If two words were used to describe the third race of the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series they wouldn’t be “dry” and “hot”. The heavens opened up as Canberra experienced its wettest weekend in almost a decade. As with any good Adventure Race though both the competitors and organisers persevered and were duly rewarded. A slight course change resulted in the absence of water activities but the competitors definitely weren’t dry, they were swimming all race!
After a quick sprint around Tuggeranong Town Park and a mathematical equation it was SlackRRRs on to the bikes first with Stingers hot on their wheels. Both teams set a cracking pace but Stingers were able to pass them and open a lead of over two minutes at the start of the first orienteering leg on Farrer Ridge. Triple Treat lead early amongst the women and were only five minutes off the overall lead coming off the bikes.
Choices had to be made and best routes decided as the teams were able to visit any eight of fourteen checkpoints on foot. With two Australian orienteering representatives, including the current number one ranked male – Julian Dent, it was hard to see the Stingers being overhauled on this leg and when they arrived back at the transition they had opened up a lead of nine minutes. Just Peachy had the second fastest time for the leg and assumed the lead in the women’s category. SlackRRRs maintained second place and Blackheart Ultrafit moved into third with a strong leg.
A short but hilly ride gave the teams the choice of going over or around Mt Wanniassa before another short orienteering leg amongst the rocks of Wanniassa Hills. On leaving Wanniassa Hills the Stingers had opened a seventeen minute lead with SlackRRRs still in second. Out of Range had moved up to third after Blackheart Ultrafit extended their adventure amongst the rocks. Just Peachy flew around and came out fifth overall, just behind Griffins.
From here it was a race to the finish via a checkpoint on Mt Stranger. Unfortunately the planned run/swim leg along the Murrumbidgee River was cancelled due to safety concerns arising from the inclement weather. Despite a broken chain the Stingers cruised home to give Nathan Versey his second victory for the season. SlackRRRs arrived fourteen minutes later to comfortably take second. Australian Geographic Outdoor Mag took nine minutes out of the deficit to Out of Range but fell agonisingly short, missing out on the final podium by twenty-two seconds. These three teams claimed the top three positions in the mixed category. Second in the Men’s category was Sexy Never Left with Spirit Kickers – Paddy Pallin third. Just Peachy dominated the female teams, winning by twenty-five minutes. Crash Course Navigators were second and Triple Treat third.
The racing on the Novice Course was much tighter with the Dawson family teaming up as MAGics to sprint to victory only forty-nine seconds in front of CIC Australia. Dong, Dick ‘n Mick were third and the winner of the Men’s category. The Cycle Ed Chicks showed that the Cycle Education courses do the trick as they took out the Women’s category. The ingenuity award goes to The Deceptacons: when faced with tyre troubles and none of the usual gear to fix it they took some chewing gum and their mandatory crepe bandage to make a field dressing. It got them home!
Another special mention goes to the Yeung and Carroll families. As they got to the end of the course the rain started coming down really hard. When faced with the option of early finish to get warm and fed they stuck it out and showed determination to finish the course. They aimed to finish the whole course and they wouldn’t stop until they did. It’s what Adventure Racing is all about, pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone!
A huge thank you to Tuggeranong for hosting a wet yet fun 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 who came out in force for this event with the welcome shelter of their big circus tent, and their energy shot station out on the course!
Organisers are particularly grateful (and impressed!) with the volunteers for this race who turned up despite less than ideal weather conditions and toiled throughout the day to help make this event happen. So thank you to: Vanessa, Jennifer, Kim, Alice, Anna, James, Malcolm, and of course and as always, Bob and Drude.
The fourth and final stop on the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series road show for 2009/10 is Nelson Bay on March 13th. Entries are open now (click here to enter) and the coasteering is something you won’t want to miss!
