The Mount Isobel Challenge is an annual mountain duathlon which takes place in the picturesque village of Hanmer Springs, 130km NW of Christchurch.

The race is organized by Hanmer Springs Multi-Sport Club as a community fund raiser, and involves an 8km, 1000m ascent mountain-run and a mountain bike ride of approx 22 km, which can be done as two person team or as an individual.

Click here for recommended bike check

Enquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone Graham Frith - 03 315 5009 between 8am and 9.30pm.

Entries: must be on the official entry form (or a clear photocopy) and received prior to the closing date of Monday 18th May 2010. Please allow 2 days for the post to reach Hanmer Springs

Entry Forms: click here or pick one up from Bivouac Outdoor on Colombo St, Christchurch, and other sporting outlets.

Entry fee: $50 per person and includes a barbeque lunch which will be served between 12.30 – 2.30 pm at the Sports Pavilion.

Entry on the day: only if the race does not fill prior to the closing date. There will be a $20 surcharge for this. Please ring or email to check availability.

Confirmation of entry: you will not be contacted individually, however cheques will be banked daily. Pease use this to confirm receipt of entry. If you send cash, receipt will be confirmed by email.

Refunds: given up to the closing date of Monday 18th May 2010, less $10 admin fee. No refunds will be given after this date.

Registration: at the Hanmer Springs Domain, Jacks Pass Rd, and will be signposted from the main road, on Friday 7.30pm – 9pm, and Saturday 7.15am –9.15am. All competitors must sign a risk disclosure form; therefore it is important that both team members register.  NB If you register it will be assumed you will start the race. This is an important safety issue. Please do not register and then not start the race.

Start time: after the race brief, which is on Sat 22rd May at 9.30am at the Domain. All competitors must attend the race brief.

Prizes: awarded in each class at the Sports Pavilion, at approx. 2.45pm, or once all competitors have finished. A prize list will be displayed at registration. There will also be numerous spot prizes; you must be there to get one

Extreme weather conditions: i.e. strong winds or snow may mean it is unsafe to run the race on the planned route. The organisers reserve the right to alter the course at short notice, or withhold entry fees and offer an alternative date.

Road Closures: The whole circuit from the Domain, up Clarence Valley Rd, along Clarence River Rd, and over Jollies Pass as far as the cemetery will be closed to the public while the race is in progress. This should not affect the way you ride, as marshals, support crew and emergency vehicles will still be on the roads.

Cut off Time: enforced at Jollies Pass Rd / McIntrye Rd junction. Time to be confirmed at the race brief, (probably 2pm)

Run  (8 km / 1000m ascent)  From the Domain, up Clarence Valley Rd to Pawsons Rd where the Mt Isobel track is followed to the summit. Return along the ridge to follow the poled route to the transition at Jacks Pass.

Bike  (approx 22 km) Down Clarence Valley Rd, turn right onto Clarence River Rd, then turn right up Jollies Pass Rd. After ½ km approx, turn left onto the pylon track (Groan Hill) and follow this to regain Jollies Pass Rd, which is followed to the top and all the way down to turn right into McIntyre Rd. You then turn left on Jolliffe Rd, right onto Pawson Rd, and left on Clarence Valley Rd to finish back at the Domain

Transition on Jacks Pass.  Due to increasing congestion at the transition, and problems with parking of vehicles and rider safety, individual competitors will not be allowed a support crew at the transition during the race. Please respect this ruling and help us to make the race safer for all competitors. Full details of the layout will be in your race pack.

Bike stands and marshals will be on Jacks Pass from 7.30 am to allow individual competitors to position their bikes, helmets and other gear before attending the race brief. This will be done in numerical order and bike numbers must be on bikes prior to this. We strongly suggest you register on Friday evening to allow time for this, and suggest you allow at least one hour in order to position your bike on the Saturday morning. Once you reach the top of Jacks Pass please park as directed on the Hanmer side of the pass, and leave the area as soon as you have positioned your bike. Remember this is a narrow road and there will be a lot of traffic using it on the morning of the race.

Team competitors will be allowed one vehicle to go to the transition, and as far as possible this should only contain the biker for that team. No team vehicle should go to the transition until after the race brief, when there will be approx 15 minutes before the runners start, thereafter vehicles will only be allowed on the road once it is clear of runners. Please combine transport as much as possible. Marshals at the bottom of the hill will be checking vehicles and will only allow vehicles through that are displaying the team sticker, which will be in your race pack. Please be patient and obey the marshals instructions.
Spectators will not be allowed to go up to the transition. There are many other places where you can watch the race without causing any congestion.

Conditions of Entry

1. All competitors, fully understanding all the inherent hazards, compete at their own risk.
2. The organisers will not accept liability for any personal injury or mishap during the event that is caused by the competitor’s actions, inaction, negligence or unacceptable behaviour.
3. All competitors must read, understand and accept the possible hazards associated with this event.
4. All Mt Isobel Challenge competitors must be 14 years and over on race day, and be of sufficient fitness to complete the course that they enter.
5. The organisers reserve the right to withdraw from the race any competitor who shows signs of severe fatigue or injury during the race.
6. All competitors must dress sufficiently for the conditions and weather likely to be experienced during the race. Remember Hanmer Springs is an alpine village and weather conditions change very rapidly. Those competitors on the run section remember you are going up to over 1300m.
7. All Bikes must pass a Bike Check before race day.
8. All competitors on the bike section must carry sufficient gear for the conditions and weather likely to be experienced during the race. Bike helmets must be worn.
9. Race officials must be obeyed and have the right to stop the race or disqualify any competitor. (see cut off time)
10. Competitors must follow the route as described and marked by the organisers, visiting the 2 checkpoints, (Mt. Isobel summit and Jacks Pass), in the correct order
11. Runners must wear their race number on their chest, to be visible at all times, and ensure it is recorded at both checkpoints. Bikers will have a separate number to be attached to the front of their bike.
12. No litter is to be dropped on the course.
13. We hope (weather permitting) to position portaloos on Jacks Pass. These must be used rather than the surrounding bushes.
14. All competitors must attend the race brief.
15. All competitors must sign the Risk Disclosure form as proof they have read and fully understand the potential risks/hazards/dangers that may be encountered during the event. This will be available at registration.
16. All competitors (ie both members of a team) must sign the indemnity on the entry form, which states that you have read, understood and agree to these conditions of entry.

Typical hazards may include:

Run (8 km / 1000m ascent) From the Domain, up Clarence Valley Rd to Pawsons Rd where the Mt Isobel track is followed to the summit. Return along the ridge to follow the poled route to the transition at Jacks Pass.

Bike (approx 22 km) Down Clarence Valley Rd, turn right onto Clarence River Rd, then turn right up Jollies Pass Rd. After ½ km approx, turn left onto the pylon track (Groan Hill) and follow this to regain Jollies Pass Rd, which is followed to the top and all the way down to turn right into McIntyre Rd. You then turn left on Jolliffe Rd, right onto Pawson Rd, and left on Clarence Valley Rd to finish back at the Domain.

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