A record field of 164 teams tackled the second race of the 2009/10 Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series in Canberra over the weekend.
The opening leg of the classic course saw teams scatter amongst the rocks and tracks of Mt Taylor to collect a number of checkpoints adding to a total of 100 points in any order that they wished. It proved a hectic start and some interesting route choices as the leading teams looked to gain the upper hand early on.
Youth prevailed and the ‘YEAH’ men, aged only 15 and 16 years, came into TA1 first with a minute and a half gap. Their transition wasn’t a quick one though and the Newcastle-based Flash Barry’s Fan Club were onto their tails heading out onto the bike leg. One team that really enjoyed their time on Mt Taylor were adventure racing debutants, The Triple 0 on Speed Dial Crew, who decided to fully explore the area and were on foot for three hours. The enthusiasm and attitude they showed when exiting TA1, eager to keep going and experience all the race had to offer, is what adventure racing is all about!
BlackHeart/UltraFit Magazine looked to be strong on the bike and it proved correct as they moved through the field from fourth to arrive at TA2 in the lead, one minute ahead of BlackHeart/Salomon and Flash Barry’s Fan Club who were neck and neck. ‘YEAH’ men had lost some time and came through in fifth. Puzzle Partners were well onto the way to victory opening up a twenty minute lead by the time they were off the bike. This leg which ran through Oakey Hill, the corner of Deeks Forest and finished with the famous ‘Luge’ section of the Stromlo single track network. The smiles of the competitors coming into TA2 could be seen from a far distance!
The second of the run legs was up next and the leaders had no trouble navigating around the eastern flats of Mt Stromlo, extending their lead to seven minutes over Flash Barry’s Fan Club. The Pink Flamingos had a cracker run and got to within one minute of the leading female team, Puzzle Partners. Old Butt Slow, the third placed mixed team, opened up a gap on the fourth place team, Delerium and looked to consolidate on the next bike leg.
After enjoying one last section of single track the teams headed for the Lake and some cool relief on the water. Before reaching the kayaks teams navigated their way through the pines of Deek’s forest and past the Government House. As the heat began to take a toll the on the field the kayak leg was shortened for all but the top 12 teams who were able enjoy their view of the National Museum and swim from Spinnaker Island back to transition area. The leader board was shaken up slightly with BlackHeart/Salomon moving into second and Flash Barry’s Fan Club only holding a forty-three second gap to Pro Mac Lite in fourth place. Having regained a substantial lead on the bike Puzzle Partners were looking good to maintain it to the finish.
Enjoying a healthy lead allowed BlackHeart/UltraFit Magazine to cruise to the finish thirteen minutes ahead of BlackHeart/Salomon who won the mixed category. Pro Mac Lite leap frogged Flash Barry’s Fan Club into the last overall podium spot and second place in the male category. Lost and Confused were the second mixed team and Old Butt Slow the third. Puzzle Partners won the women’s category ahead of The Pink Flamingos and Run Like a Girl 1.
The Novice race saw teams begin on foot from the pavilion at Stromlo Forest Park. Much like the Classic start, runners took off in all directions in search of the optimum route amongst the creeks and scattered forest of the Holden’s Creek area. It was The Strugglers who were first back to transition ahead of Bearing Down and the leading women, Team JET.
The ensuing bike allowed many teams to regain time lost orienteering and the field was bunched when they reached the end of the longest leg of the race. The front five team were only separated by two minutes. Team JET rode strongly to pull away from the chasing pack in the women’s category whilst Bearing Down didn’t have the best of legs and dropped away from the pack.
Jumping into the kayaks The Incredible Hulks were holding off Eat My Dust and Crystal Approach. The pace was hot and the shoulders hurting as the time gaps allowed teams direct sight of each other and the charge to take the lead was on! The surges and mind games did little to break up the pack and it came down to the final leg and final check point of the race. The family team of Racing Rieses found the correct sign and answer the quickest giving them the opportunity to head for the finish first and take the win. Thirty-eight seconds later Crystal Approach crossed the line and The Incredible Hulks were only a further twelve seconds in arrears. Eat My Dust missed an overall podium place by a meagre four seconds but did take third in the mixed category. Team JET were eighth overall and the leading female team. Cycle Ed Chickadees took second and Pedal Pushers were third in the female.
A huge thank you to Canberra for hosting yet another cracker event and to our sponsors for providing prizes and support for this series: Paddy Pallin, Fitness First, icebreaker, World Expeditions, Salomon, Sea to Summit, UltraFit Magazine, Australian Geographic Outdoor Magazine, GU and Red Bull.
For complete results and photos and to enter the next events of the series go to: www.arocsport.com.au
