The official Race Brief is considered the authoritative source of the race rules. The rules set out below are copied from the Race Brief but may not always be up to date. Please contact race organisers for the latest Race Brief if you have any questions regarding the rules.
- There is a minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 runners per Team;
- Only entrants registered can run in the race;
- Runners can only run for one Team during the race;
- Race Bibs (which will provided on the day) must be clearly displayed on the runner at all times and visible from the front;
- Teams can swap out runners in their team up until the start of the race on race day but must inform the Race Director of runner’s details either by the registration portal (or if closed via contacting race organisers via the contact form or by email)
- Only one runner per team is to run a leg at any time;
- Each runner can only run one leg at a time (ie a runner cannot run two or more legs in a row);
- Runners are to run on the Rail Trail at all times and only move off the trial if there is an obstacle;
- Only in the situation where a runner is injured (or cannot compete the leg for any reason) can another team member take over part way through a leg. This can be another runner from their team or the Support Rider (if they are eligible to run for the team type) where they swap roles. In this case the new runner is to commence from the position where the previous runner has stopped;
- Change over between runners can only occur at designated checkpoints and between cones by runners tagging the hand of the next runner. The exceptions are if there is a medical issue and runners must change during a leg and at the Bunya Hwy crossing where the marshal will raise their hand and the runner for the next leg (on other side of the highway) will commence running);
- Unless injured, team members are to run at least one leg of the race each;
- Runners cannot run more than four (4) single legs each. These legs cannot be consecutive;
- Runners or Support Riders are not to interfere with other runners at any time;
- Runners are to follow the direction of race officials at all times;
- Runners, Support Riders and accompanied persons are to be courteous to one another and always display sportsmanship. Abuse of any kind to each other, organisers or the general public will not be tolerated;
- Runners and Support Riders are to carry all mandatory items as outlined in this brief;
- All teams are to a have Support Rider who rides with their runner at all times. Other key attributes include:
- All Support Rider mandatory (must) items are complied with (as listed above);
- For hygiene reasons, the Support Rider ensures runners do not drink water from a bottle other than their own;
- Support Riders must slow down at chicanes / road crossings and give way to all vehicles;
- Support Riders are to warn runners of any vehicles that may cross the trail (at designated points along the trail);
- Support riders are to stay out of interchange areas at checkpoints when runners (from their team or others) are changing over, this includes if they themselves are swapping over with other riders;
- Support Riders of the opposite sex can support all Male or all Female teams;
- Support Riders are to continually monitor their runners for signs of injury, heat distress or other complications and are to stop them running if it is in the best interest of their health or safety;
- Support Riders are to be at a reasonable distance ahead the runner at all times (this is to warn off snakes that may be in the area as well as to provide any necessary support); and
- Support Riders must not ‘transport’ runners unless due to a medical incident.
- Teams can swap Support Riders between legs;
- Support Riders can be dedicated riders or also be runners of a Team;
- Support Riders can use an electric scooter however must ensure there is sufficient battery capacity and charge (experience has shown that most commercial scooters do not have sufficient battery life to last the full 60km on a single charge);
- If a Support Rider’s bike breaks down and cannot be fixed in a suitable timeframe the runner can continue without support. At the first opportunity the Team Captain is to liaise with the Race Director to make a decision if the team is to continue with a Support Rider or not;
- Spectators (and children) are to stay off all roads;
- Teams are to drive between checkpoints in a safe manner and be courteous to other teams and the public;
- Runners, Spectators and Support Riders are to give way to other users of the Rail Trail;
- Team vehicles are to be parked in designated areas (as per Annex A);
- Competitors are to use Public toilets that are located at all Checkpoints (note – there is no public toilet available at the Crawford checkpoint);
- Rubbish is be disposed of in either bins provided or through public bins and not left on the Rail Trail or at congregation points;
- Where a runner is injured and support is provided by another competitor, that competitor who is assisting may receive a time bonus for the period taken to provide assistance. The amount of time rewarded is at the discretion of the Race Director (upon request from the impacted Team Captain);
- The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify a team or apply a time penalty to any team for breaching of the above rules or for any conduct they deem not in the spirt of the event;
- Time penalties of any duration including full disqualification of a team may be imposed by the Race Director for conduct of a Team and/or one of more of its runners for conduct in breach of these rules or for conduct that does not align with the values of good sportsmanship and respect for one another. Decisions and associated penalties will be based on the severity of the matter;
- Teams must have a minimum of 5 runners and maximum of 8 runners to be eligible to compete. Teams that do not comply can still race but they will not be eligible for a placing or to compete in the Queensland Championships. They will still be listed in the rankings at the time they completed the race but text added next to their name to highlight they are ineligible;
- Dogs are permitted to run with teams but must be on a leash at all times. Runners with dogs are to avoid getting in the way of other runners;
- Protests on the conduct of other Teams or individuals can only be made by Team Captains to the Race Director and before Presentations are made; and
- The Race Director’s decision on all matters is final and all runners accept this as a condition of entering the race. This includes decisions to disqualify a team, allocate a time penalty or to introduce, interpret, and/or amend a rule on the day that the Race Director believes is in the best interest of individuals, teams, the public, the spirit of competition and/or the Event itself.