AROC Sport Adventures

Lake Parramatta Reserve - 16 October 2004

The AROC Sport Adventures kicked off for the summer season on 16 October in Parramatta Sydney. Forty four teams of 3persons tested their friendship and discovered one of Sydney's last urban oasis on mountain bike, kayak and foot through the bush and on the streets all the while navigating by compass along their way to numerous check points.

This adventure format is challenging for the seasoned competitor and weekend warrior alike, as the challenges remain the same while navigational errors become more costly in the condensed format.

With perfect conditions the race started with a short kayak leg on Lake Parramatta, quickly transitioning to a run leg back to the main transition area to pick up the bikes for a fast and furious mountain bike leg.

With 10 legs and 36 check points to pick up the pace was scorching from whistle to finish, the hottest team on the day was the NSW Stingers who took an early lead and never looked back, finishing in just under 3 hours. Despite winning comfortably it wasn't an entirely error free race for them as they experienced a few navigational hiccups. Veterans of the Australian Adventure racing scene, Team Millie took the honours in the mixed team class while Team Lemon and Honey Tea came first in the female category and a very respectable 8th overall.

Regardless of their results or experience, all teams came across the line jubilant to have raced and to have found the finish in what was for some their first ever adventure race.

"Just wanted to thank you very much for last Saturday. We had an absolutely awesome time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!! It was a first time for all of us and I’d have to say it’s the most fun thing I’ve done in a very, very long time.."

Jacqueline Liddell
Team Spirit