Southern Storm | The Southern Storm is a full-service Duathlon set within the spectacular Garden Route National Park.

Race Rules

Race Rules and the Environment

By hosting the first ever Otter Run on one of our iconic hiking trails, SANParks is sending a very strong message; that they are willing to consider other responsible uses of our National Parks. It also demonstrates that they recognise, welcome and value trail runners as visitors, users and lovers of our National Parks. It is not a decision that they have taken lightly and their future hosting of this event and similar events is dependent on the successful staging of this event and the recommendations of the associated Environmental Management Plan (EMP). That said they have made it abundantly clear that they will not tolerate the compromising of any environmental ethos by the event management and participants in the staging of this event.

The Southern Storm traverses the most beautiful sections of the Garden Route National Park from East to West – most of its trail Runs and MTB Rides are on land that belongs to SAN Parks and Cape Nature – other sections are on land that belongs to MTO Forestry and private landowners. Most of this land is generally NOT open to trail running or mountain biking and athletes that trespass at any time of the year will receive a lifetime ban from participating in the Southern Storm or Otter Event. Trespassers can expect the justified wrath of landowners and the law and their names will be forwarded to the race office for us to implement this lifetime ban.

However some of the routes are accessible to the public for hiking, trail running and mountain biking with a valid permit. For permits, please contact MTO Forestry, Cape Nature and South African National Parks directly.

Athletes
1. All athletes have to wear the provided race bibs at any time during the race.
2. Athletes will compete in 4 categories namely:
  Open Stormchasers Men.
  Open Stormchasers Ladies.
  Vet Stormchasers Men (+ 40 years)
  Vet Stormchasers Ladies (+ 40 years)
Trail Running Sections
1. Most Trail Running Sections are on technical terrain and trail running shoes are required.
2. Hiking Sticks are allowed.
MTB Sections
1. Only bicycles in sound mechanical condition will be allowed to start the race.
2. The race number board must be placed in front of all cables.
3. Each rider is responsible for the maintenance of his/her own bicycle and that it is in a safe working order.
4. The race organizers will supply a technical area, at each of the overnight venues, where bicycles can be serviced and repaired.
Helmets
1. It is compulsory to wear a helmet at all times during the race, failing to do so will result in immediate disqualification.
Equipment (compulsary)
1. Cellphone for stages 2-5 in dry pouch, fully charged (cellphone is not compulsary for the Otter as there is hardly any coverage)
2. Backpack or Hydration pack or Water bottle carrying Hip belt
3. Hydration bladder or water bottles
4. Emergency blanket
5. Whistle
6. Outer shell
7. Weather dependent extras (may be mandatory in the event of inclement weather)
8. Lightweight Fleece jersey or jacket
9. Base Layer
10. Beanie
Equipment (Recommended)
1. First aid kit consisting of the following:
  1 x Stretch bandage
  Adhesive plasters
  Foil survival blanket
  Sun block with a minimum SPF factor of 20.
2. Each rider is responsible for his own personal medication as prescribed by his physician.
3. Bike repair tools
  Spare tubes
  Multi tool
  Replacement derailleur hanger
  Inflation device (Pump etc)
Hydration & Nutrition
1. Riders are responsible for their own hydration & nutrition.
2. Water and Munchie Stations are only provided on Transition Points (MTB/Run)
Medical
1. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that he/she is well prepared to take on a race of this nature.
2. The race doctor and his medical team reserves the right to prevent any rider from continuing the race if it deems necessary. Their decision is final.
Timekeeping
1. Athletes enter as individuals and will be timed individually (Male & Female Athletes will be ranked separately).
2. Depending on the terrain the race starts in staggered start intervals or as a mass start.
3. All athletes will carry their personal electronic chip timing which will record Start-/Transition-/ and Finishing Times. Split times and accumulative times will be posted each night in the Race Village. Final results will be based on accumulative overall time.
4. If an athlete looses his/her timing dibber he will be given the slowest time + 10% for that leg.
Cut off times and withdrawals
1. Cut off times apply especially to the Otter Run – to make sure all runners get off the trail safely.
2. Cut off times on the following days are very generous allowing even the back markers to easily finish
3. An athlete not making the cut off will be allowed to continue all stages. He will be given the slowest time + 10% for that leg.
4. Any withdrawals has to be communicated to the race office immediately
5. An athlete that withdraws during the race must please convey his/her intentions to the nearest marshal.
Stages
1. The organizers reserve the right to change a stage or completely abandon a stage if necessary.
2. It is the athlete’s responsibility to follow the correct route, and to ensure that they have studied the stage maps before the start.
Traffic rules
1. General traffic rules apply on public roads.
Support
1. Medical assistance will be supplied en route in the form of medical officers along the course.
2. We do not allow assistance to any athletes from anyone outside of the race that being in the form of medical, nutritional or technical assistance.
3. Only assistance from fellow athletes is allowed.
4. No other seconding vehicles other than the ones of the Southern Storm are allowed on the route. If any non official seconding vehicle can be linked to a specific athlete, it will result in a time penalty, with a second offence resulting in immediate disqualification.
Athlete etiquette
1. The integrity of each athlete is relied upon regards to staying on the course and competing within the rules.
2. If an athlete leaves the course, for whatever reason, he has to enter course at the exact same spot he exited it.
3. Basic athlete etiquette applies at all times, not bringing the sport in disrepute.
4. We travel through ecologically sensitive areas and littering will result in disqualification. Any form of littering will results in fines imposed.