FAQ 常見問題

 

2018 Kazakhstan Action Asia 3-day Ultra Marathon

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

The wildest experience, AAE has ever organized for a 3day events as there’s truly nothing. Zero electricity. 

Note that this document has been produced to answer frequently asked questions and to help you best prepare for the Kazakhstan 3-day race.

In addition to this document, all participants should ensure that they read (prior to the race) all sections of the Kazakhstan event page; which is listed on the Action Asia Events website. Event webpage link: http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2018-kazakhstan/overview.html

 

What equipment should I bring?
Please refer to the list of equipment on the Action Asia Events – Kazakhstan event (equipment list) webpage. Please ensure that you bring all of the MANDATORY items listed. The RECOMMENDED items are optional but as the name suggests, highly recommended.

Equipment list webpage: http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2018-kazakhstan/equipment.html#content

Note: If you are looking to purchase last minute equipment, please head to Action X Store in Sheung Wan or Discovery Bay.

 

Is a sleeping bag compulsory/necessary or are there bed sheets?
It is compulsory all participants need to bring their own sleeping bag (10C rating).  No pillow provided (please bring your own, or 2 shirts rolled up).

 

What will be the overnight temperature? What is the temperature at the start of the race in the morning and what is the approximate temperature at the hottest part of the day?
Past Weather in Almaty Link: Click here

2 weeks ago, race director Michael Maddess experienced in 24 hours.

(Blue sky and no wind, around 38C; dark clouds and heavy rain, 13C - 26C)

 

Where can I find the trip itinerary?
Link: http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2018-kazakhstan/event-info.html#content

 

What is included and what isn’t include?
Please refer to the Action Asia Events – Kazakhstan event webpage, for a list of what is included and what isn’t included with the registration fees.

Link: http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2018-kazakhstan/event-info.html#content

 

What do I have to send to Action Asia Events pre-race?
Flight Information

For those that have already booked their flights, please email payment@actionasiaevents.com with your full flight details, inclusive of arrival and departure times and flight number.

Accommodation Preferences

If you know other people that are participating in the race, please email payment@actionasiaevents.com with your preferred person(s) who you would like to share accommodation with. Please note that traditional Kazak Yurt will be 5 people per yurt and the hotel accommodation will have 2 people per room.

 

What training should I be doing between now and the event?
A hour / day walking or running, as now it’s close to the event. Recommend foot & body massage 4-5 days before the event, as if you find some issues, you can go back again to work on it before the event. 

 

What kind of terrain will we be running across?
Dry soft rocky, canyons with open grass steppes.  It’s important to respect the rabbit/marmot holes as best to spend a few seconds trying to walk around their homes.

 

Do I need a specific pair of hiking or trail running shoes?
Running and trail shoes are ok. We recommend trail shoes in case it rains as wet grass can get slippery. Trail shoes will have better grip. If you need to purchase new shoes, we recommend Action X Store in Sheung Wan.

Note: The Race Director advises all participants to NOT use a piece of clothing or equipment for the first time in Kazakhstan. You should try that clothing/equipment first on some training runs. Ideally multiple times.

Is there dietary options for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes there are vegan and vegetarian options. Around 35% of the food will be vegetarian.  FYI, the Race Director is also vegetarian.

 

What food is provided?

	31 Aug (Fri)	1 Sept (Sat)	2 Sept (Sun)	3 Sept (Mon)	4 Sept (Tue)
Breakfast		Y	Y	Y	Y
Lunch		Y	Y	Y
Dinner	Y	Y	Y	Y*

*Awards ceremony

No alcohol is provided (it may be purchased, but limited)

 

Where should I meet the group if I am not taking the group flight (31 August, Flight no. KC930, ETA 14:40)?

Please meet us at the official hotel (see event page) at 1:15pm on 31 Aug. Bus will then depart at 1:30pm to the airport to pick up the participants who take the group flight and go to the race venue altogether.

 

Where will we have the dinner on 31 August and would we have a chance to buy fruit in Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan style dinner provided at small town after driving 1.5hr from the airport.  Next to the dinner place, opportunities to buy fruit & vegetables from the street market.

 

Can I leave my luggage at the hotel and collect it after the race?
Please email us at payment@actionasiaevents.com 5 days before the race so we can make arrangements.

 

What is provided at the checkpoints?
Water, bananas, oranges and watermelon (could change depending on the season) are provided at each checkpoint.  

As listed on the Equipment List section of the Kazakhstan Event page, participants are encouraged to bring snacks (nuts, trail mix, gels, energy bars etc.) for pre-race, during the race and/or post-race. Just please don’t leave empty wrappers on the course as we want to leave the location spotless clean and not upset the locals.

You are recommended to bring electrolyzed tablets, Nuun tablets, Pocari sweat powder or sachet powder (e.g. HKD50 for 5 sachet powder in a box at supermarkets in your hometown, HKD100 for 10 Pocari sweat powder at Action X Store). Tablets are the easiest to use. The majority of participants use them as they are easy to store in front pockets.

 

How often (km) are the checkpoints?

A checkpoint will be once every 10km (approx.). Total 3 checkpoints every day.

 

How is the course marked?
The course will be marked with colored orange and pink ribbons for different distance and AAE signage. The Race Director will advise this at the race briefing on the night prior to each race (race day 1 morning before the race if flight is delayed).

How often will there be signage / ribbons?
Approximately every 100m unless very tight sections where there will more ribbons at a higher frequency. Please listen to the race briefing every night before the race to see if any changes to this.

 

Is there electricity to charge phones, GPS watch etc.
Definitely no. No telephone reception and internet. Please bring your own charger. (No social media is available so we usually have a record amount communication between participants at this location because everybody was forced to talk to each other.)

 

Is there hot water for shower?
No. Yurt camp has shower for all but no hot water.  AAE is building a make shift tent one for women, one for men connected to running water from underground. 

 

What are the sleeping arrangements like? I.e. how many beds per room?  
First 3 Nights – 5-6 people per traditional Kazak Yurt (same camp for 3 nights), Kazak style yurt is approx. 5 meters wide with one cushion the floor.
Night 4 – The hotel has two beds.

If you have not yet submitted your room requests, please do so now by emailing Jojo at payment@actionasiaevents.com.

 

What is the elevation of the yurt camp?

1040m

 

Are there a bar/drinks for sale?
There is alcohol available for purchase on all nights of the race. You can buy beer or coke at Yurt venue at est. USD 5 per beer. Please bring small US dollar or Kazakhstani Tenge as well.

 

How much should we budget for?
Budget amount depends on each individual participant. I.e. how much food or drinks they will purchase on each day.

 

How much KZT should we budget to bring?
Each day 100 USD = KZT 35,000 should be enough unless you are a heavy drinker/eater…. or like treating your friends.

 

What is the elevation gain and loss each day?
A rough idea on the course would be: 700m – 1000m each day

 

Ultra marathon category (total 100 km over 3 days):
Day 1 - 40 km (1000m - 1500m - 950m - 1000m)

Day 2 - 40 km (1000m – 860m - 920m - 860m - 1000m)

Day 3 - 20 km (1000m – 1100m – 900m - 1000m)

 

Explorer category - good for hiking (total 60 km over 3 days):
Day 1 - 20 km (1000m - 1500m - 1000m)

Day 2 - 20 km (1000m – 860m - 920m - 1000m)

Day 3 - 20 km (1000m – 1100m – 1000m)

Course link: http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2018-kazakhstan/course.html#content

 

What other 3-day events does Action Asia Events host?

Nepal Action Asia 3-day Ultra (2- 4 Nov 2018)

Yunnan Action Asia 3-day Ultra (2019)

Mongolia Action Asia 3-day Ultra (14-16 June 2019)

_________________________________where should we go?  How many days?

 

Should you have any further questions or suggestions, please email enquiry@actionasiaevents.com.

We look forward to seeing you in Kazakhstan!

 

Action Asia Events Team
www.actionasiaevents.com