This kit list is from our 2023 event - you will be notified of any changes to this list ahead of the event you have signed up for.

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What’s the weather like?
Well, it’s most likely going to be cold and fresh. It is the Arctic after all! But it can also be sunny and clear and in the daytime, ambient temperatures typically sit around + 2 to 0 degrees. At night it will typically go down to around -10 but can also reach -20. We benefit from a good long day with plenty of daylight.

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Sun protection
Whilst it is never warm, that sun will be strong. Exposed extremities such as noses, ears and lips will need good levels of sun protection. As will sunglasses andgoggles with at least Cat 3 protection. 

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Cold weather gear
Clearly the cold is a big issue to contend with here, but this challenge is designed so that you do not necessarily need a whole host of specialist kit. It is true you will need a good down jacket and a decent sleeping bag, rated down to a comfort level – 20°C. You can however rent these garments from the likes of www.expeditionkithire.co.uk and www.outdoorhire.co.uk or you can hire in advance to pick up at Tromso outdoors.

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Bike kit
Bikes are provided so please do not plan to bring your own,  this will come with a helmet but you may bring your own if you prefer. You should plan to use a small rucksack and hydration bottles as you would on the ski and shoe days. As standard, rental bikes are provided with flat pedals as you may need to hop on and off regularly you should not wear cleats. You should plan to ride in the boots you plan to snow shoe in.
 

Ski kit
you will be provided with a set of Back Country skis plus boots and poles. These boots have a NNN BC binding so if you have your own boots bring them along. You will wear your own clothing, as outlined below.

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Snowshoes
You will be provided with a set of snowshoes and poles. 

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Hut and Cabin life
A significant portion of the trip will be spent in our comfy accommodation in Kilipisjarvi, plus a night in the wilderness camp.  You will need a sleeping bag, a inflatable Therm-a-rest or similar and a foam roll mat for the camp. There are power outlets, TV, showers, sauna and some creature comforts at the accommodation. 

Camping is a true wilderness experience and there are no amenities except a communal fire and a long-drop toilet in an outdoor privy.

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Nutrition
We will insist that you have some electrolyte replacement items with you – these are invaluable to re-instating equilibrium when you are exerting yourself. Whilst it is clearly not hot, you will be getting moisture beaten out of you with the wind and the cold. Some electrolyte tablets for water and other sports nutrition is recommended just to have in your daypacks, so you are self-sufficient with items that work for you, at all times. We will also ask that you have a flask, so you can carry hot drinks with you. In the Arctic, this can be godsend when you just want a little warmth from the inside.

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THE KIT LIST

Here’s a rundown. We may revise this nearer the time but this should give you a good idea at this stage.

Note: All items are mandatory, unless it says recommended, where they are, well, recommended!

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General kit

• Mid-ankle flexible boot (not a stiff hiking boot)

• Trail running/ hiking apparel – tights or trekking trousers, technical wicking tees/ base layer, long-sleeved wicking layer, mid-layer (e.g. microfleece)

• Base Insulation layer: Full length insulation next-to-skin layer (wicking fabrics advised, such as polypropylene. Silk or mesh ‘string vest’ products are also good).

• Windproof and waterproof upper body and leg cover

• Down jacket with a 750 fill power

• Recommended: Wind stopper gilet or similar armless garment

• Buff or similar neck gaiter

• Balaclava plus spare (spare is for when the first one ices up with condensed air from breath)

• Spare base and mid layers

• Socks – liner and outer

• Blister care kit

• 1 person bivvy bag (not survival blanket, must be a bag) – BUY ONE HERE

• Personal First Aid kit – more detail to follow on exact spec nearer to event date. BUY HERE

• Running day pack to carry spare clothing, bivvy bag, first aid kit, drinks, spare food. Recommended capacity 15 – 30l – BUY HERE

• Hydration system: Minimum of 1.5l carrying capacity at all times. A bladder will freeze so our recommendation would be an insulated metal flask capable of carrying warm drinks plus one other bottle with plastic mouthpieces– BUY HERE

• Woolly or fleece hat

• Flask, - Suitable for hot drink to carry in your day bag. 

• Waterproof Top and Bottoms 

• Expedition meal x 1

• Breakfast x 1

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Equipment

• Sleeping bag: Comfort rating to – 20°C - available to hire from Tromso Outdoors

• 2 Foam Roll mats or 1 roll mat and a self-inflating mattress - available to hire from Tromso Outdoors

• Headtorch rated to 150 lumens minimum. 

• Spare batteries for headtorch

• Sunglasses and goggles with Cat 3 protection

• Casual clothing for use in evenings and transit stages – no formal wear required

• Recommended: General trekking trousers and robust outdoor footwear, given the type of destination

• Recommended: Towel – travel micro towel or full-size

• Personal toiletries including any personal medication required

• Recommended: Multitool or penknife

• Mobile phone

• Power bank for mobile phone

• International plug adaptor 

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IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES FOR THE EVENT THIS WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN THE PRE-EVENT DOCUMENTATION

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Carrying this kit is a requirement of the Event and forms part of our planning in ensuring reasonable measures are put in place to keep you safe should anything go wrong during this adventurous endeavour. We ask you not to take short cuts or ‘second guess’ our advice. For instance, the carrying of waterproofs is required even if rain or snow is not forecast as a means to prevent cooling down too fast if you get injured in a location that is very exposed to wind or extreme cold – remember you may be very tired and sweaty, and who says the forecast is always right? In the Arctic, being prepared is key. It is therefore important that you carry the mandatory kit at all times.

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The emergency kit is important for several reasons:

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1.            It helps you to help yourself should you have a problem.

2.            We are in this together and you may need to assist others if they have a problem.

3.            In the case of an incident our Event Control and safety teams will make decisions based on the knowledge that you all have this equipment.

4.            Carrying the kit is a requirement for everyone and hence provides an equal and fair challenge.

5.            It is part of our risk assessment process that is shared with insurers. Your insurance may be invalid if you do not follow our advice.

6.            If your lack of kit preparation contributes to making an incident more serious, then you may be avoidably drawing resources from our medical team and the emergency services at the expense of others.

7.            Without the kit you will be unable to complete registration. If during the race you are not carrying the mandatory kit then you will be disqualified and deemed to have not completed the challenge.

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Bags

There are 2 bags to be considered for this journey.

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1.) General ‘overnight’ bag (recommended: Holdall or duffel) for spare and general kit. Please go for a MAXIMUM size of around 90 litres and no more than approx 23kg pls. This bag will go forward on each stage and will be available when you get to the overnight location, each night. So you will not see this bag during the day, until you arrive at those locations. We will store it for you while you are on the route.

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2.) Daypack or running vest. This is the bag you will carry with you when you are on all stages. It should contain the mandatory kit, spare clothes, food and water plus your hot drinks flask. We recommend 15l – 30l size range.

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TRAINING

For an undertaking of this nature, where we are clearly talking multiple winter sports, (some of which you may not be used to or can practise freely in your home country), the training should reflect the task at hand in terms of the mirroring of these disciplines, as much as possible. Remember, it is not a race. Set yourself up with a good base fitness and plan for success in doing the distance and being on your feet.

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Bike
Get out on the bike for some long rides, but consistency is best. Get out whenever you can and don’t worry too much on the distance. Time in the saddle is key. Make sure you seek out some hills, too and make sure you are training on and off road. On-road is fine for general biking conditioning. But there is no substitute for off-road riding to train for off-road riding. Of course, riding on snow may be hard to practise if you have no snow. But you can just ride off-road and build up that conditioning. These skills will transfer to the fat bike no problem.

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Ski stage
The best way to train for the skiing is to go and do some cross-country skiing.  In terms of fitness however, any sort of cross training will help – biking, running, trekking, or perhaps a few session on the cross-trainers you find in pretty much all gyms these days. 

We would recommend Scandinavia in general. There are typically excellent networks of cross-country ski trails all over Finland, Sweden and Norway. You can fly to Oslo and be on the trails the same day, using public transport from the city to get there. Or fly to Oslo, take the train to Lillehammer and enjoy wonderful trails over a long weekend, for example.

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Snow shoeing
You will be trekking in showshoes, you cannot run. For the training in all cases, time on your feet will be the key to nailing the snowshoeing. Practise your nutrition, practise in differing conditions and with differing clothing. And makes sure you seek out some hills and forests. If you don’t live in a hilly area, seek out some mini weekend trips that take you up some mountains perhaps. The terrain isn’t mega steep where we are going, but hills just make you stronger on your feet. It is a general conditioning point more than anything.

 

Ultimately, our advice for something like this is to go at your own pace and do several hours of exercise for 3 back to back days. The important thing is – don’t worry too much – we are there to support you. Get yourself to the start line in a decent condition and you’ll get it done. That is the Rat Race way.