Q:What airport will we fly into? How far is this from the staging camp?
A: You’ll want to fly into the Liberia, Costa Rica (airport code LIR) known officially as Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport You can of course choose to fly into San Jose, but you will have to get to Liberia on your own. (about 3.5 hours drive time or 45 min shuttle flight) We will transport you and your bike boxes to the staging area.
Q:Will we need to plan any lodging? Will there be any provided to us?
A: Upon arriving to the staging area on the evening of February 21st, competitors will have a chance to assemble their bikes and their lodging will be covered at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin before the race begins on the 22nd. For the rest of the event we will be camping at a nearby staging area with kitchen, shower and toilet facilities. All you’ll need is a tent or hammock.
Q:What type of conditioning is expected for this event? Is it highly competitive?
A:The locals will be very competitive but the route, format and categories will allow for a broad spectrum of people to participate on a competitive level.
Q:What type of athlete is this race designed for?
A:Someone who enjoys and embraces adventure, self-exploration and testing their boundaries in extreme environments.
A:There are plenty of outdoor activities and places to explore for any family members who are not competing but that have come to support. They are also 30-40 minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
Q:What kind of terrain should we expect throughout the race course?
A:There will be a variety of mixed terrain, a lot of gravel and hard pack roads on bike, as well as some single track sections, both along dry forest area and tropical jungle area, a lot of ups and downs and moderate to difficult hills, and some very fast down hills on the bike. The running terrain will vary from roads to trails in dry, tropical and mountain cloud forest with steep ascents, and open exposed areas, along with canyon running/scrambling sections.
Q:Will there be qualified medical staff on the course?
A:Yes. We will be supported by Adventure Med. They are experts in outdoor emergency response and medical care in the field of adventure sports and multi-sports.
Q:What type of race conditions should we expect (i.e. temperature, elements)?
It’s a mixed bag of weather conditions and micro-climates. Expect both dry conditions at times and relatively high humidity at other times, The sun is very strong as we are only about 10 degrees North of the equator, There will be the possibility of high winds up high and rain and mud on the Atlantic side of the mountain range, so basically be prepared for sun, wind, mud, rain with both hot and cool conditions possible depending on the day.
Q:Will we need to pack tent and/or hammock for the staging camp?
A:We recommend bringing both.
Q:What are the different race categories? male vs female, co-ed?
A:Open category in the solo division. Male and Coed in the pairs for now but we hope to attract enough woman to create a female pairs as well and keep it interesting. We would absolutely love to include a female category but we just need to have a large enough number represented.
Q:What is the layout of the camp where we will be staged? What is the camp name?
A:We’ll be at Rancho Curubande . It is a vast orchard on rolling hills set up high, with a beautiful view of the plains below and the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
There are three horses that roam freely here and it is very peaceful.
Q:What does our entry fee include?
A: Race registration, shuttle service to and from Liberia International Airport or Liberia for you and your bike box, all meals during race, competitor schwag bag, 1 night accommodation at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, post race trips and prizes.
Q:What is the symbology of the name “Duel in the Sun”?
A: It is simply a call to action and a motif that pays homage to the rich tradition of a good old-fashioned duel in settling points of honor and recognition of prowess.
Q:Will there be aid stations on the course?
A:Yes there will be aid stations set on course and their approximate locations will be made included in a race guide handed out at competitor check-in.
Q:Will there be a schedule of events available for the weekend?
A:Yes. We will be creating an event itinerary and posting it soon on the web site.
Q:When do we need to plan our arrival/departure?
A:You should plan to arrive no later than late afternoon on the 21st for a pre-race briefing early that evening. You should plan to depart late afternoon on the 24th. We will have shuttles bring you to into Liberia and the airport.
A:Yes. All meals will be catered at the staging area, starting on the February 22nd and vegetarian diets will be accommodated. Just inform the organization ASAP.
Q:Will we have access to internet? Telephone?
A:Yes, there will be access but it will require going to Liberia, 20 minutes away by shuttle, and shuttles will be coordinated in advance through our media person.
Q:Will there be awards? What about prize money?
A:Yes, there will be special awards in the form of trips or prizes but no prize money at this time.
Q:How is the course measured? Will the distances be accurate?
A:The bike leg is measured on bike with an odometer and the running legs will be measured with a surveyor’s wheel so the distances will be very accurate.
