prepared to take evasive action.

The trickiest bit in terms of navigation is the end of leg 6 and beginning of leg 7 in Henderson. Leg 6 and Leg 7 runners, check out your route carefully.

Leg 7 runners, watch out when you join the North Western Cycleway. Look both ways.

Team captains, round up your team at the end and disperse.

If there are any disputes, we will consult GPS data and adjust race times accordingly.

Call out for volunteers

If you know of anyone (partners, friends, injured runners etc) who wouldn't mind standing on a checkpoint for a couple of hours on the Saturday, please send names. Most of the checkpoints have coffee nearby...

Contact: Nick

nickmoore01@gmail.com

021 119 4177

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