---

Team Accelerate to Race in Europe

Press Release / 07.04.2009

The 2008 Portugal XPD adventure race saw Team Accelerate Adventure Racing competing for the first time in Europe and over 5 days, non stop. The competing athletes for Accelerate were Caroline Bullard, Kev Honeysett, Alasdair Bruce and Adam Marcinowicz and notably they were the only Team in the top 10 not to have won an AR series event of some sort in the past.

In 2009 the World AR Series Final moves to the Portugal event and takes place in November with Team Accelerate having been invited back to compete. Team Captain, Kev Honeysett, did not hesitate in accepting the invitation to race in Portugal again. “It was a well organised event and tested navigation and to a greater extent the logistic skill of the Team, probably something that suited us”. With the Team finishing in 8th place at their first attempt over such distances it was fairly clear that others within the Accelerate line-up were prepared to step up and race the longer distances.

Terra Incognita ...

In doing so it was also agreed that bringing another Europe-experienced athlete into the squad was not such a bad idea. Up stepped John Cunningham, who’s racing experience speaks for itself and his ideas are already contributing to the Team going forward into Europe.
As a result Team Accelerate have announced their intention and have entered Terra Incognita this coming September. John Cunningham, Julia Baron, Mat Davis and David Spence have been named as the four to compete in Croatia.

Following the Terra Incognita Adventure Race a final Team selection will be made for Portugal and the World Championships. Team Training is already underway and more weekends are planned in the Lake District later in the year.

Domestically Team Accelerate are still finalising their event strategy for 2009 in light of the above commitments, although the New Balance Endurance Series and Open Adventure Coast to Coast are looking popular.

The Three Peaks Yacht Race

Also, on home turf Caroline Bullard will be joined by Janet McIver for the Powerbar 3 Peaks Yacht Race. The boat and crew have now been confirmed although no announcement has yet been made. In the past Team Accelerate have been involved with Skipper Greg Marsh (Vlad the Impaler) and have between them recorded two wins and a second place. With Greg not yet appearing on any crew list speculation is rife as to whether he and Team Accelerate have again joined forces.

Either way it will be interesting to see these two quick and experienced distance ladies attacking the three peaks and show many a runner a clean pair of heels. Janet (2007 UK Fell Champion & 2008 Lakeland Classics Winner) will, with her running quality and pedigree, be named as part of the Accelerate squad for the 2009 season.

For More Information on Team Accelerate see www.teamaccelerate.co.uk

Team Accelerate would like to publicly thank all their Team Partners: OMM, Make Innovation Happen, Mountain Hardwear, High5 Sports Nutrition, Skins, Accelerate and New Balance.