Aid stations and self-sufficiency
The Akamas Blossom races will demand a high level of self-sufficiency from runners, especially for the 38km and 60km races. Due to the remote and inaccessible areas the race course covers, there will sometimes be long distances between refreshment stations, up to 20km. Runners need to have sufficient water-carrying capacity to be able to carry enough water between aid stations. For environmental reasons, all Cyprus Trail Runners events are also cupless at refreshment stations - this means runners have to have their own cups and bottles to refill water and drink coke/juice/electrolytes at the stations.
Aid stations
60km: There are five aid stations/checkpoints along the way - 20km, 29km, 36km, 43km, 54km.
38km: There will be two aid stations/checkpoints--20km, 29km.
24km: It has two aid stations -- 7km,18km.
These will be finalised before race day, with details to be sent out in the race briefing.
These Sea to Summit collapsible cups are easy to carry with you and are suitable for cold and hot drinks -- perfect for cupless races. Available from Get Out Outdoor Store in Strovolos, Nicosia.
Compulsory and recommended kit
60km, 38km: Water-carrying capacity of 1.5 litres, reusable cup/bottle, phone, whistle, survival blanket/warm long-sleeve layer. Poles are allowed.
24km: Water-carrying capacity of 1litre, reusable cup/bottle, phone, whistle, survival blanket/warm long-sleeve layer. Poles are allowed.
Course marking
The Akamas Blossom races will be minimally marked out this year to try to reduce our race's environmental footprint on the planet as much as possible by using fewer marking materials, and to prevent tape from coming down and blowing away in a sensitive coastal area. This means that runners will have to take more responsibility for navigation by studying the race route well before race day and downloading the GPX track onto their watches or phones. It will be possible to follow the course without the GPX track, but we strongly recommend having the GPX track available to assist you if needed. It is also always possible that race markings are removed/tampered with after we put them up -- the GPX will then be essential. GPX and KML routes will be sent out to all runners well before race day.
All intersections, turn-offs and tricky sections will be clearly marked with coloured laminated race arrows (we collect and reuse these) - orange for the 24km and yellow-green for the 38km -- but do not expect to see race markings at regular intervals on long straight tracks or on public hiking trails. Coloured chalk markings will also be added where possible, as well as some tape at particularly tricky sections/intersections where it is difficult to mark out clearly otherwise.
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