Hell and Bacl

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Updated 27th Feb 2012)



GENERAL FAQs
WHAT IS HELL & BACK?
HELL & BACK is a 10k off-road adventure race, featuring man-made and naturally occurring challenges over a variety of terrain, in the private 1,200 acre Killruddery Estate.

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?
Regardless of times and personal bests, this is an event that is not just a hill run / mountain run / assault course / road race / hill walk / orienteering run / adventure race, but a combination of the best parts of all these pursuits!

Here is a map of the Winter 2012 course, which will be very similar to the 7th Oct 2012 course.





WHY SHOULD I DO IT?
If you want to take part in an event that you will be proud to finish...and in doing so you will meet others who share the same sense of adventure as you!

And most importantly, it give you the opportunity to boast about completing "Ireland's Toughest 10K Challenge"!
WHAT DOES MY ENTRY FEE INCLUDE?
  • Exclusive Finisher's Technical T-Shirt
  • Individual Timing Chip & Post-Race SMS
  • Car Parking
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?
As well as individual prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in both Male & Female categories, there are also prizes for the top Female and Male/Mixed teams. There will also be a separate Secondary Schools competition (aged 16+) and prize

The winning team will be the one with the fastest time after all 4 members' times are combined together. Please note that all 4 members must complete the course for your team to get an overall placing.
IS THERE A MASS START?
No, there will be a number of wave starts. There will be an estimated 400 participants in each wave.

CAN I CHANGE WAVES?
The short answer is no, but wave times will be close together so if you are in a different wave to one of your friends, the person who goes first can wait on the course for the second person to catch up. Wave times will be announced 2 weeks before the race so you can make any changes then.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
A light breathable top and shorts, leggings or tights. You will get wet more than once so wicking material is highly recommended. Skin tight leggings are recommended but not mandatory. Gaiters and waterproof trousers are not allowed.

Off-road runners that are well worn-in are the ideal footwear. You will be running through lots of mud so don't buy a new pair of trainers especially for the event as they will get very dirty! For safety reasons, we do not allow walking boots, football boots or cross-country spikes. 

WHAT ABOUT BLISTERS, HOT SPOTS & FRICTION RASHES? 
Don’t use any new gear for this event, have all your clothing and footwear well tested and worn in advance. Use Vaseline or zinc oxide tape to protect any places you have gotten blisters or friction damage in the past. If you are not sure how to tape your feet, find an expert (ie physio) who does - you will be thankful after the race!

WILL I GET WET?
 Yes, as well the twice into The Pond, there is a River crossing, but no deeper than about 4 foot (just above your waist) and there will be a sub aqua unit there to assist as well as ropes to help pull yourself across. There are no swimming sections on the course. 

WILL I GET COLD?
Part of the HELL & BACK challenge is overcoming the elements, as well as the obstacles! We have though designed the course so that, while you will get wet, you should be constantly on the move so you shouldn't get too cold...and resist the temptation to layer up too much!



 ARE THERE TIMEOUTS ON THE COURSE?
No. Most competitors will take a rest at some point but it is not mandatory.

WILL I NEED HELP AT SOME CHALLENGES?
All challenges are designed for individuals who will be tired already so help is not needed. If one competitor wants to help another, no problem. We will also have marshals at the more difficult sections of the course who are available to give a helping hand (and lots of motivation!) if required.

IS THERE ROPE WORK?
While there are no abseiling or technical climbing sections, yes there will be some nets and ropes for you to pull yourself up over/through, such as the 15 foot Monster Mound, the 8 Foot Wall and 6 foot Trenches with Ropes. So it is recommended that you incorporate some upper-body strength work into your training program in advance of the race.

SHOULD I CARRY WATER?
There will be 1 water station on the circuit @ 6k (Avalanche of Mud Challenge) and you will need your hands free for various obstacles so, unless you have a hands-free water device, we don't recommend it. We will be providing complementary cups of tea at the finish line to help you warm up afterwards!

 CAN I LISTEN TO MY I-POD?
No, you will lose or break it!

WHAT IS THE CUT OFF TIME?
For health and safety reasons, you have 2.5 hours to get around the course. The cut off time is 2.5 hours after the last wave and we reserve the right to remove competitors from the event.

CAN I TAKE PART IF I AM UNDER 16?
No, for insurance purposes, you must be over 16 years of age to take part.

 IS THERE A CHARITY ELEMENT TO HELL & BACK?
Yes, click here for more info. 

WILL THERE BE ELECTRONIC TIMING USED?
Yes, you attach your individual timing chip AROUND YOUR ANKLE and the timing mats, at the start and finish line, will note when you cross. You will then receive a personalised SMS with your time after the race. The results will also be posted on our website.

DO I NEED TO NAVIGATE?
No, the course will be clearly marked and marshalled by our event staff with 1km distance markers.

WHAT TRAINING SHOULD I DO?
If you are currently able to run between 5k and 10k, then you can do HELL & BACK.  You cannot replicate the course but you can train for it by running three (3) times (off road at least once) a week and by introducing some hills into your programme. A forest track is ideal to test your progress but an urban environment is fine as long as you vary your pace/distance/gradient.

Also check out the H&B Workshops on the course, which we are running in advance of the big day.
WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT THE EVENT?
This 10K challenge is around one of Ireland's most scenic parts of the country - a private 1,200 acre estates in Co Wicklow. The course will constantly throw up different challenges along the way. You will get a very personal sense of achievement beyond the day itself - after making it through HELL & BACK. 

CAN I DO THIS?
If you think you can, you can!

CAN I VIEW PHOTOS OF PREVIOUS EVENTS
Yes, check out over 400 amazing photos from previous HELL & BACK events on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hellandbackchallenge

CAN I SEE THE RESULTS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS?
Yes, all previous results are detailed on the "I Made it to HELL & BACK" section of this website.
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RACE PACK FAQs

WHAT IS IN MY RACE PACK?
You will receive your race bib number and timing chip.

WHERE DO I PICK UP MY RACE PACK
TBC

WHY SHOULD I PICK UP MY RACE PACK IN ADVANCE?
You are strongly recommended to collect your Race Pack prior to HELL & BACK because it allows you to arrive later on the Sunday morning for the Race

CAN I PICK UP THE RACE PACK FOR ALL MEMBERS OF MY TEAM?
Yes. One team member can pick up the Race Pack for the full team. There will be four envelopes stapled together with the timing chips of each person individually marked on each envelope. You must have Photo ID + your Confirmation Email printed with you to collect the pack.

CAN I PICK UP THE RACE PACK OF OTHER PARTICIPANTS?
Yes although, in a change from previous HELL & BACK events, you can now only pick the Race Pack up of ONE OTHER PERSON. (so two Race Packs per person).  You must have photo ID + Your Registration Confirmation Email printed with you for both packs. To help prevent delays, please also have your race number and those of any other participant with you.

ON THE DAY FAQs

HOW DO I GET TO KILLRUDDERY?
Killruddery House & Gardens is just off the N11 outside Bray so is very easy to get to. 

If you are driving from Dublin, you take the “Bray South / Greystones / Enniskerry” exit 7 from the N11. After the slip road, take a right (3rd Exit - Greystones) at the Topaz roundabout. At the next roundabout, straight through. Past Shoreline Leisure Centre (on left). Follow the signs for “Killruddery House & Gardens” for approx 1km and the main entrance to the estate is on your right hand side (before the Ramada Hotel).

Alternatively print out directions from the map link at:
http://www.killruddery.com/about-2/visiting-us/?doing_wp_cron.

WHERE DO I PARK?
All parking is off-site. Please follow the instructions of our Car Park Attendants, who will direct you to your appropriate car park. 

It will take approx 15 mins to walk from the car park to the Start/Finish Area so please allow this extra time when arriving. 

See map below for full details of Car Parking Plan.
WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY VALUABLES?
There will be a secure area in the Farm Yard for personal valuables (car keys, wallets) close to the Start / Finish Line.  Please note that valuables must fit into a small freezer bag (limited space).  You must have your Indiv Race Bib No to both leave + collect your valuables.

WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY BAG / VALUABLES?
There will be an unattended Bag Drop area close to the Start / Finish Line. Participants leave their kit bags there at their own risk.  It is a good idea to have a change of dry warm clothes for after your H&B experience!

ARE THERE CHANGING FACILITIES?
Yes, there will be separate male and female changing areas close to the Start / Finish Line. Please remember that Killruddery is a working farm so the changing facilities will be pretty basic (Barns) !

It is important to bring a towel and complete change of warm, dry clothes with you for after the event because you will be cold and wet and have a 15 min walk back to your car ahead of you!

ARE THERE SHOWERS?
There are no hot showers in Killruddery but there is an area close to the Start / Finish Line where you will be able to HOSE DOWN & wash off any dirt and muck on you. This is also close to the Bag Drop and changing area so you will be able to clean up and then change into your dry clothes straight after the race. Again, remember that this is a working farm so do not expect luxury!
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TEAM CHALLENGE FAQs

HOW DOES THE TEAM CHALLENGE WORK?
  • There are two team competitions:
    • Female Only (all 4 members are women)
    • Mixed/Male Team (a mixture of guys and girls or all guys)
  • The HELL & BACK Team Challenge is NOT A RELAY RACE!
  • All 4 team members have to start and finish the course to get a combined time.
  • Each team member will have their own individual timing chip (ankle).
  • All 4 team members' times will be added together.
  • The team with the 4 fastest combined times will be deemed the winner.
  • If two teams are tied on the same overall time, the one with the fastest individual time will be higher ranked.
Please note that the Individual and Team challenges are part of the same HELL & BACK Event.
So, if you are part of a team, you are eligible for both competitions - ie the winner of the Individual competition may be part of a team and so their time will also be valid for the team competition. 

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REFUND FAQs

 CAN I GET A REFUND IF I CANNOT DO THE EVENT?
You may be entitled to a refund if you pull out 10 WORKING DAYS or longer before the race. Get in touch with us as soon as possible on 01 2147355 or info@aliveoutside.ie

Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds to people who:
  • pull out within 10 working days of the race;
  • do not show up on race day; or 
  • those who do not finish the course.
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MORE INFO FAQs

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
  • In advance of the race, you can call us in the office on 01 2147355, Monday to Friday from 09:00 until 17:30. 
  • At the race itself, we will have an Information Point close to the Start / Finish Line, where you can ask any questions you have. 
  • All our marshals will also be able to help you out with queries – you wont be able to miss them with their green Alive Outside jackets!

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