Dora Creek flows with Adventure

Paddy Pallin Adventure Race - 2 April 2011, Dora Creek

Dora Creek provided a brand new adventure playground for teams in the fourth and final Paddy Pallin Adventure Race for the 2010/11 series. After some land owner issues there was a last minute change of venue but this did not prevent AROC from producing a course worthy of the 600 plus crowd who arrived at Dora Creek Oval ready to race. Some didn’t have the best morning with one team losing a bike of the car roof on the F3 and another dropping their bikes at a wrong location, something they would only discover mid race!

For the Classic teams it was straight into the terrain with a rogaine-style run leg to collect 60pts of CPs worth 3, 5 or 7 points. The scattered location of the CPs was designed to split to the teams up and it sure worked with yellow bibs seen heading in all directions. It was GHD first out of the bush and onto the bikes with a 4 minute lead over Goldfinger.

Next up was some fast fire trail before a short blast along some beautifully manicured single track. GHD stretched their lead to 6 minutes as VO3Max closed in on second. In the female category, Hygenic Lilies had cracker second leg to turn a 13 minute deficit to The Smiling Assassins into a 6 minute lead by the time they hopped of the bike.

The third leg was another orienteering leg with V03Max slipping up to lose the gained time on Goldfinger while the theme continued with GHD taking another 5 minutes out of the field on this leg. Castlebell and R.C. Bar Studs had been developing a strong battle over the opening stages of the race but it was on this leg that Castlebell managed to open a 3 minute lead to head towards a victory in the mixed category.

The fourth leg saw teams head for Dora Creek and the kayaks. First thought, they had to contend with a touch more singletrack and some deceptively straight forward navigation on the bike. Although it isn’t their forte, the alds from GHD had enough time in the bank to lose a few minutes in the boats and get across the line first, qualifying for the bonus leg. Next home was Goldfinger, 13 minutes down and 6 minutes in front of V03Max. R.C. Bar Studs were trying their best to run down Castlebell and managed to scrap through to qualify for the bonus leg as only the second mixed to do so.

The bonus leg did little to shake up the final overall placings with GHD, Goldfinger and V03Max maintaining their overall podium positions, No roads were fourth and the third male team. Castlebell held off the late challenge from R.C. Bar Studs to win the mixed category and Mixed Resultz took third. The Smiling Assassins powered through the kayak leg in an attempt to run down the 8 minute deficit to Hygenic Lillies but fell agonisingly short as just five seconds separated them from the top step of the podium.

The Novice Course produced the youngest ever overall winner of a Paddy Pallin AR as Annika Mounstephens, just 10yrs old, lead her parents. With mum, Katrin Van Der Spiegel, a two-time 24hr World Solo runner-up and dad, Richard Mountstephens, a former Aust. Orienteering Rep and accomplished AR veteran, those middle-aged men she left in her wake can at least take solace in the fact she has some serious pedigree. They were just ahead of the all-male Wombat Warriors who were the next team home, just over a minute down with AROC regulars HOTSOX third overall and top mixed team. Hunter Water Cruisers won the battle of the businesses in the corporate category and Alicat were the top female racers.

As with any successful event AROC Sport have many people to thank that helped make the race a success! The crew of staff and volunteers including – Timmy (who, with Tom, spent 13hrs grooming that sweet single track!), Chris, Ian, Sally-Anne, Brett, Mark, Daniel, Robbie and the amazing Dawson Family.

After some last minute issues with land access we are incredibly grateful to the follow people and the bodies they represent – Nicole from Lake Macquarie City Council, Greg from NSW Maritime, Debbie and Vicki from NPWS, Jeff from Centennial Coal, Sam from LPMA, Geoff T and Dennis from Newcastle Orienteers, Steve from the Dora Creek Oval Committee and Don from the Dora Creek Community Hall.

Our wonderful sponsors who continue to support the series and provide plenty of prizes to spread the love around - Paddy Pallin, Fitness First, icebreaker, World Expeditions, Salomon, Sea to Summit, Suunto, Skins, UltraFit Magazine, Australian Geographic Outdoor Magazine, GU, Club 02 and AddVenture Training