X-Man UK
Race Manual
Version 2.1
Publication Date
February 2012
Contents
1. Overview
2. Course Description
3. Provisional Program
4. Prices
5. Cancellation Rules
6. Cut Offs
7. Rules
8. Course Changes
9. Checkpoints and Transition Areas
10. Supporting and Spectating
The First Fully Off-Road Iron Distance Triathlon
So you thought Ironman was a challenge? To complete the X-Man you have to
be a real animal.
The X-Man is for anyone that lives to push beyond accepted limits, break boundaries,
and never, never, never gives up.
X-Man takes the standard long distance triathlon format and turns the volume up to
eleven. Challenging terrain and spectacular landscapes result is an epic challenge of
super-human endurance and tenacity that makes those that succeed worthy indeed
of the X-Man title.
Participants are required to make a non-stop journey on gruelling off-road terrain
across awe inspiring natural landscapes with serious vertical gain. Much of the bike
leg takes place during hours of darkness and aside from water athletes must be
nutritionally self sufficient from start to finish.
Distances:
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Swim 2.4 mile (3.86 km) open water sea swim
Bike 112 mile (180.25 km) multi-terrain - mostly off-road
26.2 mile (42.195 km) mostly off-road
Note: As with all Endurancelife events emphasis is given to quality of the course over
accuracy of mileage. We do not obsess over exact distances, but we are fanatical
about creating and facilitating the best possible experiences. The X-Man is an uncontrived natural journey that is the UK's newest and toughest extreme endurance
challenge. Distances are given as a guide only and should not be relied upon for
accuracy. Be sure of one thing only - this will be tough, and we guarantee that you
will NOT be begging for more IF you finish.
Expect:
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Serious vertical gain
Gruelling (mostly off-road) terrain
Awe inspiring landscapes
Linear journey*
Self-sufficient style**
To find this the toughest thing you have ever done
* As opposed to circular or clover leaf course.
** Between transitions athletes must carry all their own food and equipment.
Additional water will only be available at designated checkpoints. The checkpoints
will also have a limited range of snacks – This food supply is to be treated as backup
only.
2. Course description
Start: Eastbourne Seafront – Princes Park
Swim leg: 2.4 mile (3.86 km) open water sea swim.
T1: Eastbourne Seafront – Western Lawns
Bike leg: 112 miles (180.25 km) mostly off-road, mostly
night. Follows the entire length of the South Downs Way
plus a little bit more.
T2: Winchester Cathedral
Run leg: 26.2 mile (42.195 km) mostly off-road following
the ancient and stunning Clarendon Way that connects
the two greatest cathedrals in England.
Finish: Old Sarum (North of Salisbury)
The South Downs Way (bike route)
Wide grassy or flinty tracks on chalk downland. 100% within the newly designated
South Downs National Park. The western part of the downs is rolling farmland, the
West Sussex Downs are dominated by a steep, often wooded scarp with views
across the Weald below, while the East Sussex Downs are classic open grassland.
Clarendon Way (run route)
The Clarendon Way crosses the Test Valley between Kings Somborne and
Houghton. It starts beside the waters of the Itchen in the heart of Winchester and
ends near the Avon at Salisbury Cathedral. It provides a splendid variety of scenery
along the way, ranging from the water meadows of the valleys with their charming
villages through woodland to downlands with far-ranging views.
Highlights
Winchester Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Parham
Deer Park, Chanctonbury Ring, Dew Ponds, Adur Valley, Devils Dyke, Ditchling
Beacon, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age monuments, Long Man of Wilmington, Ouse
valley, Cuckmere Haven, Seven Sisters, Beachy Head.
Course Navigation
The South Downs Way is clearly marked with the ‘South Downs Way Public
Bridleway ‘ Acorn sign but you are responsible for your own navigation along the
course and we recommend you familiarise yourself with the route prior to the event
and possibly load the route into a GPS devise.
We will be posting some links on the main events website with more information
about the cycle route to help you with this. We will also mark any confusing sections
of the course.
3. Provisional Program
The following information is provided to give a guide as to how the event will flow.
Up-to-date race day programmes will be published in later versions of this document.
Friday
12:00
14:00 - 16:00
16:00
17:00 - 18:30
18:30
19:15
19:30
21:30
Saturday
01:30
05:30
09:30
13:30
Transport departs from finish to Eastbourne (£25 optional extra)
Registration at Western Lawns
Race Brief – attendance compulsory
Bike Racking and T2-bags check in
Competitor transfer to swim start at Princes Park
Personal items check-in (to transfer to finish) at Princes Park
Swim start
T1 Closes (swim cut-off)
Check Point/Fuelling Station 1 cut-off (at approx 25miles)
Check Point/Fuelling Station 2 cut-off (at approx 50miles)
Check Point/Fuelling Station 3 cut-off (at approx 75miles)
T2 Closes (bike section cut-off)
Check Point/Fuelling Station 1 (at approx 6miles into run, no cut-off)
Check Point/Fuelling Station 2 (at approx 12miles into run, no cut-off)
Check Point/Fuelling Station 3 (at approx 18miles into run, no cut-off)
Finishers Buffet/BBQ at Salisbury Rugby Club
19:30
Course Closes
19:30 – 20:00 Bike & T-bags Collection
Sunday
09:30
Presentations and Finishers T-Shirts at Salisbury Rugby Club
4. Prices
The entry fee for X-Man UK 2012 is £315
This includes:●
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Professional events management
Public Liability Insurance
Support service
Professional Medical Team Support
Swim hat
Race numbers
Electronic Timing
Transition bags
Finishers T-shirt
Service at Transition zones, checkpoints and finish
Transportation off the course if you are unable to continue*
Finishers Buffet/BBQ and shower facilities
T-bag transportation to Winchester and Finish
Bike transportation to Finish
Finishers Medal
Optional extras (not included):●
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Pre-event transport from finish to start on Friday (£25)
Accommodation**
*See Cut-offs (Section 6)
**we will be publishing some accommodation options shortly but advise that you stay
in the Salisbury area.
5. Cancellation rules
The entry fee is refundable, no matter what the cause of your cancellation, until April
1st, minus a deduction of an administration fee of £100.
After April 1 no refunds, will be given no matter what the reason.
Your X-Man place is strictly personal. It cannot be transferred, sold or given to
another person. Anyone who starts the event using the start number of another
person will be taken out of the race.
6. Cut Offs
Cut offs are in place for your safety. If you miss a cut-off you will not be allowed to
continue in the race even at your own risk.
Checkpoint
Location
Cut off time (elapsed time from start)
T1
Eastbourne
2hrs
T2
Winchester
18hrs
Finish
Old Sarum
24hrs
While the race is in flow the event crew’s responsibility is to ensure the smooth
running of the event for all those that are still participating in it. Competitors that do
not make the cut offs or competitors that have voluntarily dropped out at designated
checkpoints will be transported directly to the finish or holding point as soon as the
event crew is able to do so.
Bikes and T-bags belonging to anyone who has dropped out will be taken to the
finish and can be collected on Sunday morning. These items WILL NOT be available
before this time.
If you withdraw from the race at any point for any reason after the race briefing, it is
mandatory to inform the event crew immediately. A telephone number will be given to
you at the race briefing; this phone will be manned from the race briefing onwards.
7. Rules
Equipment
A full wetsuit is mandatory.
Your bike must be in good working order and be equipped with off-road tyres and
lights. We recommend either a cyclocross or mountain bike
Competitors must wear a helmet for the duration of the bike leg. Helmets must be
approved by a national accredited testing authority, or have the CE stamp.
Lights must be suitably bright for off-road riding and capable of providing ten hours of
continuous lighting.
Competitors must carry the following items for the duration of the duration of the bike
and run legs:●
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Mobile phone (fully charged and switched on)
Emergency whistle
Basic first aid kit including field dressing
Windproof jacket
Water Container
Nutrition
Medical
Medical crew and marshals may remove any competitor from the race at any time
during the race.
Liability
All competitors must sign a document of "release from Liability" before they receive
their start number.
Penalties
Race Marshalls can issue time penalties for athletes or disqualify either athlete or
support. The Event Director’s decision is final.
8. Course Changes
Weather, climate and other circumstances beyond our control can make course
changes necessary. The event organisers reserve the right to change or shorten the
course at any time.
The swim will be shortened if the water temperature is colder than 15 degrees C.
The swim course will be changed if the weather is bad; visibility is low, waves too
high, tide to strong or any other reason.
In exceptional circumstances it is possible that the swim leg will be completely
abandoned. If this happens a short run leg will take place at the beginning of the
event.
9. Checkpoints and Transition Areas
There will be a minimum of three manned checkpoints on the bike leg, and three
manned checkpoints on the run leg. Competitors will be required to “DIB IN” at all
checkpoints, transition areas, and the finish.
Competitors are responsible for their own hydration and must carry enough water
with them to cover 25 miles by bike and 8 miles on foot.
Competitors will be given three heavy duty plastic sacks at registration. T-bag A must
contain any kit that is required in T1, T-bag B must contain any kit required at T2 and
T-bag C must contain any personal items from the Start that you wish to be
transported to the Finish.
T-bag A will be stowed at T1 next to each competitor’s bike. Upon exiting the water
from the swim leg, each competitor must remove the items they need for the bike leg,
and leave their wetsuit, towel, goggles and any un-required items in the sack. This
will then be transported to the finish where it can be collected post event.
T-bag B should initially be packed with any items that are required for the run leg.
Once checked in it will be transported directly to T2 where it can be accessed
following successful completion of the bike leg. Any un-required cycling kit should be
deposited in it and the sack left with the competitors bike. All bikes and T-bags will be
transported to the finish where they can be collected post event.
T-bag C should be packed with any personal items at the start line, this bag will be
transported to the finish where it can be collected post event.
Only numbered bikes and official T-bags will be transported to the finish. No loose
items will be accepted. All T-bags must be sealed with a cable-tie which will be
provided and all items must fit inside the T-bags.
10. Supporting and Spectating
The X-Man format has been designed to eliminate the need for individual support
persons thus reducing the environmental impact of the event and making it possible
for individuals to take part without requiring the support of friends and family.
The official event support team will make sure that your kit is where it needs to be,
and as long as you follow the guidance you will be able to complete the event in a
totally self-sufficient style.
If you do not have someone to drive you to the start and collect you from the finish,
we recommend that you park your car at the finish on Friday morning and take the
transport option.
Spectators are welcome at T1 Eastbourne Seafront, T2 Winchester Cathedral and
the Finish at Old Sarum, but are discouraged from the rest of the course due to traffic
congestion that makes it difficult for the official support team to function effectively.
All enquiries:Email. support@endurancelife.com
Tel. 01548853524