The Big Red Desert Challenge - Simpson Desert May 2009

DESCRIPTION

Teams of walkers and runners will cross 240 kilometres of the Simpson Desert, one of the world’s most rugged and beautiful regions. The route will take participants across the sand dunes and away from vehicle tracks.

Participants will carry a pack with their daily food, water and safety gear. Race organisers will transport participant’s camping gear and food to each overnight camp.

Participants need to be trained and fit to average 40km per day for six days.

Generous cut off times of 14.5 hours each day mean that walkers need to average faster than 2.75km/hour to complete each day.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Thu 21 May Fly to Alice Springs. Overnight hotel.

DAY 2 Fri 22 May 3am depart hotel, drive to event START (camp)

DAY 3 Sat 23 May Walk day 1 walk Colson to Erebena (camp)

DAY 4 Sun 24 May Walk day 2 walk Erebena to Lake Tamsin (camp)

DAY 5 Mon 25 May Walk day 3 walk Lake T to Poeppel Corner (camp)

DAY 6 Tue 26 May Walk day 4 walk PC to NP Saltbush camp (camp)

DAY 7 Wed 27 May Walk day 5 walk Saltbush to Eyre Creek (camp)

DAY 8 Thu 28 May Walk day 6. Finish. Awards. Overnight in Birdsville

DAY 9 Fri 29 May Fly Birdsville to Brisbane

TEAM EVENT

Minimum team size = Two walkers/runners
Maximum team size = Six walkers/runners

Teams MUST stay together at all times. Teams found with members separated by more than 100m will be disqualified from the race and will not be allowed to complete the course.

In the event of an injury and with permission from race organisers teams may change or merge during the event.

WATER ALLOWANCE

Each individual must bring their own 10 litre plastic container. Each participant will receive 10 litres of water each morning. Participants must start each day with a minimum of 4 litres water but they can decide how much of their remaining 6 litres to carry through the day and how much to save for breakfast and dinner.

You must clearly label your water container. Your container must be put with your Team Crate each morning for transport to the next camp.

CAMPING

Race entrants are to supply and prepare their own meals, do their own cooking and cleaning of cooking pots, dishes etc.

Event organisers will supply water each day and will transport each team’s kit (camping gear, food, spare shoes etc) to each day’s camp. Entrant’s camping gear will be delivered to each day’s camp site.

Entrants will sleep under the stars on a groundsheet supplied by organisers.

Entrants to supply their own sleeping bag and mattress.

If it rains the organisers will provide basic shared tent space for each entrant.

Organisers will supply:

10 litres of water each morning. Entrants can decide how much to carry while walking, how much to use for breakfast and how much to keep for dinner.
Washing up water, dishwashing soap and pot scrubbers at each campsite.
Ground sheet for each team to sleep on.
Camp toilet.

CLASSIFYING FINISHERS

Participants that finish before the cut off time each day and who complete the entire course will be classed as a CLASS 1 FINISH. Participants that complete the course but who have missed a cut-off time will be classed as CLASS 2 FINISH. Participants who are disqualified or who do not complete the entire course will be classed as DID NOT FINISH.

All participants will receive an event T-shirt and certificate with your finishing classification.

TOILETING

Each of the race camps will have a basic outdoor toilet set up for the use of entrants. Participants will be instructed in minimum impact toileting procedures to use while walking in the desert between camps.

PARTICIPANTS

All entrants and teams will need to be self-contained in regard to preparing their meals and snacks and to looking after minor first aid such as foot care during the event.

Entrants will carry a small rucksack with their food, water and safety gear. When entrants register they will receive detailed course notes and an equipment list.

NO TEAM SUPPORT CREWS

Entrants will need to be self sufficient for minor first aid needs, cooking, and camping. Race organisers will have staff at each camp. Teams are not permitted to have their own support teams for this event.

Any team seen receiving assistance from other people will be disqualified and evacuated to Birdsville.

	THE BIG RED DESERT CHALLENGE Simpson Desert – Australia – May 2009

	The world's toughest desert challenge. Six days and 240km across the largest parallel sand dune desert on Earth. HOME GENERAL INFO ROUTE COST EQUIPMENT - DAY USE EQUIPMENT - CAMPING WHAT'S INCLUDED SAFETY FIRST AID & MEDICAL TRAVEL & ACCOMM WITHDRAWING ORGANISERS - JUDGING RULES PHOTOS MAP AND CLIMATE SLOW OPTION CONTACT US (Aust) 02 4784 1029 (Int) 61 2 4784 1029 lucas@escalade.com.au			DESCRIPTION Teams of walkers and runners will cross 240 kilometres of the Simpson Desert, one of the world’s most rugged and beautiful regions. The route will take participants across the sand dunes and away from vehicle tracks. Participants will carry a pack with their daily food, water and safety gear. Race organisers will transport participant’s camping gear and food to each overnight camp. Participants need to be trained and fit to average 40km per day for six days. Generous cut off times of 14.5 hours each day mean that walkers need to average faster than 2.75km/hour to complete each day. ITINERARY DAY 1 Thu 21 May Fly to Alice Springs. Overnight hotel. DAY 2 Fri 22 May 3am depart hotel, drive to event START (camp) DAY 3 Sat 23 May Walk day 1 walk Colson to Erebena (camp) DAY 4 Sun 24 May Walk day 2 walk Erebena to Lake Tamsin (camp) DAY 5 Mon 25 May Walk day 3 walk Lake T to Poeppel Corner (camp) DAY 6 Tue 26 May Walk day 4 walk PC to NP Saltbush camp (camp) DAY 7 Wed 27 May Walk day 5 walk Saltbush to Eyre Creek (camp) DAY 8 Thu 28 May Walk day 6. Finish. Awards. Overnight in Birdsville DAY 9 Fri 29 May Fly Birdsville to Brisbane TEAM EVENT Minimum team size = Two walkers/runners Maximum team size = Six walkers/runners Teams MUST stay together at all times. Teams found with members separated by more than 100m will be disqualified from the race and will not be allowed to complete the course. In the event of an injury and with permission from race organisers teams may change or merge during the event. WATER ALLOWANCE Each individual must bring their own 10 litre plastic container. Each participant will receive 10 litres of water each morning. Participants must start each day with a minimum of 4 litres water but they can decide how much of their remaining 6 litres to carry through the day and how much to save for breakfast and dinner. You must clearly label your water container. Your container must be put with your Team Crate each morning for transport to the next camp. CAMPING Race entrants are to supply and prepare their own meals, do their own cooking and cleaning of cooking pots, dishes etc. Event organisers will supply water each day and will transport each team’s kit (camping gear, food, spare shoes etc) to each day’s camp. Entrant’s camping gear will be delivered to each day’s camp site. Entrants will sleep under the stars on a groundsheet supplied by organisers. Entrants to supply their own sleeping bag and mattress. If it rains the organisers will provide basic shared tent space for each entrant. Organisers will supply: 10 litres of water each morning. Entrants can decide how much to carry while walking, how much to use for breakfast and how much to keep for dinner. Washing up water, dishwashing soap and pot scrubbers at each campsite. Ground sheet for each team to sleep on. Camp toilet. CLASSIFYING FINISHERS Participants that finish before the cut off time each day and who complete the entire course will be classed as a CLASS 1 FINISH. Participants that complete the course but who have missed a cut-off time will be classed as CLASS 2 FINISH. Participants who are disqualified or who do not complete the entire course will be classed as DID NOT FINISH. All participants will receive an event T-shirt and certificate with your finishing classification. TOILETING Each of the race camps will have a basic outdoor toilet set up for the use of entrants. Participants will be instructed in minimum impact toileting procedures to use while walking in the desert between camps. PARTICIPANTS All entrants and teams will need to be self-contained in regard to preparing their meals and snacks and to looking after minor first aid such as foot care during the event. Entrants will carry a small rucksack with their food, water and safety gear. When entrants register they will receive detailed course notes and an equipment list. NO TEAM SUPPORT CREWS Entrants will need to be self sufficient for minor first aid needs, cooking, and camping. Race organisers will have staff at each camp. Teams are not permitted to have their own support teams for this event. Any team seen receiving assistance from other people will be disqualified and evacuated to Birdsville.