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ESSENTIAL EVENT INFORMATION 2024

CROATIA MULTISPORT

Due to the scale and nature of Rat Race Events, changes to the event course, structure and timings sometimes need to be made right up until the date of the event.  To ensure you have the latest information and are fully prepared for the challenge that lies ahead, please check back on the EEI before travelling to the event.

The EEI was last updated on: 31/01/2024 

WELCOME TO THE ADRIATIC. 

WELCOME TO RAT RACE CROATIA 2024!

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The countdown is on and we can't wait to welcome you all to this incredible destination for what is certain to be a epic adventure in April!

 

This is our Essential Event Information Document, which contains a comprehensive round up of everything you need to know before you embark on this exciting journey through the Adriatic. Make sure you’ve read this thoroughly well ahead of your departure date to ensure there are no last-minute panics or surprises, if you have any questions after reading this, please reach out to us on office@ratrace.com. 

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Abbi Naylor

Event Director, Rat Race Croatia Multisport 

FILES AND DOWNLOADS:
KEY REMINDERS:

Make sure you’ve read this thoroughly well ahead of your departure date to ensure there are no last minute panics or surprises, if you have any questions after reading this please reach out to us on office@ratrace.com 

SKIP TO SECTION

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TIME ZONE

GMT (+1)

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PHONE CODE

 +385

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LANGUAGE

Croatian / English

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CURRENCY

Euros  (€)

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

  • Event Participation Form MUST be submitted NO later 29th February 2024.

  • Medical declaration MUST be submitted NO later than 29th February 2024.

  • Webinar: The Q & A webinar will take place on at 1730 UK time on 13th March 2024. The webinar will be recorded and sent out to all participants the following day so you can watch it back at your leisure if you are unable to make the date and time.

  • Trackers: Please remember that GPS tracker accuracy is not always a-given; you should particularly note this if sharing live links with supporters. Trackers are not part of our event safety system. 

  • Kit: You will need to bring ALL kit that is on the kit list for you to take part. If your kit is not sufficient, we reserve the right to prevent you starting the event. Don’t worry – there are several more touchpoints before departure to ensure this does not occur. Firstly, the comprehensive kit list is provided with this document and a Q&A webinar just before we depart. If in any doubt on kit specifically, please get in touch with us at expeditions@ratrace.com and we can help. 

  • Snacks: you will need to bring 3 days’ worth of scooby snacks PLUS a day’s contingency. See section below for what we provide for you. Your own snacks are to augment what we provide and make sure you always have something that you fancy. 

  • Pair Entries: If you entered as a pair, please ensure you have logged into the Rat Race account of the person who made the booking and added the details for both members of your pair. You can do this by clicking 'add new member' under your account.  

  • Insurance: You need insurance. If you are bringing your own bike, please ensure it is insured against loss, theft and/ or damage. You will need a medical repatriation and evacuation policy that has a minimum of $500 000 trip cover on it. You will have to submit this to us pre-event and we will ensure we have the correct number to call your insurer if we need to evacuate you or provide serious medical attention. We also highly recommend a policy that covers you for curtailment and non-attendance. 

  • Live events decision making: When we are in Croatia, in all cases whilst on the trip, the Event Directors decision is final. They are always acting in the combined interest of the safety of the individual and the group, as their paramount concern.  

KEY INFO

PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION
Please use the following as a checklist on what you will require for this trip.
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PASSPORT


(at least 6 months remaining and enough pages for all the required stamps - minimum 2).

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RETURN AIR TICKET


You should ensure you have purchased a return air ticket.   

TRAVEL INSURANCE


See insurance section or event FAQ.   

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PERSONAL MONEY

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TRIP MEETING POINT AND END POINT

The dates of the trip are fixed as 25th – 30th April 2024. These are the dates on which the itinerary commences and finishes.  

 

Pick up: You will be picked up at Dubrovnik International airport on the 25th April at 2pm. We will have a list of people we are expecting to pick up, we will wait for everyone to arrive after landing that morning. If your flight lands later than this time, please let the events team know (details below). You will be taken to your accommodation on the island of Korcula, this is a drive of approximately 3hours, so pack a book or bring something to keep you entertained! If you are arriving before 25th please make your own way back to the airport in time for the transfer.    

 

Drop off: You will be dropped back to Dubrovnik International airport on the morning of the 30th April at approximately 10am. This is where our itinerary ends. If you are staying on to explore Croatia, then we will wave you goodbye after our final breakfast together.  

 

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Q&A WEBINAR

 We will do general Q & A webinar on March 13th at 17.30 UK Time.  This is very useful to attend if you can as an introduction to the event, it will also provide you a live opportunity to ask any questions you may have. It will be recorded and sent out by email the following day for those who cannot attend or for anyone to refer back to at a later date. 

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TRAINING AND PREPARATION

Our Croatian event is a substantial undertaking. It is approximately 165km of varying terrains across 4 sporting disciplines. It is a beautiful place, but it will pack a punch daily. For day 1 you can run or hike this, if you aim for a pace of 3mph/5kph you will have plenty of time to finish each day and enjoy sunset with a celebratory drink in hand. Training should now be focusing on consecutive days of hiking and biking. Do not avoid hills as hill strength will be the key to success. If you don’t have access to multiple hills, find one hill and do some hills repetitions to strengthen the legs. If you can get some sea kayaking in between now and then that will help for event day 3. We understand it is by no means easy for everyone to fit in the training, everyone is different, everyone also has different day-to-day pressures, commitments and equipment available.   

 

Train with the kit you are planning on wearing. You will then be able to check if it is comfortable and fits correctly. Chuck the bag on that you are planning to be running or hiking with, fill it with some tasty snacks and water, this will help your body to get use to the extra weight on your back. The fitter and more prepared you are for a challenge like this the more you can enjoy each and every moment.  

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STYLE OF TRAVEL

There will be 50 - 60 participants in the event. In general, we will provide lead and sweep staff (and other support vehicles and/or runners, hikers, bikers, kayakers throughout the course). We will establish pit stops along the route, very roughly equidistant between one another and usually a minimum of 3 of these stops per day. You go at your own pace, run/hike/bike with others, or on your own, whatever you fancy.  

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The SUP and kayak stage will be conducted slightly differently with members of the team going in small groups with one instructor. The groups will consist of 10-12 people per group. Along with an instructor for support in addition to our safety boats. Here we will need you to stay with your group, on the kayak stage we will endeavour to split you roughly by ability and speed. 

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We will not stop you unless you look unlikely to finish in daylight. As such, there are no formal cut-off times as the daily stages could be influenced by weather or other factors as judged appropriate by the event team. However, unless we think you’re going to run out of daylight to finish the stage, we will not cut you off. That is our pledge to you. For your part, just keep moving forward.  

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REGISTRATION

Registration for the event is split into a ‘pre-event’ Registration phase, where we will ask for information to be submitted online (see the top and bottom of this document for what and when). This will be followed up by a physical registration process in person on the 26th April. 

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We will provide you with a safety procedure to follow in case of an emergency while on each phase of the event. This may differ per stage and the safety and emergency protocols will be made clear to you prior to the commencement of each phase.  

TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION

ACCOMMODATION

Nights 1, 2 & 3: Aminess Liburna Hotel, Korcula 

Night 4: Hotel Osmine

Night 5: Dubrovnik City Hotel 

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FOOD AND BEV

The inclusive meals are outlined below as per the website itinerary information:  

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25th April – no meals included 

26th April – breakfast included  

27th April - ‘grab and go’ breakfast, pit stops throughout the day, evening meal 

28th April - ‘grab and go’ breakfast, pit stops throughout the day, evening meal 

29th April - ‘grab and go’ breakfast, pit stops throughout the day, evening celebration meal 

30th April – breakfast included  
 
For day 1 & 2 you will be supported by Rat Race Pit Stops (3 per day, we will try to space them evenly, however the length of days and access points vary), featuring water, small grab and go snacks and other treats. At pit stop 2 there will typically be some more savoury items and ‘lunch’ items such as wraps and bread where you are able to eat something more substantial. 

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For day 3 whilst you are on the kayaks you will be given snacks and water to have in your kayak to eat when you wish, there will also be a pit stop set up on the island of Sipan with some more substantial food and drinks.  


You should look to augment these pit stops with your own snacks and you should very definitely provide your own hydration, electrolyte and sports nutrition supplies. This will be important throughout your adventure. 

 

At the end of the trip in Dubrovnik, we will provide dinner and some celebration drinks.  

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND EXTRAS

Where we provide meals as part of the general event service, we will not include alcoholic or soft drinks as standard, and these must be provided by yourselves. See more on local payments, below. 

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At the hotels there will be a bar where you can but alcoholic and soft drinks. If you put anything onto your ‘tab/room’ please pay for it before you leave the hotel.   
 
We will provide you with some beers at certain locations, to celebrate a job well-done. That is a Rat Race tradition! These will be at the discretion of the organisers, however. In general, you should expect to pay for alcoholic and soft drinks.  

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ABLUTIONS AND HYGIENE

We are staying at quality accommodation throughout which will provide good shower facilities. However, whilst on the event course there will not be toilets available at each pit stop. Therefore, you should keep to a high level of personal hygiene by using wet wipes, washing with minimal water and always keeping hands clean. Check wounds, rashes, and blisters regularly for infection.  
 

The firm advice is always to ensure you are ‘self-contained’ with toilet roll and with anti-bacterial handwash gel for the trail. Do NOT leave toilet paper out on the route, please bring nappy bags to contain used toilet roll and dispose of where at a pit stop or at the hotel.  

THE ROUTE

THE ROUTE 

Our route will take a trail from the Western end of Korcula island to the East on foot, ending the day back in Korcula Town.

 

Our second day will involve three sports, a SUP across to Orebic, before hopping onto bikes to start winding your way up the coast to the village of Ston, here you will put your trainers on for the last 10km of the day as you head over the famous Ston walls, best known as Kings Landing in the Game of Thrones. The final day involves an epic kayak journey from the start of Broce Canal, paddling to the island of Sipan, for some respite as you stretch your legs and hike over to Suradad for some refreshments. Your kayaks will be waiting for you to complete the last stage of the journey to finish in Dubrovinik. 

 

You must remain open to the possibility that our plan may change due to unforeseen factors, such as the weather and diversions. So, while Plan A is Plan A, it is not inconceivable that we may deploy Plan B, C or D if we deem it necessary for your safety.  

 

ROUTE FINDING & GPS

We will NOT waymark the route. Unless the route must be diverted due to an obstruction or last-minute change.  

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In general, this event is operated with GPS as the main method of route guidance. YOU need to bring a GPS watch and a navigation device or application on your phone.  It is imperative that you are well versed in the usage of your down device and that you are confident in their battery life and reliability.

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If you wish to rent a Coros GPS watch from us, that is also possible at a cost of £50. This will have the GPS already downloaded and you will get tuition of how to use the watch on registration day.  You can purchase GPS watch hire HERE.

 

All devices will be given to you at registration, and you will undergo a familiarisation session with them that day. You will also be issued with charging cable and other accessories, and it will be your responsibility to keep the devices charged and functional during the event.  

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You must return all devices at the end of the event and until then, you keep them with you. 

 

As stated above, you will get to know your devices intimately on this event. We will also make available route GPX files for you to upload onto your own devices as you see fit. These files will be provided much closer to the commencement of the event, once we are satisfied there are no on the ground changes, and we therefore do not end up with version control issues that are hard to resolve.  

TRACKING DEVICE

At registration in Korcula you will be issued with your tracker, (in a ziplock bag (with your name on) inside a small dry bag ). It is your responsibility to look after the device. 

 

Tracking will go live on the morning of the first event day (i.e. the start of the event) at 0700 local time.  

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The trackers rely on GSM & satellite signal to report, (which is generally very good across a lot of our route) but there is a delay on tracking. Sometimes, our team back at base will increase or decrease the reporting frequency, so those watching at home will sometimes not see your dot moving, or see you moving very slowly. Or they may see you adrift from others in the group (for example if you have not turned the tracker on!). 

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It is REALLY important that you ensure anyone watching at home knows this, for their own peace of mind and for our own safety systems. Experience shows that if someone watching at home does not understand this, they can sometimes unwittingly commence full rescue missions by panicking, calling in the cavalry and sparking confusion for us as organisers. As such, it really is a very important point to note.  

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If we have any issues or snagging with tracker units, our basecamp team can see this and we will pull them back in and reset them for you. 

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As with the GPS units, you must return this device at the end of the event or whenever a member of staff asks for you to do so (for example to check a setting or to charge it). Do also hand to a member of staff should you drop out on any day. As with all electronic devices, there is a replacement cost. For the tracker, it is £150.   

 
The tracking link for family and friends will be available closer to the event and will be published on the main event website HERE.

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PIT STOPS

Our provision will be made available to you three times on the route daily at our pit stops. Each pit stop will feature a vehicle, staff, first aid support, comms and of course, some food and drink. Expect the odd cameo local snack appearance, some baked goods from time to time, plenty of sweets and salty snacks and loads of fresh fruit.  

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General note on food – trail snacks 
Please pack your own hearty supply of snacks and electrolytes that you enjoy on the trail. These can be stored in your day packs and topped up each night when you are reunited with your overnight bags

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EVENT INSTRUCTIONS

EVENT REGISTRATION AND PRE-EVENT ADMIN

 

Formal Registration for the event is completed in 3 phases. 


1.) Online enrolment, acceptance of terms and conditions, payment: COMPLETE 


2.) Submission of online event details form and medical form (by 29th Feb)

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Pre-Event Participation Form 

Medical Declaration


3.) Physical registration in Korcula on 26th April. You will complete a final physical kit check with our event team, do a short paperwork exercise including checking your insurance company contact details, present some ID and do a medical interview. You will also receive your numbers and bag tags, GPS devices, trackers and other items.

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ID

By entering this event you agreed that you have entered in your own name (not nickname) and will bring photographic ID to event registration in Korcula to prove your identity. Clearly, having got on an aircraft in a seat booked in your own name, this should not be too difficult! It is however a requirement for us to know categorically know who at the event, hence the final physical ID check. 

EVENT REGISTRATION PACK 

In Korcula, there will be one adventure pack issued per person. This will contain: 

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​Personalised Race Bib: Surname and Number

You must wear this over all clothing so that it is always visible. It is also essential for the photographer to see who you are if you are going with the photo service (See more on that below)

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Bike number

To attach to the front of your bike. 

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Baggage labels

For your overnight  and running/day bag. These must be attached to your bag before handing them over to our crew to transport.

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Tracker  

We will issue the tracking device and demonstrate its use

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Event T-shirt & Rat Rag

 If you do not select your t-shirt size via the pre-event form in advance, you will automatically be allocated a Large.

MANDATORY KIT LIST

MANDATORY KIT LIST

The full kit list can be found below.

 

Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. Some of it is simply to keep you from perishing. It is a serious list, and we know everyone knows this, but we ask that you please do work with us on this. Please do not skimp on kit. As we have pointed out in the webinar thus far, the weather in Croatia in April is changeable. Spare sets of kit will be worn, you will get wet, and you will want to get dry and comfortable again. As such, do not skimp on kit! 

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GENERAL KIT

  • Casual clothing for use in evenings at hotels and transit stages 

  • One set of clothes for the celebration meal, these can be as casual or smart as you like.

  • General ‘overnight’ bag (holdall, duffel) for spare kit – pls don’t bring a hard suitcase – ensure all bags are soft (much easier for managing in vehicles) 

  • Towel – travel micro towel or full-size 

  • Underwear and socks for each day

  • Power bank for mobile phone and/ or GPS unit 

  • International plug adaptor 

  • Personal toiletries and medication 

  • Either a GPS handheld device or Smartphone capable of following a GPX file (phone with Outdoor Active App is recommended – see section on ‘route finding’ below) OR a GPS watch for following the route 

  • In all cases, participants must carry a Smartphone (so if using a watch for following the route, you must also have a Smartphone in your kit) 

 

FOOT STAGE KIT

  • ​Trail running footwear 

  • Shorts/leggings

  • T-shirts 

  • Ultra vest or small daypack 

  • CAT 3 sunglasses 

  • Bladder or bottles/ soft flasks (aim to be able to carry a MINIMUM of 1.5l) 

  • Hat – cap or wide brimmed are fine 

  • Socks 

  • Buff or similar neck gaiter 

  • Blister care kit 

  • Scooby snacks of choice* 

  • Power pack and cable for recharging phone, in waterproof bag (ziplock or dry bag) 

  • Headtorch 

  • Salt tablets and dissolvable electrolytes for water. Please bring salt tablets and some electrolyte mix for drinks. You will 100% need these on this trip and they are MANDATORY 

  • First Aid kit (small personal kit with a triangular bandage, steri strips and an adhesive dressing as a minimum). Also include any personal medication

  • Trekking poles – totally optional 

  • Dry bag or small zip lock bags: Very useful for general gear storage/ organisation/ protection – especially on the kayak but also in general for your day pack (zip locks are also good for doing your business and disposing of the toilet paper if caught short) 

 

BIKING KIT

  • A bike (your own or rented) 

  • Helmet

  • Biking Gloves 

  • Bike jersey 

  • Paddled shorts/bib 

  • Gilet or extra layer 

  • Biking shoes or trainers 

  • You can bring your own peddles to add the bike if you would like 

  • Water carrying capacity for a minimum of 1.5l. This can be in a backpack or on bottles in bottle cages. The rental bikes have bottle cages attached.  

  • BIKE SPARES: Our minimum spec for mandatory spare bike kit is outlined below. Items with an * need to be carried whilst riding: 2 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre *  /  Tyre levers* / 1 x puncture repair kit* /  Bike multitool* / Small pump* 

 

*For rental bikes, you will be issued with a spares kit.

KORCULA KIT CHECK 

 

We will have undertaken a webinar Q&A in advance of travelling to Dubrovnik. However, we will reserve the right to inspect some or all of your kit upon arrival. 
As a minimum we will be checking: 


•  Helmet for biking 
•  Gloves for biking  
• Bag for foot stages including water carrying  

•  Waterproofs for water stages 
• A working headtorch  
• A first aid kit containing the minimum mandatory items (see relevant section) 
• Suitable footwear for the foot stages and water stages

  • Salt tablets and dissolvable electrolytes for water. 

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There is not instant access to sports shops in Korcula and the ability to ‘fill in any gaps’ is therefore heavily reduced; however we can assist in the event of major kit failure. 


If in any doubt, please check well in advance on kit. We have devised the mandatory kit list for your protection and safety, and we will not be able to make any exceptions on required items.

SUP AND KAYAK STAGES KIT

  • Sun Hat 

  • Wicking Top – long or short sleeved 

  • Sunglasses 

  • Quick Drying leggings

  • Water shoes/sandals 

  • Swimming Shirts / Bikini 

  • Kayaking gloves - optional 

  • Waterproof top and bottoms 

  • Wetsuit – Completely optional 

  • Kayak, paddle and buoyancy aid will be provided.

  • One set of clothes for kayaking as suggested above. Swimming shorts/costume/bikini, leggings and a long-sleeved T-shirt/rash vest would be adequate. 

  • Our advice at this stage is to paddle in comfortable wicking garments. You will be completing 1 x SUP and 1 x kayak leg and a run/ trek leg between these, so clothing that is comfortable in the boat and on land is suggested for event day 3.  

  • A drybag will be useful to collate your bits n’ bobs into on the kayak day.  

 

PERSONAL MED KIT

Our minimum spec for mandatory medical kit (to be carried at all times) is as follows:  

  • 1 x crepe roll bandage 

  • Gauze or similar absorbent dressing  

  • Small set of scissors 

  • Pain Killers (paracetamol) 

  • Steri-Strips  

  • Antiseptic (spray or cream)  

  • Assorted plasters  

  • Rubber gloves  

  • Prescribed medication (if applicable) 

  • Zinc oxide tape  

  • Compeed – various sizes  

  • Lube stick/vaseline  

  • Sudacrem   

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AVOIDING KIT CATASTROPHE IN TRANSIT 

It is not impossible that your gear may not arrive with you into Dubrovnik. In general, the longer you are in Dubrovnik, the easier this is to solve. Once you start travelling away from major airports, getting re-united with lost bags becomes harder. However, it is not impossible and if you do lose bags or if bikes do not arrive, it does not necessarily spell certain doom. There are sports and bike shops in Dubrovnik. We will have at least 1 medium and 1 large spare bike, to cover disaster relief on these things. However, to avoid the chances of total catastrophe, we would recommend that you do travel with some event clothing in your hand luggage: A set of waterproofs, something to wear top and bottom, swim kit, sports bra (if needed) and some footwear would be minimum recommended. Indeed, you can travel wearing this gear.  
 
Experience tells us that if you arrive wearing or physically carrying some of what you need, the likelihood of getting you on the start-line increases dramatically, vs those who entire event kit is in their hold baggage, making its way around a carousel in the wrong airport far, far away.  

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BAGS, BIKES & BOATS

KAYAKS & SUPS

SUPS, and Kayaks are provided along with buoyancy aids, leash, paddles, and cags (waterproof/windproof top) if you would like one.  

 

All kayaks on the event are doubles. They are sit-on top kayaks with a deep hull and therefore a deep seat. They are designed for the Croatian waters and will be comfortable for your journey to Dubrovnik. 

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BIKES

There is bike hire available for this event. If you have decided that you do not want to bring your own a bike can be hired through this link HERE.  Please note bike hire will close on 29th February so if you wish to bike a hire from us and have not done so already, please ensure you purchase your hire before 29th.

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If you are bringing your own bike please keep it in the bike box until we reach Korcula where you will be able to assemble it. If it is within a bike box it is easier to transport.  

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COMPULSORY BIKE KIT

  •  Helmet – you must provide your own helmet if bringing your own bike. Please note: rental bikes will come with a helmet, however, at Rat Race we also advise bring your own helmet if you have one; if will be more comfortable, it fits well, and you know where it has been. 

  • Gloves 

To be carried whilst riding: 

  • 2 x inner tubes* 

  • 1 x Puncture repair Kit* 

  • Bike multitool* 

  • Tyre levers* 

  • Small pump* 

 

*For rental bikes you will be issued with some spares and will be supported by the bike rental company. 

BAGS

There are 3 bags you need for this events 

  1. Day pack for the hike/run stages – You will use this bag to carry food, water and other supplies during the foot stages. Please make sure it is big enough to carry all the mandatory kit. You can choose to carry water in a bladder or water bottles. (This bag could also be worn during the cycling stage).  

  2. Pit stop bag – You will have access to this bag at pit stop 2 on each day. This just needs to be a very small bag (10litres) that has some spare things in such as electrolytes, spare socks, sun cream etc.  

  3. Transition bag – used at various locations where you need to transfer from one sport to another. Our suggestion is that this bag is waterproof. More information on transition locations below.  

  4. Main overnight bag - This should be a soft duffel or hold-all (please, no hard cases or wheels) and be capable of carrying all the kit you will not be wearing during the run, bike, sup or kayak stages. It must be one bag (not a series of bags). Size is not too important – up to 120l is OK as we do realise all this kit is bulky. In general, we ask that you attempt to get this bag to around the 23kg mark (this is the upper limit for most ‘standard’ airline checked luggage anyway). This bag will be left with our event team each day and you will have access to it each evening. 

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TRANSITIONS

To allow you to access the right kit at the right times we permit one transition bag to be made available to you at the various stages. There are multiple transitions at which point you will be able to access different kit.  

 

The transitions are as follows:  

Event day 2: 

  • SUP to Cycle Transition – The bag will be available in Orebic to change into biking clothing. 

  • Cycle to Foot Transition – Your transition bag will be available to change to running kit for the final 10km of the day.  

 

Event day 3:  

  • Kayak to Foot – Your transition bag will travel with you in the kayak to change shoes to hike/run across Sipan island. Leave this bag and layers not needed in the kayak to meet you at the other end of the island. 

  • Foot to Kayak – as above. Change shoes and add layers as needed.  

ITINERARY

The days below are counted from ‘arrival and meeting day’, which is the day we pick you up from the airport and drive to Korcula. 

DAY ONE / MEETING AND TRAVEL DAY

25th April 2024

 

Meet at Dubrovnik International airport at 2pm. We will load up luggage and travel approx. 3 hours to Korcula.  

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Meals: N/A 

Accommodation: Twin and shared rooms in hotel accommodation 

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DAY TWO / REG, GEAR PREP AND BRIEFING

26th April 2024

 

We will have breakfast and then get stuck into a morning’s worth of registration activities. Afterwards there will be time in the afternoon to stretch your legs and explore the charm of Korcula, relax, prep kit or head out on the optional kayak refresher. There is still time to sign up to the kayak refresher HERE. 

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Meals: Breakfast provided 

Accommodation: Twin and shared rooms in hotel accommodation 

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DAY THREE / CROATIA MULTISPORT BEGINS!

27th April 2024

  

We will make our way to the Western side of Korcula island where the start of our adventure awaits. A 45km foot stage traversing the entire length of the island. After meandering through olive groves, dusty lanes and quirky villages you will finish back at your accommodation for a well-deserved beer and rest.   

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Meals: Breakfast, pit stops, and dinner provided 

Accommodation: Twin and shared rooms in hotel accommodation 

Distance: 45km 

DAY FOUR / SUP, BIKE & HIKE

28th April 2024

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A bright and early start, another great breakfast before heading out on your SUP to paddle 3km across the water to the port of Orebic, here you will transition into onto bikes for a 70km cycle in the hills overlooking the Adriatic sea, finally you will put your trainers on to stomp the walls of Ston.  

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Meals: Breakfast, pit stops, and dinner provided 

Accommodation: Twin and shared rooms in hotel accommodation 

Distance: 3km SUP, 70km Bike, 10km hike/run 

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DAY FIVE / KAYAK, HIKE , KAYAK

29th April 2024

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We will be up before the sun for our last day of adventure! Coffee in hand, we will transfer you back to the end of yesterday's foot stage. Here you will jump into your kayaks at the start of the Broce canal and begin your paddle into the Adriatic Sea by the tide. We will head for the island of Sipan and come ashore to run/hike its length. After a pitstop of local treats you will get back into your kayaks for the final push to our stunning finish line in Dubrovnik. The evening will see us celebrate our epic journey together.  

 

Accommodation: Twin and shared rooms in hotel accommodation 

Meals: Breakfast, pit stops, and celebration dinner provided 

Distance: Kayak 27km, run/hike 10km 

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DAY SIX / DEPARTURE DAY

30th April 2024

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After a final breakfast together, we will transfer you back to Dubrovnik International airport, or you may have chosen to stay on to explore Croatia for longer. This is where we will say our goodbye.  

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Accommodation: N/A 

Meals: Breakfast provided 

 

Please note all distances and ascents are approximate. 

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MEDICAL OPERATION & PARTICIPANT SAFETY

COURSE CUT OFFS & WITHDRAWALS 

This event is not about cut-offs. But, having a ‘cut-off’ and a ‘sweeping’ structure is an important part of our Event Management Plan and Risk Assessment processes. Cut off times are independent of any other factors that occur earlier in the course such as start time, injury, going the wrong way, time taken at Pit Stops, head winds; and whether it is your fault or not. We understand that missing cut offs can be tough to take but please remember this is not the crew member’s fault that breaks the news to you, should it happen to you. Please also remember that if this does happen to you, the Event team’s decision is final.  

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If you are cut off, there will be no option to re-start from where you were cut off the next day. (The event only ever moves forwards). You may however re-start the next day from the official re-start location; subject to the discretion of the event team.  

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There are a number of reasons why you may be cut-off or withdrawn from the event. These could be medical, pace, kit, personal or other factors.  
 
It is OK to retire and to be taken forward to the overnight spot. We’d rather you re-started the next day vs suffer meaninglessly and spoil it for yourself. We call this being ‘boosted.’  

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As far as the time available goes to avoid a cut-off, there is no ‘set’ cut off time each day. (ie. time limit or published time). Instead, we require all participants to be at the finish location before nightfall. If this is looking unlikely you will be ‘swept’ forward. That is the cut-off.  

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Above all else, please remember, this event is not about cut-offs. It is about getting the most out of this magical environment. We will not cut you off and sweep you forward unless we really must. And if we do, it is for your own safety. 

 

'BEDDING DOWN INTO THE COURSE'

It is probable that when you set off on the Challenge on day 1, the first hours of the first day may be a bit hit n’ miss. Pace, temperature regulation, kit selection, footwear or bag niggles. All to be expected. Embrace that ‘bedding down into it’ phase and listen to your body and to your kit. Expect some unexpected phenomena (not UFOs, just unusual kit or boot issues that you may not have quite been expecting). Use this time to just get used to the environment, the gear and the temperature. Go with it and relax. By pit stop 1 or 2, you’ll have worked out enough to be comfortable.  

 

MEDICAL OPERATIONS 

Our team is there for you in case you have an incident with which you require assistance. The team will shadow the progress of the challenge each day in vehicles, on foot, bikes and kayaks; before establishing a med centre each afternoon at the location to which we are heading for our accommodation. Whilst the medics are there for ‘what ifs,’ they are also a great source of preventative advice; so please do use them to ask questions and check best practice, particularly in suspected foot injury or issues such as blisters. We will also have medical staff along the course with you for some specific sections of the route.  

  
MEDICAL PRE-SCREENING 

We have invited you to have a medical screening process, which can be completed via the link below. Please complete this as soon as possible – and certainly please, no later than 29th Feb 2024. If you do have any condition that you feel we should know about, however small you feel it may be, please do share this with our Medics. Experience has shown that early pre-screening can assist both us and you greatly in enabling the care you need pre and during the trip. If you do not share information on conditions which are likely to affect your participation or decide to share them very late in the process, we are all under pressure and we will always reserve the right to cancel your participation if we feel there is a medical issue that may affect yours, or others’ safety.  

  

IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS AND MEDICAL INFORMATION: 

We are very fortunate to have an excellent Medical Director providing oversight, planning and screening on all of our international trips, who in turn engages seriously professional and qualified staff to join you on the trip. Rat Race also conforms and has been audited to the rigorous BS8848 standard of expedition management. This means our approach to all things safety and medical is extremely thorough and it is designed throughout with your best interest at heart.  

 

Your medical screening details will be sent direct to our medical team and under medical confidentiality rules, this will only be shared with our medics and no-one else. If they decide this is info that is in the best interests of everyone for us as organisers to be privy to, they will seek and gain your consent before doing so. It is therefore important you complete the link to the medical survey only which can be found HERE; do not send Rat Race medical information direct. If you have any queries at all on the medical side of things in relation to this event, you can email our Medical Director, Dr Patrick Musto directly and confidentially on office@trailmed.com and he will assist. 

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INSURANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR EQUIPMENT 

We have asked that you have in place Travel Insurance cover and specified Evacuation cover to last for a minimum period of the event duration for the days you are with us on the published itinerary. Evacuation and medical expenses cover should total no less than $500 000. A copy of this cover/covers (if separate policies) is required to be received by us by 29th Feb 2024. The details for submission can be seen at the bottom of this EEI in the ‘checklist’ section.  

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We recommend that participants have insurance to cover damage, loss, theft, injury and non-attendance. Rat Race cannot accept any responsibility for the loss of, theft, or damage to any Participant property or the circumstances of Participant non-attendance. Within the 12-week departure window, we cannot provide any transfers and, in all cases, we cannot entertain requests for refunds. We respectfully remind all participants that unforeseen circumstances preventing attendance is what travel insurance is designed for and is the reason for this as a strong recommendation on such undertakings.  

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You can submit copies of your insurance via the online form here. Alongside this, we ask that medical screening is completed, plus an online waiver. Please see the actions list at the bottom of this document for details. 
 

Some suggested providers are as follows:  
 
For UK and Channel Island residents Rat Race’s own insurer brokers have a brand-new product: https://www.mannbroadbent.co.uk/sports-travel-insurance/. 

 
Note: This is Rat Race’s UK-based insurance broker, specialising in the leisure insurance market. This is a specialist sports travel cover product; however, Rat Race is neither an insurance broker or underwriter. We can recommend Mann Broadbent wholeheartedly as good people to deal with, but please remember that this is not a ‘Rat Race product’ and we have no say whatsoever on claims decisions made by the insurers, in the event that you raise such a claim via one of these policies.  
 

Other providers: 
 

 

Note: We have no relationship with any of these providers, but previous customers have found them reasonable to deal with regarding some of our similar Bucket List challenges.  
 
Note: For all insurance, please remember that cover is offered based on several factors, (the nature of the event disciplines being one of them), but your own insurance profile, age, health and other details form a big part of this. As such, we are always happy to provide details to insurers in support of cover requests from customers, but we cannot influence their decisions as to whether to offer cover to individuals.  

 

POOR WEATHER CONTINGENCY 

 Croatia in April is known for its slightly cooler temperatures than in the height of the tourist season. Please be prepared for the multiple weather conditions and temperatures ranging from hot to colder. The average temperature range is 13-17oC.  

 

The water temperature is at its lowest for the season at approximately 15°C,  

 

The full 3-day Croatia Multisport event is an audacious one. For it to be completed multiple components need to align for plan A to be nailed down, but in true Rat Race style we have a plan A, B, C, D…Z to ensure you have an epic event. 

 

Due to the popularity of Croatia along with high temperatures in the summer months means April into May is the ideal time for the event as it is both quieter and cooler. The tourist season is not yet in full swing. As it is early in the season the weather conditions may be more temperamental. If the wind conditions and sea state are too high the kayak will be adapted or if the sea state is too large for any kayaking to safely take place we will complete the foot and bike stages only.   

 

The event will proceed in many conditions, but if it is deemed unsafe to continue due to weather conditions, the event will be halted at the current hotel or accommodation location. If required, we will await more favorable conditions to re-commence. This may result in some stages being cut short to achieve daily mileages within the time available.   

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GENERAL SAFETY AROUND VEHICLES 

This event takes place on the trail and open roads. There are vehicles, this is not a closed road event. Vigilance must be always taken.  

 

LITTER  

We want to show that this event has exemplary control of littering. Please help us achieve that. Pack your litter into your pack, pockets or nearby bin bag (trash sack) at a vehicle. No exceptions. Croatia is a beautiful environment, and our absolute commitment is to keep it that way. 

 

EMERGENCY PROTOCOL  

In the event of a true emergency or serious incident you will be notified of protocols at the orientation in Korcula. If you are with an injured party whilst on the route, stay with the casualty and await assistance. In the event of a non-emergency incident but for which action is requested from the organisers, then you should place a call (we will give you numbers) or if no phone reception, you should send a message forward to the next Pit Stop with another participant if possible and/or await an event crew member approaching via vehicle/or on foot from behind. This might be medical, logistical or kit/ equipment breakdown as examples. We politely ask that you stop and help someone that is in difficulty – you will be the first person to find them – remember to take note of time, place (number of km, or minutes/ hours from last Pit Stop) and participant number/ name at the incident site. Remember we are all in it together and we are in effect one big team. 

 

MUSIC PLAYERS  

While these are allowed, please control their volume according to your environment. Always use your judgment when listening to music or audiobooks. Please also be aware that if you cannot hear general voice levels you might miss instructions or warnings from crew, other participants or approaching vehicles.  

OTHER ADMIN MATTERS

EVENT ETHOS: ‘RACING’ AND OUR FINISH TIMES SERVICE 

Completing not competing. Rat Race’s ethos has always been about inspiring folk to undertake challenges in awesome outdoor locations. Croatia is just that, taken to an epic level. This is not a formal race environment and there are no winners and losers. We do not award prizes for the fastest folk. There will be no splits. Indeed, there will be no timings. Rat Race totally appreciate the incredible commitment of those taking on the challenges we lay down and each participant is as important as the next regardless of how fast you can cover the distance. This is akin far more to an expeditionary undertaking than anything else. 

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In delivering this unique challenge we prioritise factors such as safety, camaraderie and environmental concerns. Respecting the wishes of local stakeholders with our route management and litter policies is vital in being able to bring folk together for this unique experience. Safety above all else is paramount, as you will fully appreciate. To reasonably balance all these factors, we emphasise that the event is not a formal race environment, rather it is a challenge in the great outdoors where great folk come together with a common purpose. 

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LOCAL PAYMENTS

Most locations in Croatia take credit and debit cards. Having some local currency is a good idea. When we are staying in hotels, you may charge incidentals to your room if the hotel has that facility. All room accounts should be settled prior to leaving the accommodation in each location.  

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GENERAL INFO

  • The currency in Croatia is Euros  

  • Time-zone: GMT +1.  

  • Phone code: (+385)  

  • Language: Croatian and English 

  • Temperature: average April 15 degrees Celsius  

  • Croatia’s water is safe to drink 

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

The event is very lucky to have secured the services of Leo Francis as official event photographer. He has worked on several of Rat Race’s international events before, meaning not only is he an excellent photographer but he also really ‘gets’ these types of events.  

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For this challenge, we are doing photography a little different than run-of-the-mill standard event photography, but an entirely standard approach for us and it’s tried and tested – to 1000s of customers’ satisfaction. Instead of Leo shooting and you then you select a number of photos post-event from a fairly unwieldy and piecemeal selection (leading to a lot of wastage in the shots and hours spent spreading the editing thinly across ‘anything and everything)’ we want the service to be as personal as possible. We think that something this epic deserves that.  

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Leo will therefore be offering a one-price, advance purchase arrangement. He will shoot you in action and provide an amazingly varied series of shots of you out there doing your stuff; plus, a selection of general event photos, provided as a digital album. He will also include individual portrait shots of yourself, working with him directly to create some special shots.  

The price for this service is £125. If you would like to use this service, please tick the box in the pre-event form and you will be sent an invoice. The service is available for participants and crew. The crux here is that he will ONLY shoot those who sign up to the service in advance, ensuring he is concentrating on those who have taken the plunge. This ensures that he can 100% focus on the job in hand for those who wish to purchase; and avoids the wastage of hundreds of shots on the edit-room floor. For clarity, Leo is doing this at his own risk and all proceeds of photo sales go to him. We believe this is an excellent service, at a very keen price, from a class photographer. It is of course not in any way compulsory.  

CONTACT DETAILS AND ACTIONS CHECK LIST

1.) For ALL pre-event email correspondence prior to departure: 


2.) Emergency correspondence from people who need to get in touch with you (i.e. from those who need to contact you) IN EMERGENCY ONLY while you are embarked on the event: events@ratrace.com.


The originator should quote ‘Emergency correspondence for (yourname)’ in the email title and they must provide a phone number for return comms. This will be patched through to our crew’s mobile phones, (or satellite messaging platform if we are out of reception) from our office and a satellite phone will be made available for you to return the comms to the originator. We would aim to provide a suitable response period of within 24 hrs for this service to the originator. 


Please, please, please do tell your family and supporters NOT to contact us about Tracker Emergencies!


3.) A WhatsApp group will be created a few days before departure. This will be the main point of contact leading up to the event itself.

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COMMS COVERAGE AND DATA

You will most likely have phone reception in Croatia. There should be WiFi for the majority of accommodation.   

FINAL CHECK LIST 

Submit pre-event form details by 29th February 2024.  

Medical forms must be filled out by 29th February 2024.

That’s it. Pheeeww!  

  

See you in Croatia 

 

Abbi Naylor

 Event Director 
Rat Race Head of Expeditions

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