Dirty Weekend format

The Dirty Weekend ACE Race is a two days of ACE Racing. Both days are SCORE format, with only some controls being mandatory. Compared to previous years of ACE racing, one difference you can note is that there may not be a timed ‘Endurance’ (Time Trial) stages for the STANDARD class, although some stages will have several sequential passage CP’s keep you on track. Some CP’s will involve brief and fun activity for completion. For the ELITE class there is a linear timed stage at night.

Mapping

The event utilises fully pre-marked custom-made A3 and A4 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey mapping. Controls sites (circles with numbers), out of bounds and numerous additional tracks are marked carefully onto the maps by the course planners. This also helps where there are purpose-built MTB singletracks in the forests. As the maps are produced with great cartographic care and laser printed at A3 this gives superb product results. Additional maps include Orienteering maps. These maps are then supplied with sealable A3 and A4 poly bags.

(At this event there is parallel MTB activity created by the Polaris Challenge, which will access some of the ACE controls and use the same A3 extents).

Values

Checkpoint Values (on short strips of paper) are collected at a ‘Give-out’ a short distance from the start line - A waterproof pen is recommended for marking up these values.

Starts

The Saturday start will be a MASS start at approx 0915. The Saturday evening start is likely to be one minute staggered starts from 1930, with the lowest scorers from the Saturday starting first if they wish.

The Sunday start is likely to be a staggered start from 0830.

Activity Format

Saturday ALL: 8hr SCORE format with ALL cycling, running and kayaking activities included in this time. The MTB is used to connect the running and kayak areas. This will require that all mandatory equipment is carried or worn. Completing designated minimum kayak, running and biking controls. There will be penalties for lateness after 8hrs.

Saturday night STANDARD:  60-120 minutes foot and/or bike orienteering. This will require that all mandatory equipment is carried or worn. There will be penalties for lateness after the Target Duration Time*

Saturday night ELITE: Strenuous and exciting extended activities possibly all disciplines. This collection of activity on Saturday night for the ELITE amounts to a race from start to finish - a night Multi-Sport Race. Return to ACE Base could be as late as 1am.

Saturday One Day event: As above for STANDARD and with a ropes activity added in as an additional checkpoint during the day.

Sunday STANDARD: 6 hr SCORE format with ALL cycling, orienteering and abseil activities included in this time. Abseil is mandatory as are a designated minimum* number of orienteering controls. Kayaking may also feature on this day TBC. On this day, the route is dictated by several ‘passage’ mandatory CPs. This will require that all mandatory equipment is carried or worn. There will be penalties for lateness after 6 hrs.

Sunday ELITE: 6 hr SCORE format with ALL cycling, orienteering and abseil activities included in this time. Abseil is mandatory as are a designated minimum* number of orienteering controls. Kayaking may also feature on this day TBC. On this day, the route is dictated by several ‘passage’ mandatory CPs. This will require that all mandatory equipment is carried or worn. There will be penalties for lateness after 6 hrs.

*We do not reveal all the details pre-event and more will be divulged at Registration.

Distances

These distances are minimum predicted, by following ‘sensible’ connections between CPs as journey to activity areas.