Team adidas TERREX Prunesco 5 wins in 5 years and the end of an Era?
Nick Gracie (Team adidas TERREX - Prunesco) / 22.02.2013
Team adidas TERREX Prunesco recently made it 5 wins in a row of one of the world’s toughest adventure races. The British based team have been battling challenging race courses, competitive and experienced teams and the wild Patagonia weather to achieve the 5 wins at the Patagonia Expedition Race.
The race is the longest running expedition race in the world with 2013 marking the 11th edition. The 2013 race was the longest with the team taking over 8 days of non-stop racing to reach the finish line in Punta Arenas and complete an epic 701 KM journey around Southern Chilean Patagonia.
Winning such a race once or twice is a challenge but to dominate it for 5 years in a row shows serious commitment and physical and mental strength of a unique group of British endurance atheltes. Over the period, Mark Humphery has 4 wins, Nick Gracie and Bruce Duncan 3 wins each and Nicola Macleod and Andy Wilson 2 wins each. Fellow Brits Chris Near, Sally Ozanne and Fi Wilson made up the rest of the team in 2011 and 2013.
In 2012 a more international team captain by Nick Gracie included kiwi adventure racing legends Stuart Lynch and Sarah Fairmaid as well as Barcelona fireman Albert Roca. Every year the team has concentrated on all elements of the race, specific focused conditioning training and meticulous kit and logistics planning. Every year the sacrifices and hard work have paid off and now we have completed the 5 wins an era and chapter has come to an end – but never say never in adventure racing!
Chilean Patagonia shares that wonderful frontier, wilderness atmosphere with other amazing adventure racing locations around the world, west coast of the south island of New Zealand, Newfoundland in Canada, Tasmania and the highlands and islands of Western Scotland. One thing all members of the team have taken away from the race is the pure splendour, scale and stunning raw rugged beauty of Chilean Patagonia.
Every where you go you are greeted by huge heartfelt smiles from a very proud people who welcome you with open arms. Local Stjepan Pavicic, the race’s founder and race director has demonstrated incredible passion and pride for this wonderful part of the world and on a very limited budget and often a labour of love he has delivered and incredible experience for all adventure racers and the outside world looking in. From all the 11 athletes from team adidas TERREX Prunesco we thank you Chilean Patagonia for an amazing life changing experience.
Nick Gracie, 2012 & 2013 Team Captain