WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Is the race on?
Our P2P FB page will have the latest updates: https://www.facebook.com/Peak2Pub/
The Mt Hutt Snow Report will also tell you if the race is on or not. Please check out their website, or phone for the report on (03) 308 5074. This report is generally updated by 6.00am.

2. Early Registration
Will be held at Samuels Venue (at The Blue Pub) in Methven.
This Friday evening – September 18th from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
It is strongly advised that you register on Friday as due to spacing requirements, there may be delays with rego on Race Day not to mention congestion as Mt Hutt will be busy.

3. Registration on the Day
Race Day Registration is at the Mt Hutt Info Booth at the bottom of the access road from 7.30am – 11.00am

*Teams – please send just one person to collect the race pack, this will help with our spacing and numbers limits.

5. Car Parking
We anticipate Mt Hutt being at capacity on Sat 18th. This means limited carpark spaces. But no need to panic, read below to be prepared.
Plan to be on the mountain by 12:30pm latest. Note road closure from 12:30pm for all up-hill traffic.
If you are an individual athlete then you should organise transport to drop you off. No support crews this year and we have limited spaces on the mountain. We do have a ski gear transportation system set up so there is no need to have a person wait around to pick up your gear.
A drop off point will be available for competitors. Use your bib to show carpark crew.

6. NO support crew in any transitions or finish areas

7. Race Briefing
Will be virtual and is compulsory for ALL competitors to view – there is critical race information contained in this briefing about the start location and also possible changes to the run section due to the latest Canterbury storms affecting some of our race areas that you will need to know. This will be in the form of a link posted on the Peak to Pub website, Facebook page and emailed to competitors. This will be online by Friday 4pm.

8. There will be no water stations (sorry)

9. Face coverings
Masks, buffs etc MUST be worn in the chairlift line, while riding lifts and are COMPULSORY FOR THE SKI SECTION. You must keep your face covering on in the start zones and through the ski section until you have transitioned through to your bike. If you are an individual and you remove your mask after the ski section you must place it in the provided gear bag with the rest of your kit.
Face coverings are recommended for the bike and run section and anywhere you feel you cannot safely distance yourself from people you don’t know.

10. Road Closures
The Mt Hutt Access Road will be closed to:
Uphill traffic from 12:30pm
Downhill traffic from 1:15pm
The road will re-open at approximately 3:00PM.

11. Race Start Times – watch the Race Briefing for confirmation of exact times and start location. This may change from previous years.
Be at the Race Start (top of the Summit 6) by 12:45pm AT THE LATEST.

Race Start – will be in managed waves of less than 100 competitors.
* UPDATE – RACE START ONE HOUR EARLIER THAN FIRST STATED – SEE BELOW
1.00pm Individual Men (Wave 1) Bib numbers 1-40
1.02pm Individual Men (Wave 2) Bib numbers 41-67
1.04pm Individual Men (Wave 3) Bib numbers 68-118
1.10pm Individual Women – one wave (Wave 4)
1.20pm Teams – one wave (Wave 5)

13. Bike Section
You are responsible for the maintenance and condition of your mountain bike. Please ensure you have a safe ride.
The Bluffs (the first flat part of the road from the main carpark entrance) all the way to Rocky Point is a NO STOPPING OR WALKING ZONE. If you have a problem with your bike in this section of the ride you must not stop – please move quickly with your bike to the end of this section where there will be a safety vehicle and staff to assist you.

Big Al’s Crossroads Transition
This transition and timing mat will be inside the paddock. No vehicles are permitted in the paddock. Mt Bikers will dismount bikes before entering the paddock and run with bike through chute to bike drop zone. Then proceed to the timing mat and transition. Bib exchanges for teams must happen once past timing mat.
No spectators or support crew please.

14. Run Section – there may be changes prior to Race Day (all details will be provided in the Race Brief)
Do not exit the riverbed section until advised by the marshal.
Please give fellow competitors at least one metre spacing when passing on the run.
RDR Crossing
Note before you enter the swim (8m channel crossing) you may want to put your phone in the supplied box which will be taken back to the finish area post-race for pick up. Alternatively take the longer route +1.4km around the bridge and back to Methven Walkway.

15. Finish Area
This will be before The Blue Pub on Barkers Road. Once you cross the timing mat, you must return your bib and transponder and leave the area to avoid congestion. Unfortunately, we cannot allow spectators or support crew in the Finish Area.
Beyond this area The Blue Pub and Brown Pub (across the road) will be strictly managing their numbers and are limited in capacity under Level 2.

Prizegiving will be virtual and will be the day after the event. As per the Race Briefing, a link will be provided for all competitors to view and we will organise to get prizes and trophies out to the winners😊
Merchandise will also be sent out after the event.

TRANSPONDERS
TIMING MAT AT THE START
There is a timing mat at the start of the ski/board leg. This means that if you are not a strong skier or boarder you can wait until there is a clear space to start without your time being affected.This is in the interests of safety as we have a sell out event again and we do not want any carnage at the start… So if you know this skiing or boarding is not your greatest strength PLEASE stay towards the back of the pack for this leg so you do not impede others as they come through.

TRANSPONDERS AT THE START
Transponders will not fit over ski or boarding boots so you will wear it on your wrist ONLY for this leg. You must keep your hands LOW as you pass over the mat at the top for your time to be recorded.

TRANSPONDERS AFTER THAT
Individuals – you must change your transponder to your ankle when you remove your ski/board boots for the remainder of the Race. No transponder on your ankle = no time.
Teams – when your team mate hands you the and transponder attach it to your ankle. Nowhere else.

GEAR

Ski/Board Gear Transport
We will be transporting all ski & board gear from Mt Hutt for individual competitors (and two-man teams if required). All gear will be delivered to The Blue Pub in the carpark area for collection. You will be provided with a numbered gear bag to place all items apart from skis/poles/board. If your gear is not in the bag it will NOT make it…

Big Al’s Run/Bike Transition
Bikes & Gear are your responsibility to collect from the Crossroads transition.
Individual Competitors Bike pick-ups open at 3:30- 4:30pm. No pick ups before this time please!
Marshals will be managing a staggered collection so please wait until advised to pick up your gear.

Stage 1: SKI / BOARD

Mass start from high on Mt Hutt.
Run to skis/boards.
Distance – 2km | Vertical Drop – 460m

Stage 2: MT BIKE

From the top of the Mt Hutt access road to the ‘Crossroads’.
Distance – 18km | Vertical Drop – 1200m

Stage 3: RUN

From the ‘Crossroads’ to the Blue Pub Methven
Distance – 12km

INDIVIDUALS:
Open Women
Open Men
Vet Women (40+)
Vet Men (40+)

TEAMS:
Mens
Womens
Mixed
Vet Team (45+)
Corporate (all members must work for the same company – proof may be required)

(NB: at least 3 entries are required to form a category)

Age Limit
The minimum age of competitors for the event is 14 years of age at 18th September 2021. Competitors aged less than 18 years must have parents’ consent to participate in The Peak to Pub event.

SKI SECTION

The Ski/Board course will be set on the morning of the event, the location will depend on snow and weather conditions.
Helmets are mandatory.
Minimum intermediate skiing/riding level required
Assemble skis/board at start of course then proceed to the marshals ready for the start of the run section to your gear.
You must ski/board the course i.e.: red then blue then red then blue gates etc. to the ski/bike transition.
If you miss a gate, you will be disqualified.
Take off your skis/board and run through the chute carrying your skis/board.
Individuals will change into their bike gear and move their transponders to their ANKLE only.
Then run over the timing mat where you will get your time. Bikes will be located after the timing mat.

Teams – your mt biker must have the transponder on their ANKLE only.
The skier/boarder will pass the bib and transponder (in the transition area) to their team mate who will run over the timing mat and mount their bikes to begin the mt biking section.

MT BIKE SECTION

The Mt Hutt road will be closed (1:00pm for Uphill traffic from the Information Booth & 1:15pm for Downhill traffic from the Carpark) and cleared by Road Patrol for the bike section.
Helmets are mandatory.
There will be several stationary safety vehicles on the road.
In the event of an accident – a Medical Vehicle with flashing lights will travel down hill to the accident.  Please respect this and give way at all times.
Finish for the Big Al’s bike/run transition is just before The Crossroads – dismount and run through the chute where you will get your 2nd elapsed time.
Teams – again must remove bib or transponder to hand to team mate before the timing mat.

RUN SECTION

At the transition you must follow race marshal’s direction to enter farm land where marked. The Dry Creek bed will be marked with fluoro paint at intervals to direct you.
Do not leave the riverbed until directed by the marshal – there is only one exit
There will be race signs and marker cones out to notify road traffic however please give way to all traffic once back on the road.
Please travel on the right hand side of the road and stay to the right of any marker cones.  Race marshals will be directing you.
Marshals will also be present at any point where a road is crossed. They will direct you to stop if there is any traffic coming, direct you to turn as you cross the RDR and direct you to turn onto the Methven walkway following the fluoro paint until you emerge onto the main road. Please respect their instructions as they are looking out for your safety.
This year there will be 2 options before you enter the trees track:
a)  8 meter swim across the RDR
b)  Road bridge crossing for a slower (but dry) crossing
As you enter Methven, continue down Main Street and turn left at the Mobil Station.
The Finish line is before the Blue Pub where you will receive your final time and placing.
Please note that any finish line challenges will be AFTER you have crossed over the timing mat so we can record your final time.
GENERAL RULES

Failure to follow the Race Rules will result in disqualification
All transponders must be worn on the ankle only – if you do not your finish time may not be recorded.
All bibs and transponders to be returned to the marshals at the Finish line please
A team member may withdraw but he/she must notify a marshal at the next transition area. Any remaining team members may continue the race and receive times but the team will not place.

1.  A long steady slow paced run once a week: teach your body to endure a long run.

2.  Once a week do 3x 4min runs at race pace in intervals: teach your body to sustain speed.

3.  Run 50m in ski/snowboard boots to practice the first leg (run to skis/boards).

4.  Love your knees! Knees are important in all ‘legs’ of the event. Here are some good knee exercises to repeat while you are watching TV at night:
a) Sit upright on the couch and lift your feet up and down from the knee
b) Do the above with a weight on your foot such as ski/board boots or shoes
c) With a straight back and steady legs at shoulder length apart do a series of squats
d) Lie on your side like a swimsuit model and lift your top leg up and down
e) Do the same as above but with a bent knee and heels together.

5.  In order to practice skiing gates for the first part of the race: the race on snow, practice skiing around things when you are skiing so you can keep your speed while turning.

6.  Go for a bike ride on a gravel access road-ish track, for example the Port Hills walking track from Heathcoate Valley by the Lyttleton Tunnel in Christchurch, or head to Potts Cutting up the Rangitata Valley (on the way to Mt Sunday the Lord of the Rings filmsite location). Don’t forget to wear protective safety equipment, especially your helmet!
Training Tips #2

Training Tips #3

1. Transition – This is going to be a key in this sprint race. Minimise the time stopped. Consider wearing the same gear through the whole race to same time changing. For gear that has to be changed, choose gear that is easy to change such as Velcro shoes instead of laces, or elastic laces. Then practice with this gear before the race,.. lots to make it slick.

2. Also consider Mtb in running shoes to save the change later. Remember that you’ll be wearing a stretchy race number bib over the outside of your clothing. I advise wearing the same gear for the snow and mountain bike, right down to the helmet, goggles, jacket, gloves etc. At the end of the mountain bike you can strip off a layer or 2 and head into the run.

3. There’s a reasonable chance on the mountain bike that you’ll get totally mud spattered. To avoid scratching my precious goggles, I don’t wipe them, I turn my head sideways to clear the mud and snow that accumulates on the lens. The wind speed blows it off. Alternatively, you can get tear-off plastic for the lens, or yet another option is to lift them off your eyes after the muddy sections and go bare-eyes for the last part of the ride. Another option is to wear sunglasses instead of goggles.

4. Practice transition in the back yard a few times in the week leading up to the race.

Ideas for the really serious folks from legend Steve Gurney:

1.   Label your stuff – The transitions can be bedlam for your support crew, especially off the snow. I recommend labeling your gear with your name with marker pen.

2.   Prevent punctures – Punctures are very common on the mountain bike leg of the Peak to Pub. As you’d expect and hope for in the mountains, the road is rough and challenging. Snake bite punctures are common. That’s where a rock squashes the tube onto the rim and makes 2 “bite” punctures. The advent of tubeless tyres has solved this, but for those with tubes, you can reduce the likelihood by increasing the tyre pressure to something like 50 or 60 PSI. However, beware that this makes for less grip on corners and a bumpier ride. So you can counter this grip reduction by using tyres with an aggressive tread pattern.

3. Prevent breakages – Time and time again in the race I see frantic figures bent over their bike trying to fix a broken chain, a jammed derailleur, brakes that have worn out the pads, a pedal that has come off, or a seat that has broken. This stuff is all preventable by thoroughly checking your bike before the race or sending it to Big Al’s (or your local bike shop) for a service before the race.

4.   Nutrition – Peak to Pub is a short race, 1 hour for the winners, double for some folks. Even at that shortness, fluid intake is useful and I use Leppin Squeezies too.

So here’s what I do. I make sure Friday I’m drinking enough that my pee is clear. I have a good breakfast of porridge and fruit on race morning. 2 hours before race start I have a bit of a nosh-up with easy to digest food, soup, sandwiches etc, and a good drink of water or juice up to 750 mls.

From then on I wear a camel back before the race so I can sip a bit of water every 15 minutes. Drinking a total of 500 to 750 mls before the race starts.

In the race I don’t bother with a camel back. I just have a drink bottle on the bike with water. You’ll need a firm fitting drink-cage to stop the bottle from jumping out on the rough road (I like the Cateye plastic cage) I shove a Leppin Squeezies in my race shirt pocket, and eat one every 30 minutes. One just before the start followed by a gulp of water, and then one half way down the mountain bike where it has that little uphill (it’s slow enough to drink/eat), followed by several mouthfuls of water, and then another just before the end of the mountain bike on the tarseal followed by a big drink of water, so I’m set up for the run. If you anticipate being on the run for a while (longer than 1 hour) , you might consider taking your drink bottle with you off the bike or get a second one at the transition and one more Squeezie to take with you on the run and have it 30 minutes into it.

6. My best bit of advice – Have heaps of fun. You’ll race faster and have better yarns to tell, after all it’s the stories at the Blue Pub that really matter!