Mandatory Gear
Mandatory Gear Lists
The mandatory gear list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe during the event and in New Zealand's unpredictable weather systems. If you would normally take something extra on a run of this duration, you should still take it.
The course passes through remote trails, where protection from the elements and medical/support services could be some time/distance from athletes needing assistance. It is therefore imperative that the mandatory gear is carried at all times.
In order to reduce waste, we are a cupless event. Athletes are strongly advised to carry their own drinking cup, bottle or hydration vest that they can use at aid stations for the selection of drinks. We recommend you also carry water between aid stations. Optionally (but recommended) you should carry any gels or another form of calories with you between aid stations.
Do I need to carry ALL of the mandatory gear?
TUMMiler athletes will be required to carry the full list of mandatory gear for their distance regardless of weather conditions on the day.
TUM102, TUM50 and TUM21 athletes will be advised at 12-noon Wednesday 14th February if all of the mandatory gear listed above must be carried on the day. Based on the expected weather and track conditions, you may not need it all, however we encourage you to plan to need to carry it all and practice this in your training.
Thermal Requirements
Suitable garments:
The mandatory thermal items must be made of either a high performance synthetic material that is made up of fibres which are hydrophobic (ie they do not hold water) or they can be made of lightweight wool (wool does absorb water but it remains warm to wear when wet due to warm air being trapped in lots of tiny air pockets). Garments made of synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester and chlorofibre (PVC) are perfect as the fibres do not hold moisture. Garments made from these materials can feel slightly damp in wet conditions but that is because moisture is held in the tiny spaces between the fibres. As the fibres do not get wet these garments will actually dry out from your body heat while you are wearing them and there is no evaporative cooling effect as the moisture evaporates from the spaces between the fibres. Modern thermal materials may use a small amount of spandex, elastane or Lycra to provide greater shape retention, tighter fit and therefore greater warmth. Garments made of a material that is 94% polyester and 6% spandex are perfect.
Not suitable:
Garments made mostly of synthetic materials such as lycra (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) and coolmax (which is polyester with fibres amended so they do absorb moisture) are not suitable for this event as they hold moisture against your skin and they also wick moisture away very well thus causing substantial evaporative cooling. All compression garments are made of mostly lycra so they are not suitable as your mandatory thermals in this event. Cotton is also unsuitable as it absorbs water and holds the moisture against the wearer's skin. Unlike wool, cotton has no bulk to trap warm air so the wearer remains cold. In search and rescue circles cotton is called "The Fatal Fabric" and "Killer Cotton" for good reason - people die every year when caught out in the elements wearing cotton garments. Other people also caught out in the same conditions who are wearing synthetic and/or wool survive – it’s a very clear cut issue.
INSPECTION OF MANDATORY GEAR
Athletes in the TUMMiler, TUM102 and TUM50 distances must have their mandatory gear pass a pre-race inspection. This can either be done pre-event at an Official Gear Check Store, or at Athlete Check-in.
The list of Official Gear Check stores will be confirmed closer to the event.
If you are unsure if your gear will pass the inspection, or if you wish to avoid the queues at Athlete Check-In, we recommend getting your gear checked in advance. If all of your items pass, the Official Gear Check Store will confirm this on an online form that will sync with your registration. You will not receive a certificate and do not need to bring a certificate or your gear to check-in. If you do not get your gear pre-checked, or if it fails the pre-check, you will need to bring your gear to Athlete Check-In for inspection.
For TUM102 and TUM50 athletes who choose to get their gear inspected at Athlete Check-In, you will only be required to present the items we advise are required at 12-noon Wednesday 14th February.
Athletes in the TUM21 distance must carry the mandatory gear as listed above, but they are not required to undergo any official pre-race checks.
All athletes, including those in TUM21, should be prepared for random spot checks, which may occur at any time during the race. Any infringement may result in disqualification or removal from the event.
Athletes must carry the mandatory gear at all times during the race.
