TreX Sunshine Coast

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);

Event T-shirt (if purchased or included in an early bird entry offer).

START/FINISH & COURSE BRIEF

COURSE & SAFETY BRIEF | COMPULSORY FOR ALL ATHLETES

The Course & Safety Brief will take place at Race HQ. For safety reasons all participants are required to attend the briefing . The brief will cover all the information required to ensure all athletes have a safe and enjoyable race. It also includes important information about the course and any changes on the day.

The first wave will start soon after the Safety Brief is finished.

WAVE STARTS

To avoid having 300 swimmers starting at once, waves are used to separate the starts. This means the swim start is not as crowded for athletes.

Wave starts are determined by the number of athletes in each age group and/or gender and are typically 1 to 3 minutes apart, depending on the course and location. Full details are published on the notice board at Race HQ. Please check times on the day and ensure you are at the start line with plenty of time to spare.

EVENT START

TreX will start at the beach on Ewen Maddock Dam.

Please check the wave start times on the notice board at Race HQ and ensure you are at the start line ready for your race call well in advance.

EVENT FINISH

The finish is always a special place for our athletes, so make sure you make your finish photo one to remember and get ready to celebrate your achievements. Our volunteers will be serving fruit and water and collecting timing chips in the finish area.

TIMETABLE

6:30am REGISTRATION OPEN | All Events

6:30am Transition Open

7:00am Late Online Entries Closed

7:30am REGISTRATION CLOSED

7:35am TRANSITION CLOSED

7:40am COURSE BRIEF | Compulsory for all athletes

8:00am START | Junior & Teaser XTri

8:30am START | Standard XTri & AquaBike

8:45am START | Standard Duathlon - Start from Beach

9:00am START | Sprint XTri & AquaBike

9:15am START | Sprint Duathlon - Start from Beach

10:00am Dirt Kids Registration 2 Open

10:30am Dirt Kids Registration 2 Closed

*10:45am Transition Open for Bike Collection

*11:30am START | Dirt Kids

*Midday PRESENTATIONS

COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT

Swimmers | Tri Suit

Swim Cap (provided): Swim caps are provided in athlete race packs, it is a Triathlon Australia requirement that the caps issued by the event organiser are worn during the swim leg. Personal swim caps are not permitted.

Bike helmet that meets Australian Safety Standards.

Mountain Bike: Ensure that the mountain bike has been serviced and is in good working order and that handle bar ends are solidly plugged

Enclosed Running Shoes: An off road trail shoe will be beneficial for the conditions during the TreX trail run.

Running shirt | Riding Shirt | Vest: It is a Triathlon Australis requirement that the torso is covered during the bike and run legs.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

Swim Goggles (if desired)

Bike Gloves

Bike Shoes (if applicable)

Water bottles | Hydration Pack

Water & Nutrition

Protective Eyewear: Some sections of the course have some overhanging branches. It is recommended that athletes wear some form of eye protection during the event

Hat, Sunglasses, Sun Lotion, Towel

Insect Repellent

A Sense of Adventure!

IS CROSS TRIATHLON JUST FOR ELITE ATHLETES?

THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS AN OVERWHELMING “NO!”

The national TreX X-Triathlon series has been running for seven years is currently welcoming all manner of participants from 7 years to 70, 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 (7-12YRS)

A non-competitive event for 7 to 12 year olds. Typical distances include 50m Swim, 3km XC MTB and 500m Run.

JUNIOR (12-15YRS) & TEASER (16+YRS) COURSE

This is an event designed for younger participants and those 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 & 1km 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 350m Swim, 10km XC MTB and 4km Trail Run.

STANDARD COURSE (16+YRS)

The long course evolves throughout the season and gets progressively longer and more challenging before culminating in the championship event at the end of the season with a 1,500m Swim, 30km Cross Country Mountain Bike and 10km Trail Run.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT FROM ON ROAD TRIATHLON?

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

CAN I CARRY A MUSIC DEVICE?

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.

CAN I WEAR A HYDRATION PACK?

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.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR CLIP IN BIKE SHOES?

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.

DO I NEED A MOUNTAIN BIKE?

You will require an off road bike as all the riding takes place on fire trails, dirt tracks and some single track that is all unsuitable for a standard road bike.