Information and Rules

2009 ORCA Karapiro Half Ironman and Ironkids Duathlon

On behalf of the event organizers, sponsors and volunteers who make this event possible we welcome you to the first Orca Karapiro Half Ironman and Ironkids Duathlon!

We thank you for entering and we know that you will have a fantastic experience here on a truly unique course in a magnificent setting.

We have done everything that we can to ensure that you leave Cambridge on the 14th November with great memories of our event so we wish you good training, great health and an absolutely amazing day. ENJOY!

Information

All event information is available on the event website however you are welcome to email us at info@karapirohalfironman.co.nz with questions about the event.
Also keep an eye on the latest news posted on the home page of the website.

Entry

To enter the Orca Karapiro Half Ironman or the Ironkids Duathlon you must visit the event website www.karapirohalfironman.co.nz complete the entry form and make your payment online.
Confirmation of payment will be given to you automatically at the time of entry. We advise you to print this and retain a copy.
Entry fees are non refundable. If you withdraw from the event for any reason or if the event is modified in any way or cancelled due to weather conditions making it unsafe to carry out the event your entry fee is not refunded.
If you withdraw before the 30th October you may have your entry transferred to the 2010 event.

Event HQ

Event HQ will be in the MIGHTY RIVER POWER marquee on the “Village Square” opposite the town hall on Victoria St, Cambridge.
This is approx 50m from T2 and the finish line and will be the venue for Registration, Body Marking, Sponsors Expo, Information, the “post race feed and drink zone” and prize giving.

Product Expo

During the event there will be a sales and promotional area set up in Event HQ where sponsors and supporters will be displaying a range of products that you may like to enjoy. This is open to all competitors and spectators alike and you will see some of the best of bikes, clothing, wetsuits, nutrition and accessories on display and available to purchase or order.
Open Friday 13th from 2pm - 7pm and Saturday from 6am - 4pm

Farmers Market

The Cambridge Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings from 8am – 1pm and will be right next door to Event HQ.
The Market stallholders have been very cooperative in sharing their space with us so show them your appreciation and take some of their wonderful range of fresh food and produce home with you.

Course Maps

Course maps are downloadable from the event website.
Enlarged maps will be on display at Registration.
Course descriptions are available later in these information notes

Pre Event Bike and Helmet Checks

Save yourself some potential heartache and get your bike serviced before the event.
Take it to your bike shop to make sure that bars, stems and saddle are tight and secure.
Also make sure that your brakes work properly and that you have plenty of life left in your brake pads and tyres.
If you wish to have your bike checked before race day you can do so at VeloSport, 4 Albert St, Cambridge or at your local store so that transition entry checks are a formality.
Helmets must be standards approved, hardshell, no cracks or splits and the harness must be secure in the shell. If in doubt, bring some money and buy a new one at the Expo.

Event Schedule

Friday 13th

2.00pm Registration and Expo opens
- Bike and helmet checks
- Body Marking
6.00pm Race Briefing starts
- Bike checks finish
7.00pm Registration and Expo closes

Saturday 14th

5.30am Registration and body marking opens at Event HQ
6.00am Transition opens at Lake (T1)
- Bike checks at T1
6.45am Registration closes
6.45am Body marking continues at T1
7.20am Transition (T1) closes and bike checks finish
7.30am Move to start pontoon 2km up river.
7.55am 5min warning hooter Individuals
8.00am Individuals start
8.10am 5min warning hooter Teams
8.15am Teams start
9.45am Orca Swim Course closes
1.30pm Orbea Bike Course closes
(Victoria St closure in place until 4.00pm)
3.30pm Leppin Sport Run Course closes
- All gear removed from transition (T2)
- All gear from T1 collected from Race HQ (bracelet ID required).
4.00pm Transition packed up and roads open
5.00pm Prize Giving @ Event HQ

Race Registration

Friday 13th

2.00pm – 7.00pm

Saturday 14th

5.30am – 6.45am
You must register during these times or you will not be allowed to race.
Body numbering will be done at registration and at T1 between 6.45am – 7.30am on Race Day.
You will be given your race numbers, event swim cap, transition gear bags, timing transponder and race pack. You will be issued with an ATHLETE ID BAND which should remain on your wrist until after the awards ceremony.
Only athletes with this band will be allowed access into transition and therefore to race.
In the event that any queries arise over athlete identification, photo ID will be required as verification. Please bring some with you.
Body Marking is available Friday at registration. Save time on race morning get pre-marked. You must be body marked before you will be allowed access to transition on race morning.

Race Briefing

Pre Race briefing for all individuals and teams will be at 6.00pm at Event HQ on Friday 13th November.
All competitors must attend to ensure that they are familiar with any changes to the event courses, rules or conditions.
Presenting yourself to the start line will be deemed to be acknowledgment of all rules, course information and safety warnings.

Event Bike and Helmet Checks

If you are local please try to get you bikes and helmets checked and stickered in the week prior to the event at VeloSport, (SH1), Cambridge between 8.00am and 5.00pm
Bike and helmet checks must be done before your bike is allowed to enter Transition!
Friday 13th
2.00pm – 6.00pm @ the Race HQ registration marquee
Saturday
6.00am – 7.20am @ Lake Karapiro transition (T1)
Bikes should have been checked and serviced at your bike store in the week before the event so that the event bike check is a formality. Please don’t leave it until the last minute.
Bike repairs will be available at the event bike check locations but will only be done if time permits and all repairs will be charged for.

Bikes must be in safe working condition and have as a minimum –

A properly functioning braking system with adequate safe brake pad depth.
Tyres must have sufficient tread
Bars, stems, seat posts and head sets must all be securely fitted and adjusted.

Helmets must be –

Hard shell
Standards approved
Have securely closing buckles
The helmet shell and liner must be in good condition, no cracks or splits and the liner must be securely fixed to the shell.

Bikes that fail the check will not be allowed into transition.

BIKE & HELMET NUMBERING

You will be given 4 numbered stickers in your race pack (in addition to two pin on race numbers).
One is for your helmet, one for your bike and two for your transition bags.
Helmet numbers must be stuck securely across the front of your helmet so as to be visible from the front at all times
Bike numbers are to be folded around your seat-post and attached to your bike. This number is used by the technical staff and must be visible from a motorbike that will pass you on your right.

Race Numbers

You will be supplied with two pin on race numbers.
Your race numbers must be secured to your upper body clothing(front and back) or on a race belt.
Race belts must be worn at waist height throughout the race.
Numbers must be clearly visible at all times showing from the rear on the bike course and from the front on the run course. Numbers must not be folded or reduced in size in any way as the Timing team and crew need to note your race race number each time that you pass.

Transition Bags

All INDIVIDUAL competitors will be issued with 2x numbered gear bags/bins when you register at the Event HQ Marquee.
It is your responsibility to leave all of your required run leg gear in one numbered bag/bin at the designated area of T2 transition exit on Saturday morning before leaving for the Lake. Maps will be on display at registration and marshalls will assits you.
The second bag/bike is required at T1 at the Lake. You must place all of your swim gear securely in the bag/bin before un-racking your bike.
Your swim gear will be available for collection at Event HQ at the completion of the event. Only competitors may collect this gear and you must have your ID bracelet and number before gear will be handed over.

Transition Security

Only official race staff and competitors with an ID band are permitted inside transition at any time.
Please assist us and the position of security staff by advising your friends and family.

Age Categories

The official age categories for both men and women Individual Competitors for the Orca Karapiro Half Ironman are as follows -

18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+.
Secondary Schools and Corporate Teams are Mixed, Male and Female (no age groups)

Teams age groups are as follows -

Open Teams are age grouped according to the total age of the 3 team members: under75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-140, 141-155, 156-170, 171+
If the team is a 2 person team the age will be combined age plus the youngest members age.

Timing

The event will use electronic timing.
Each competitor will be issued with a transponder which must be attached by the Velcro band to your left ankle.
You will receive this band at registration where an identification checkpoint is set up to ensure all competitors have the correct transponder.
A $50 replacement cost will be charged for lost transponders.
In the event of your band being lost during the race, you must report to timing personnel at transition before starting the next leg and a replacement will be issued.

Body Marking

Body marking will be available at registration on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday morning from 5.30am and at Lake Karapiro T1 from 6.45am-7.20am.
All individual and team members must be marked before be allowed access to transition. We ask teams to allow individuals to take priority if there are queues.

Teams Rules

The Teams start times are as per the Event Schedule
The Teams “Tag” takes place with the swap of timing transponder from team member to team member within the designated area in transition.
The transponder must be worn on the left ankle of each competitor during their leg of the event.
The “Tag Zone” for swim-cycle change over will take place before the entry to transition to avoid congestion with Individual competitors.
The “Tag Zone” for the cycle-run change over will take place outside the exit from transition to avoid congestion with Individual competitors.
Runners will collect an elastic wrist band at the end of each lap except the final (4th) lap when you will cross the finish line.
Team members are responsible for collecting all of their gear from T1 and bringing it back to town.

Spot Prizes

$10,000 worth of spot prizes will be drawn at prize giving using computer generated random number selection.
You must be present to collect your prize when drawn or it will go back into the prize pool

Car Parking

Lake Karapiro

There is ample competitor and spectator parking at the designated areas at Lake Karapiro. Please park in the sign posted areas.
There is no parking at the swim start so competitors and supporters are encouraged to walk to the start (2km) or use the buses provided.
Buses to the start line leave T1 at 7.30am precisely

Cambridge

There are 200 car parks in Hally’s Lane carpark (behind the shops alongside the finish line) which can be accessed off Duke St or Alpha St
By using Hally’s Lane carparks you are within 100m of registration, T2 and the finishline.
There is also a lot of parking around the Village Square

Fast Arms & Legs Awards

Prizes will be awarded to for the fastest overall swim time, fastest bike time and fastest run – Male and Female Individuals and Male, Female and Mixed Teams

Local Competitors

A special prize will be awarded to the first Waipa resident (male and female) and the first Waipa Team (mixed, male, female – all members must be Waipa residents).

The Waipa includes Cambridge & Te Awamutu and the surrounding District.

Swim Course

The swim course is down the World Rowing Championships Course before turning around the bouy and finishing at the boat ramp.
The start line is 2km up stream from T1
Entry to the swim start will be sign posted.
No vehicles are permitted into the site.
Competitors will assemble on the starting pontoon at least 5 minutes before the allocated start time.
Competitors may dive start from the pontoon or start in the water with one hand holding the pontoon.
An alternative “box” course may be used if Lake or other conditions deem this necessary.
If the alternative course is used the swim will start and finish at the boat ramp at Karapiro Domain.

General Swim Rules

Each swimmer must wear the cap provided at registration and start in the correct point.
No fins, paddles, snorkels or flotation devices of any kind are permitted other than wetsuits which must be no more than 5mm in thickness.
Wetsuits are optional.
A competitor may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy or stationary kayak however a competitor may not use the inanimate object to gain an advantage.
Swimmers exit the swim course anti clockwise around the furthest bouy and up to the boat ramp.
The swim course is patrolled by the Boatshed Kayaks and the Karapiro Kayak Club.
If you experience any difficultly or distress or see any other competitors in difficulty please raise your hand.

Bike Course

The cycle leg leaves the Karapiro Domain, turning right onto Maungatautari Rd and heading back towards Leamington which is the Western suburb of Cambridge before heading around Maungatautari.

The Maunga (Mountain) is an important cultural, historical and environmental site within the Region and is the location of the 3400ha Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust which is contained within 50km of pest proof fence.

0.0km Exit transition and follow the Domain driveway to Gate 3.
0.3km out of Domain (approx 6km of flat)
5.5km veer right towards Leamington
7.5km km left turn onto Carlyle St
8.0km continue straight, becomes Rotoorangi Rd
12km left onto Norwegian Rd
18km left onto Rotoorangi Rd
23km left onto Parklands Rd (caution on the downhill righthand bend @ 28km)
30km right onto Monkton Rd
33km left onto Arapuni Rd (some nice little “blips”)
44km aid station @ Out In The Sticks Cafe, Pukeatua
52km left onto Oreipunga Rd (rolling)
straight ahead onto Maungatautari Rd (getting flatter)
past Lake Karapiro to Leamington (flat)
85km veer right onto Browning St (urban – Caution)
86km right onto Shakespeare St (urban - Caution)
87km left at roundabout onto Cook St (hard left)
87.5km right at roundabout onto Victoria Bridge (hard right, camber angle bad)
88km onto Victoria St (main street, take care!)
89km Straight ahead at roundabout to transition (T2) near BNZ

General Bike Rules

All roads are OPEN
Normal NZ Road Code rules will apply during the event. Cyclists must be aware that all other normal road users will be on the course and expect your courtesy and co-operation.
Race numbers must be visible from the rear while you are on your bike.
Failure to wear your race numbers may result in your disqualification.
A race number must be visible on the front of your cycle helmet at all times and a race number (fixed to your seat post)must be visible on your bike.
No headsets or ear/head phones are to be worn.
No riding in transition – push your bike over the timing mats when exiting and entering the transition at the “mount/dismount” line.
Helmets must be Standards approved and are required to be worn during the entire bike leg. Helmets must be secured before you remove your bike from the rack in transition and must remain secured throughout the entire cycle course, and the strap must not be undone until you have racked your bike.
DRAFTING is not permitted – The penalty time for the infringement of rules is two minutes that may be applied by Officials “on the road” or at Transition (T2).
Competitors who withdraw during the race must notify the officials in the timing tent at the finish line immediately upon their return.

ORBEA BIKE STATION

The bike support station will be positioned at “Out In The Sticks Café” at approx 45km.
Liquids - Water, Leppin Enduro Booster Lemon & Lime or Orange
This is a refill station only!

Service

Mechanical support on the bike course will be managed by VeloSport. There will be a mobile crew to provide a pick up service and support. Their role is to enable tubes and tyres to be exchanged for damaged ones and to lend tyre levers and spanners etc if required.
The service crew will not be following the leaders but will “roam” the course.
Tyres and Tubes will only be supplied to competitors carrying used spares to swap i.e. YOU must be prepared!
All competitors must start with at least one spare tube.
No exchange wheels will be supplied.
Competitors will be required to pay for any tubes or spare parts received during the event. This payment can be made at the awards ceremony.

Run Course (2 laps out and back) Please note that ALL ROADS ARE OPEN on the run course!

Note: the run has been changed to a 2 lap mout and back course due to difficulties confirming a course with LTSA consultants Opus who manage the Traffic Management approvals.

The course now runs over the bridge into Leamington and heads west towards Te Awamutu and Kaipaki on some very scenic country roads.

Drink stations will now be located on the course at approx 2km intervals.

Exit transition (T2) outside ANZ heading North towards registration marquee
Individuals collect numbered gear bag from marshals and change footwear etc at the change zone outside T2
Straight to Westpac roundabout and turn left onto Alpha St (LHS)
Left onto Dick St (LHS)
Left turn Duke St (cross to RHS when safe)
Right turn into Wilson St (RHS)
Right turn Victoria St (RHS)
Cross Victoria Bridge using RHS footpath (closed to pedestrians)
Right turn at end of bridge onto Pope Tce
follow path and road verge (RHS) to Cambridge Rd (rural)
Right turn Kaipaki Rd to turn @ 5km mark and turn
Retrace run course to complete run lap turn adjacent to finish line.
Complete lap 2
Finish run down RHS finishing chute to FINISH LINE near ANZ!

Drink Stations – Leppin Sport Run

#1 drink station will be situated at the start/finish turnaraound
#2 drink Station will be situated on Cambridge Rd at approx 2km
#3 drink station will be situated at the run turn around at 5.25km

1st Aid

Orca Swim Leg

1st Aid personnel will be at the swim start, on the water in a power boat and at the swim exit.

Orbea Bike Leg

Ambulance will be on the course as well as the VeloSport Service Van and Traffic Management crews.
Cell phone coverage is generally OK on the bike course and a contact list of emergency phone numbers will be included in your race pack.

Leppin Sport Run Leg

A 1st Aid station will be set up near the finish line with a Doctor and Nurse on duty.
The Ambulance will also service the run leg.

General Rules Race Rules

The Orca Karapiro Half Ironman is run generally under the TriNz rules. Please see the TriNZ website for more details.
Please ensure the transponder is attached to your ankle on
race morning. The band must not be removed during the entire race.
If you are forced to withdraw at any stage you must report to the timing tent at the finish line as soon as possible and return the transponder.
Failure to do so will cause delays in issuing official results.
Do not cross timing pads unless doing so as part of the race at the entry or exit from transitions and when you cross the finish line.
Good sportsman-like conduct is expected of all competitors.
Competitors may not compete with a bare torso.
Competitors may not wear headsets or headphones at any time during the event.
Competitors should write on the reverse of their race number any important medical and emergency contact information for use in the case of emergency.
Under no circumstances can a competitor swap timing devices with any other athlete.
The responsibility for knowing and keeping on the correct course rests entirely with the competitor.
Any protests regarding decisions made by Race Officials must be made in person, in writing and be received by the Race Director or Race Referee within one hour of the competitor finishing the event.
For a full version of the TRINZ rules which provide the basis for the rules of this event please see www.triathlon.org.nz

Changes Due to Bad Weather

A final decision if the swim will proceed will take place a 7.00am or as soon as practicable with daylight. This announcement will be made via the event PA system and will also be posted at Event HQ.
In the event that weather conditions cause the swim to be cancelled the race will revert to a Duathlon.
The race will then start from T2 at the same start times as for the Half
The initial first run is 5.2km which is one lap of the run course.
The remainder of the event remains as per the original race with a 90km bike and 21km run.
If weather conditions prevent the bike leg from taking place due to safety concerns then the event will be cancelled.

Contact:

Event HQ,
PO Box 84,
Cambridge

Race Director,
Errol Newlands
0274769373