TreX Port Stephens

The answer to this question is an overwhelming “NO!”

The national TreX X-Triathlon series has been running for thirteen years and currently welcomes all manner of participants from 6 years to 80, from those who have never taken part in a triathlon, to mums, dads and families, weekend warriors and those who just love the outdoors and want to try something new.

It really is a family event and offers something for all level of participants including:

Dirt Kids (6-11yrs)

A non-competitive event for 6 to 11 year olds. Typical distances include 50m Swim, 1km XC MTB and 500m Run.

Junior (10-15yrs) Course

This is an event designed for younger participants and new participants who want to come and try a x-triathlon for the first time in a shorter event format.  Distances typically include 150m Swim, 5km XC MTB & 2km Trail Run.

Teaser (16+yrs) Course

This is an event designed for new participants who want to come and try a x-triathlon for the first time in a shorter event format.  Distances typically include 150m Swim, 5km XC MTB & 2km Trail Run.

Sprint Course (14+yrs)

This course includes all the action of the long course event, but with a shorter distance.  Usually including a 400m Swim, 10-15km XC MTB and 4-6km Trail Run.

Standard Course (16+yrs)

The standard course is typically a 1,500m Swim, 30km Cross Country Mountain Bike and 10km Trail Run.

Although governed by the same rules and guidelines of on-road triathlon, there are some key differences:

The Swim

The swim course is quite similar to the on road version of the sport.  Competitors find themselves plunging into dams, lakes, rivers and the ocean and sometimes have to get in touch with their ‘dirty’ side as swim entries and exits can be muddy and boggy.  Reeds, lilies’ and sometimes wildlife can be a part of the swim leg in cross triathlon, which just adds to the adventure of the event.

The Mountain Bike Course

The mountain bike course is an eclectic combination of trails which can include fire trails and 4WD tracks, bush trails, sand. rocks and single track (no tarmac here!).  Each course is different and unlike road triathlons, a mountain bike course is very different every time you ride it.  It requires a combination of skill, speed, strength and strategy to stay at the pointy end of the field.

In the TreX series a lot of the course is suitable for new comers and those new to mountain biking, however there will also be technical sections to challenge riders mountain bike skills and to add a touch of excitement to the course.  If a rider does not feel confident, that’s fine, there’s always the option to walk the more technical sections (they are not usually too long) and start riding again when they feel comfortable.

Course distance can often be deceptive for those unfamiliar with mountain biking.  10km on a mountain bike track is very different to 10km on the road.  Riders must constantly be focussed on the trails as they twist and turn and challenge with pinchy climbs, log roll overs, bridges, rock gardens and water crossings.  There is no cruising or freewheeling when you get off road.  Each athlete must be in the moment and engaged with the course from start to finish.  Arguably, it is this element of the sport that keeps competitors coming back for more and more action.

No Such Thing as Drafting

Due to the nature of the mountain bike leg drafting does not come into play in the cross version of the sport.  However, courtesy on the mountain bike is governed by recognised mountain bike guidelines such as:

• Where possible riders must keep to the left of the trails and allow others to pass;
• When passing riders should alert the person in front with a friendly shout “On your left”, or “On your right” depending on which side they intend to pass; and
• When being passed, and it is safe to do so, riders will move to the left or right as requested.

The Trail Run

The trail run is where cross triathlon really shines by offering participants a true off-road experience.  Trail run courses cover some incredibly diverse terrain and showcases some of Australia’s most spectacular bush and coastal areas.

Typically the trail run includes trails, tracks, creek crossings, steep craggy ascents, rough descents, sandy banks, rocky scrambles and sometimes there’s no tracks at all!  This means that competitors must stay focused every step of the way as they challenge themselves to run, scramble and climb to the welcome site of the finish arch and an appreciative crowd at Race HQ

TreX has an Elite/Open Category.  This category is for those athletes wishing to race at a higher level of competition and typically includes athletes at the top level of the sport in Australia.  Any athlete wishing to race at a higher level of competition and take a step up from the age group competition is eligible to enter Open/Elite.

Where a prize purse is offered at events, this is awarded to winners in the Open/Elite Category.

For athletes considering entering the Open/Elite event, we recommend referring to results from previous years which will offer a good indication as to the typical standard for the Open/Elite category for a particular event.

TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA GUIDELINES

Open is a category that has prize money below the “Professional/Elite” threshold as per the TA Professional/Elite Licence Policy (ie Less than $10k). This category is open to professional and age group athletes. This applies to the majority of TreX events.

In the circumstance where a TreX event offers prize money greater than $10,000 the category will be defined as either “Professional” or “Elite”.  In this circumstance, prize money is only available to appropriate licenced athletes under the TA Professional/Elite Licence Policy.

There are a number of rules that govern the sport of Triathlon in general and specifically Cross Triathlon.

Triathlon Australia governs the sport within Australia and apply the rules at all TreX events, a copy of the rules can be viewed HERE.

Internationally the International Triathlon Union (ITU) governs all aspects of the sport of Triathlon, all international guidelines and rules can be found HERE.

• Numbers are limited at each event for participant safety and environmental reasons.
• When an event is sold out a notice will be posted on the NEWS PAGE of the TreX website.
• No entries will be accepted after the capacity has been reached.
• No ‘On The Day’ entries will be accepted when the event is full.
• Where possible event organisers will make every effort to advise participants when entries are close to capacity via TreX newsletters and on the NEWS PAGE of the website, however entries may close without notice.

Participants are required to be self sufficient for the event and will require the following equipment on the day:

• Off Road Trail Running Shoes
• Swimmers
• Goggles (if desired)
• Swimming Cap (At events where swim caps are provided in race packs, these swim caps must be worn during the swim leg)
• Mountain Bike – In good working order and with plugs in the handle bar ends.
• Bike Helmet – The bike helmet must be in good condition, fit correctly and meet Australian Safety Standards.
  Note: To ensure competitors safety, officials from Triathlon Australia will do a check of participants bikes and helmets before entering the transition area. If bikes and helmet do not meet the requires standards, competitors will not be able to take part in the event.
• Bike Shoes (if applicable)
• Hydration Pack or Water Bottles
• Running / Riding Shirt / Vest
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Towel
• Sun Lotion
• Insect Repellent
• Chairs to relax in after the event.

IMPORTANT: Due to the longer distance of the Standard Course, Competitors are highly recommended to carry at least 1 litres of water either in a hydration pack or in bike bottles with them on the Bike Course.

Race Bags usually include:

• An electronic timing chip on an ankle strap;
• A race number to be worn on the front of your torso for the run leg;
• A bike number to be attached to the front handle bars or stem of your bike;
• Special giveaways from our event partners (where applicable);

As stated in Triathlon Australia’s rules and regulations competitors are not permitted to race with any music devices including mobile phones, MP3 players, earphones etc. Competitors found with any device such as these will be disqualified.

Aid stations are made available on the trail run course approximately every 2 km and also at the Finish area. Competitors are expected to be self sufficient for water on the bike leg.

Please note at some events there is limited or no drinking water on site so on these occasions competitors are asked to being enough water and drinks for personal consumption to last before, during and after the race.

Yes, hydration packs can be worn. If you do decide to wear one though on either the bike or run leg you must keep it on until you return to the transition area at the end of the bike leg or cross the finish line at the end of the run leg. Dropping it off at anytime during either leg would incur a penalty.

In order to avoid having every competitor entering the water at the same time, competitors are divided into “waves” to give you plenty of room to swim and enter transition smoothly.

Waves will start at approximate 3 minute intervals.

Make sure you check the notice boards at Race HQ for your wave start time.

The water temperature will be measured by officials from Triathlon Australia. For age-group competitors, if the water is 22 degrees or above then it will be a non-wetsuit swim. If the water temperature is below 22 degrees competitors will be given the option of wearing a wetsuit.  This level is raised to 24.6 degrees for those in the 60+ categories.

It is not compulsory to wear a wetsuit if the water temperature is below 22 degrees.

As per the Triathlon Australia Race Rules, the temperature limits for the use of wetsuits and maximum time to be in the water can be found under Section 2 Swimming Conduct in the Race Rules here: AUS Triathlon Race Rules

You do not have to wear ‘clip in’ bike shoes.  Depending on your confidence and skill level on a mountain bike, ‘cages’ or standard flat pedals with running shoes are another options.

These may also speed up your transition times from bike to run.

You will require an off road bike as all the riding takes place on fire trails, dirt tracks and some single track.  The course is not suitable for a standard road bike.

GRAVEL / CYCLO CROSS BIKES

Gravel bikes are permitted by AUS Triathlon to be used at TreX, however, where this event is a National Championship, State Championship or WQE gravel / cyclo cross bike riders will not be eligible for National or State Championship awards or WQE qualification points.
They will however be eligible for TreX awards and prizes

A decision to cancel or reschedule an event will not be made lightly, however our main focus is competitor safety and respect for the environment in which we operate.  Sometimes situations outside of our control do result in this outcome.

• A decision on event cancellation or rescheduling may be made on the evening before or on the day of an event.
• If an event is cancelled a notice will be posted on the event website and social media channels.
• Full details of applicable credits in the case of a cancellation or rescheduling can be found in the Event Refund Policy

It is forbidden to participate in an event under another competitor’s name or to offer your entry to another participant. Transfer of entry to another competitor is not permitted. Details about changing entry details are outlined in the Event Transfer Policy

If you are unable to make the event full details are outlined in the EVENT REFUND POLICY outlining necessary actions and follow up in the case of an applicable refund or credit.

• Take some time to celebrate your achievements!
• Return you timing band to the marshals at the finish line.
• Grab some refreshments and fruit at the finish line.
• Complete our online ‘Post Event Survey’ form for an entry into the random prize draw.
• Grab a coffee and something to eat from our on site caterers
• Check out the great specials from our partners at the event expo.
• Chill out and catch up with other competitors and share your war stories as you cheer on your fellow competitors as they cross the finish line.
• Stick around for the presentations and random prize draw.  Who knows, you might just take out a prize yourself!

Check out your results on line on the Results page.

Where WiFi Access permits Live Results for events will be posted HERE.

• Staying for the presentations is not compulsory, however, it is a great way to finish the day and cheer on fellow competitors.  If you are unable to attend the presentation you will not be eligible for random draw prizes.
• Medals and prizes can only be given to the actual recipient at presentations, other persons can not collect them on behalf of the recipient.
• Please be aware that for safety reasons, at some events cars may not leave the car park area until the transition area is open and all competitors have completed the mountain bike leg.

If a prize winner is unable to stay for the Prize Giving Ceremony they can organise for their prize to be posted to them by contacting the team and sending a registered post bag (big enough for the prize, A4 recommended) with postage paid to the address below. Prizes must be claimed within 4 weeks of the event.

Please included the following Information in the envelope:

• Your Name
• The event you took part in
• Your Age Group / Category
• Your place

Please note this information must be included with the envelope so the applicable prize/ medallion to be identified.  If you do not include this information, unfortunately you won’t receive your medal and/or prize

Send to this Address

In 2 Adventure
PO Box 2003
Brookside Centre
Qld, 4053

Please Note:

• Due to past circumstances another person is not permitted to collect prizes and/or medallions for other people.  Only the actual winner is able to collect prizes and/or medallions.
• Only those at the presentations will be eligible for random draw prizes.
• Prizes and medallions are packed away in the event trailer post event.  Some events require travel and at times the trailer may not be available to be unpacked for up to 4 weeks post an event.   In some circumstances it can take up to this long for prizes and/or medallions to be distributed when participants are unable to stay for prize giving.

To become a member of AUS Triathlon visit their website at www.triathlon.org.au

There are many benefits including connection with your local club, qualified coaches and insurance for your training and racing

If you are not a Triathlon Australia Member for the season in which you are racing, you will need a One Day License.

One Day Licenses are automatically added to your entry at time of purchase if you do not enter a valid Triathlon Australia number at an additional cost.

One Day Licence (ODL) is a means by which participants who are not Triathlon Australia Annual Members, contribute to the costs of running the sport of triathlon.

It also ensures they are covered by an appropriate level of insurance while they are participating at events.

An option to take part as a team is offered for all triathlon courses including Teaser, Sprint and Standard.

The team can be made up of two or three people.  One person does the swim, one does the mountain bike and the other completes the trail run.  For two person teams, one person completes two of these disciplines.

The timing chip is passed between team members at the end of their leg in the designated ‘team’ area within transition.

After an event there are always items handed in as lost property. If you do loose something at the event or just leave it behind when you go please email us at info@in2adventure.com.au within 2 weeks of the event date.

If we do have something of yours you can reclaim it by sending a post paid satchel large enough for your property addressed to your return address to:

In2Adventure

PO Box 2003

Brookside Centre

QLD 4053

After 2 weeks all items are donated to the local trash and treasure/charity clothing.

GRAVEL / CYCLO CROSS BIKES

Gravel bikes are permitted by AUS Triathlon to be used at TreX, however, where this event is a National Championship, State Championship or WQE gravel / cyclo cross bike riders will not be eligible for National or State Championship awards or WQE qualification points.
They will however be eligible for TreX awards and prizes