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Winter Weekend Warriors

Rob / 06.10.2003

Don’t put your kit away for the winter after the 4th ACE Race of the season, there are more to come, and you’ll need even more kit for them, especially warm clothes and batteries. The North Face Winter XX Series is about to extend British AR into the winter, without making any compromises for the weather, or the fact most of the race will take place in the dark!

This new series has 2 events, on 6-7 December 2003 in Wales and 7-8 February 2004 somewhere in Northern England. They will be supported races for mixed teams of 4 only (no solos, or pairs this time), but all male teams will be allowed to race unranked, as will teams of 3 should someone have to drop out. “The main reason for sticking with teams only is safety,” said race organiser Phil Humphreys, “given the long hours of darkness and the possibility of very cold and damp weather. These will not be races for the faint hearted, they’ll be gruelling events on an A to B course, racing non-stop over 20 hours, though slower teams will be able to take short-cuts built into the course.”

He was responding to a demand from racers for a 20 to 24 hour race, and to continue racing in the winter. There will be some other variations on the normal ACE Race theme too. “The first course is planned and is very exciting,” Humphreys said, “there is a ropes stage which will be a serious adrenalin buzz and for the canoeing stage teams should not expect to use inflatables.”

“I think the weather could be the biggest challenge, to keep restarting each new stage if it’s very wet and cold will be hard. The long hours of darkness will add to this and teams and support crews will need to be very organised. The support will be vital and it will be a tough job too, they won’t get much rest as it’s a continuous race. For safety the kit list now makes a GPS and group shelter compulsory for each team.”

Titles sponsors The North Face were instrumental in developing the winter racing idea as part of promotion of winter performance wear which includes bouldering, ski and snowboard events. “We thought it would be interesting to give racers the opportunity to compete in the dark in dubious weather,” said Keith Byrne of TNF. “We’d like people to test themselves in winter conditions – naturally in TNF kit which is suitable for all winter outdoor activities!!”

He added: “The start time on Saturday will allow teams to travel that day and avoid the late Friday rush, and they should be finished early enough on Sunday to socialise at the finish and get home without being too late.”

So don’t ease off on the training in November, get some glow sticks and climbing gear, and get ready for winter racing ACE Races style.

[All the details are on the ACE Races web site – just use the link in our partners box.]