What is MiniEco’S?:Andrew Brown (Father, participant & winners of the Social Category):
“Thanks for a well organised Mini Eco yesterday, having arrived with reservations as to whether we would complete the event, we were pleasantly surprised to find how achievable it was. Strath (age 12) is already planning his school calendar around the next event”
Allistar Banks (part of winning team in the Competitive Category):
What fantastic concept in a truly scenic backdrop, one that many of us drive past regularly without taking the time to pop in. I find this idea a refreshing diversion to cater for people sceptical of their ability to handle a long endurance race but longing to part take in the adventures that comes with it. This will be a great platform for school participation. I'm certainly recommending to the schools and friends in my network, Thankyou.
One of the most exciting multi-sport challenges in Zimbabwe & is setup in a 'Series' of 6 events in which different categories of Teams can participate. Each event has two consistent disciplines Mountain biking & hiking/trail running. Thereafter the event format is a surprise! - hence the “adventure” part of the name. Team's could paddle across dam's on tubes-river walk 'aka kloofing'-orienteer-camp out-skirmish & perform other crazy outdoor stuff - Technically, swimming is not a listed discipline but ROC do reserve the right to get racers wet. This fun event will have you doing things in places you never experienced before!
What are the dates so far:| 30th May: | MiniEco'S 1: Jacana Yacht Club-Lake Chivero | Click Here Results |
| 13th Jun: | MiniEco'S 2: Bushman Rock - Ruwa | Click Here Results |
| 22nd Aug: | MiniEco'S 3: Allister Banks Farm – Ruwa | Click Here Results |
| 11th & 12th Sep: | MiniEco'S 4: Gosho Park – Marondera | Click Here Results |
| 31st Oct: | MiniEco'S 5: Bally Vaughn – Shamva Road | Click Here Results |
| 12th & 13th Feb: | MiniEco'S 6: Trev Elliot Farm - Goromonzi | Click Here For Info |
Who Participates?:
All levels - from kids, weekend warriors to elite athletes and anyone in between.
There is a MiniEco’S category for every appetite:| Category | # Team Members | Distance | Level |
| Social | 2 to 4 people Minimum age 12 |
Per day... Bike 20 to 40Km Hike 1 to 2 Hrs Other disciplines will vary |
Not sure if you’re ready to bite off a full
MiniEco’S course? This is your category! All Team Members are on course at all times. |
| Schools | "Hoo Ha" Put the bets down-come on Schools take up the Challenge! All Team Members are on course at all times. |
||
| Competitive | Per day... Bike 40 to 60m-Hike 2 to 3 Hrs Other disciplines will vary |
For the athletically fit All Team Members are on course at all times. |
|
| Relay | 2 to 6 people Open to all ages |
Per day... Bike 20 to 40Km Hike 1 to 2 Hrs Other disciplines will vary |
Great for team building and those who could use a breather during the event A minimum of 2 team members must complete each leg of the course |
Additional info:Social: This category includes: men’s, women’s and co-ed teams. All Team Members complete all legs of the event together
Schools: This category includes: any gender from 12+ including Headmaster's, Teachers, Housemaster's etc. All Team Members complete all legs of the event together
Competitive: This category is for the regular multi discipline athletes as the course offers longer distances, harder terrain & presents Teams with a harder challenge!
Relay: This category is ideal for friends, families, Gym's, Corporates looking for a great way to get your group involved with a unique team-building event. The MiniEco’S Relay course remains the same as the 'Social' course. However, the Relay Teams will consist of at least 3, but no more than 6 individuals. The teams can be made up of any gender and each team member can complete as many legs of the course as they like, but a Minimum 2 team members must complete each leg of the course. This gives the opportunity for entrants to catch their breath, compete in legs that they are stronger in.
It’s a flexible and fun category!
Course Regulations & Format:
Teams will navigate the course via Handheld Outdoor GPS (compulsory equipment) focusing on area attractions & landmarks.The course starts & ends at an transition area. This is a 'spoke & hub' event meaning ALL legs 'spoke' out from the transition area & always comes back to the 'hub' (start/finish/transition area).
All teams must complete each leg of the course as directed in the 'Route Instructions'
Since the course is an 'Adventure', Team Captains will be issued Instructions for Leg 1 before event start & subsequent instructions may also be issued then or could be issued as & when Teams 'check in' at the transition.
The goal is to complete the course as defined by the designated “Check Points (CP's)” on each leg of the challenge. In all Events Team Route Instructions & Format will be issued at 'Event Briefing', these may be for the complete days Challenge or just for 1st leg! Dependant on location & available resources the event will feature multiple disciplines.
Registration & Payment:
1. 'Pre-Event':
a. On the Web Click Here
b. Via Email on the official MiniEco’S Excel Form & we will email Entry Form & you email back Click Here
c. Manually on the official Form. To download form Click Here you can also email this form back to us
NB: Closes 48 hours before the event
2. 'On the Day'
• Payment of Entry Fees:
1. ‘Pre–Entry’: $10 per Team Member per day unless otherwise specified & payment can be made as follows…
i. Bank Deposit (for bulk payments of Team entry fees)
Standard Chartered Bank, Borrowdale Branch 5128
Ironwill Acc. No. 8740212395400
NB. Please bring deposit slip to Event & present at Entry desk
ii. ‘Pre-Entry’: Cash $10 per Team Member unless otherwise specified & payment can be at Entry desk on the day of the
Event (please bring exact amount)
2. ‘On the Day Entries’: Cash $15 per Team Member per day unless otherwise specified & at Entry desk
(please bring exact amount) NB. On the Day entry fees will be levied at 50% more than Pre-Entry fees
Disciplines: Possible (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) activities found on MiniEco’S course:
Compulsory Equipment:On the Bike & Hike
• 1 x GPS per Team plus spare batteries (recommend more the 1 GPS per Team though)
NB. If you hire GPS from ROC it is still your responsibility to supply couple of sets of AA Alkaline batteries)
• 1 x Hand-Held Compass per Team
• 1 x Cellphone per Team (fully charged, battery & if pre-paid)
• 1 x small First Aid Kit per Team to include:
Foil survival blanket-First Aid Dressings x 3 (Sizes 2, 3 & 4)-Adhesive first aid plasters x 5-Sun-block with a minimum SPF factor of 15
• 2 x Water Bottle +/- 750ml and/or 1 x Hydration Pack per Team Member
• 1 Digital Camera per Team (or Cell Phone that takes pictures is acceptable)
• Pencil or Pen per Team
• 1 x Whistle per Team Member
• Some cash per Team Member ($10 in 1's)
On the Bike Only
• Accessories & Bike Spares per Team to include:
2 x Spare Tubes
1 x Tyre Pump
1 x Patch Kit (be sure the glue is fresh)
Tyre Tools, Allen Keys
1 x Chain Break
• 1 x Mountain bike for each Team Member (unless a relay)
• 1 x Bike helmet for each Team Member (unless a relay)
On the Hike Only
• Hat/Cap per Team Member
• All Terrain Track Shoes per Team Member (unless a relay dependant on who is doing what discipline)
• Plus other equipment e.g. 20 Meters Nylon Rope per Team, required to participate in that Events disciplines, notification of this
will go out 2 weeks prior as Event specific
2 Day if night out is part of the event:
• All of the above plus...
• 1 x Small Spade/Trowel per Team
• 1 x Cookset- Camping Gas Stove per Team (As NO wood fires are allowed)
• 1 x Fuel & Matches per Team ((in Ziploc)
• 1 x Lightweight Tent or Bivvy per Team
• 1 x Headlamp/Torch plus spare batteries per Team Member
• 1 x Set Spoon/Fork/Bowl/Cup per Team Member
Recommended Kit List:
On the Bike
• Tube Slime or Tubeless Tyres
• 2 x Spare Tubes
• 1 x Spare Tyre
• 1 x Spare Chain
• Sunblock (Body + Lips)
On the Hike
• 20 Meters Nylon Rope per Team
• Walking Stick
• Backpack- Men 37-65 litre - Women 37-55 litre pack NB: Pack as light as possible
• Recommended Backpack weight when packed- Men max 14 Kgs - Women/Juniors max 10 Kgs
Camp Out on 2 Day
• Sleeping Bag + Plastic bag to pack it in
• Mattress or Ground mat or Thermo-rest
• Extra Sunblock (Body + Lips)
• Mozzie Repellent
Clothing
• Waterproof Windsheater or Lightweight Poncho
• Tracksuit (sleeping)
All dependant on nights out
• Shirts (one walking, one sleeping)
• Walking Shorts (lightweight/quick-drying)
• Underwear
• Socks
• Wide Brimmed Hat
• Plastic Bag/Ziploc for dry & wet kit
• Footwear- All Terrain Shoes or Walking Boots (well worn in)
• Rafters/Slops-Optional for kloofing/tubing & good for walking around camp
Cook/Meal
• Pocket Knife
• Food- Light weight, high energy foods such as:-
• Muesli & Powdered Milk (mixed together), Vitamins, Power Bars, Nuts & Raisins, • Dried Fruit, Biltong, Jelly Babies,
Rice/Noodles, Tea/Coffee,
• Sugar & Milk, Dehydrated Meals, Sachets of Energy Drink etc.
Note- Portion exact meal requirements into Ziploc's
THEN DISTRIBUTE THE LOAD - DO NOT ALL BRING EVERYTHING.
Team Check-In:• The Captain from each team needs to check-in at the ROC registration desk as per 'Event Timing Table'
NB: Please abide by these timing as crucial to events success!
• If your Team 'Pre-Registered' pay entry fee
• If you are registering 'On the Day' present yourself with your Teams Full details & entry fee at the Registration table
in accordance 'Event Timing Table'...
Team Name, Email, Cell number, Medical Aid scheme & number
At Team check-in you will...
• Pick up Team's Numbers
• Sign the race waiver **
• Get any last minute questions answered by ROC
**NB: Only one Team Member (preferably the Captain) is needed to check in, but all are welcome.
The Captain needs to be authorised to sign waiver on behalf of all Team Members prior to participating in the race.
If your Team entered online or via email then then the waiver is 'Auto Ticked' & accepted by all Team Members.
For entrants under 18, a parent/guardian must sign the event waiver regardless.
| EVENT TIMING'S | |
| Time of Day | Action |
| Midnight 48 Hours | Pre-Event Entries Closes |
| 06:30 | 'On the Day' Entries Open Team Captain fills in the Official MINIECO’S Entry Form & submit with FULL payment |
| 06:45 | 'Pre-Registration' Team Captain checks in at Registration table If prior payment has not be made then FULL payment is submitted |
| 07:30 | Registration Table Closes |
|
GPS Downloads Open Team Captain reports to ROC desk to have GPS downloaded NB: Please ensure the GPS… 1. Has its own download cable 2. All Waypoints, Routes, Tracks & Active Tracks are cleared off GPS prior to reporting for download |
|
| 07:30 | GPS Downloads Closes |
|
Pre-Race Briefing Opens All Teams Members report to Transition Area for briefing |
|
| 07:50 |
Pre-Event Start All Teams report to Start Line for Compulsory Kit Check |
| 08:00 |
Event Starts In seeded order |
How long will the Event take?:See 'Who Participates' section...
The Competitive Course is designed to travel for 6 to 8 hours per day on average.
The Social, Schools & Relay Course is approximately half the time of the Competitive category determined by your Team's speed
NB: Some teams get lost, confused, forget to have fun, get a flat tire, end up at a bar, etc all variables may delay teams
Where do we keep our stuff during the Event?:The transition area, aka the 'Hub' will be secure. Teams keep all their gear here while out on the course
Bring a shelter/tent if you’d like to keep your team and gear out of the elements
Where should my supporters/entourage watch from?:
The MiniEco’S routing may be difficult for spectators as the course takes participants 'into da bush', BUT we encourage supporters to spectate
outside the 'Hub'Where possible we will advise of spectator points easily accessed on the course but is the responsibility of the supporter to get, find & return on 'under their own steam'.
NB: The best way for your supporters to see you is to volunteer out on the course, have them contact us - This person can help with handing out instructions/maps, nutrition, equipment…just be sure to get them an official wristband from ROC at team check-in so they can be clearly identified on the course.
What technology can the Team use during the race and what is not allowed?:Legal- GPS, fancy cellphones, phone-a-friend, ask a stranger for directions, maps & spying on other teams
Illegal- Private transportation including friends or hitch hiking. Using motorized “bikes”, stealing clues, cheating in general
What sorts of things slow teams down?:
The 7 P's normally!(Proper Prior Preparation Prevents £%#! Poor Performance)
Poor route planning, getting lost, not reading the directions on instructions & not completing all the tasks required. Not knowing how to use a GPS & not having spare batteries (Batteries normally last 5 to 7 Hours). Blown tyres & other bike malfunctions are a bummer, get your bike tuned up before the event & bring spare tubes!
Ensure you know what that particular event entails so your Team knows & has all required compulsory & recommended equipment especially if it is a 2 day event that includes a 'camp night out'
Have a question not in this list?:
We would be glad to answer them please
Click HereLooking forward to seeing you at the event's
Regards ROC