Enduro Classic Challenge
Barry Matthews (endurancelife) / 17.08.2005
Over one hundred multi-sport athletes took part in the endurancelife Classic Enduro Challenge in Kingsbridge, South Devon. The penultimate event in endurancelife\'s 2005 calendar.Each competitor had to kayak 4 miles along the Kingsbridge Salcombe estuary on sit-on-top kayaks provided by endurancelife. Run 9 miles on and off-road from Kingsbridge to Salcombe and back and finally mountain bike 16 miles around the undulating South Hams countryside, before completing the final hill to Kingsbridge Rugby Club and the finish line.
The course was very challenging, with very steep ascents and descents on the run and bike sections and very slippery conditions under foot and tyre. Many competitors were caught out with tyre selection as the heavens opened mid-way through the challenge, making for wet and muddy bike tracks.
The event was very well supported with many people gathering along the course and at Challenge HQ to offer encouragement and support to the weary competitors. The participants commented on the friendly atmosphere and support of everyone they had met in the South Devon area at the weekend.
The torrential rain, failed to dampen the spirits of the participants who maintained surprisingly high spirits and good humour along the challenging course. Athletes and supporters enjoyed a BBQ and drinks after the event and many joined endurancelife for drinks and dinner in the local town in the evening.
The competition was fierce with experienced athletes competing against first timers, keen to make their mark. The winner of the event was Nick Evans in a time of 3hrs, 40 minutes and 30 seconds. Second was Charles Richards in 3:44:10. These two competitors had swapped the lead throughout each of the 3 disciplines, but Nick proved stronger on the final lap of the cycling course and overtook Charles 10 minutes from the end. Third was Ben Reynolds in 4:03:05. The winning lady was Rachel Hardwick in 4:48:02, closely followed by local athlete Liz Wotton in 4:51:58.
Endurancelife\'s next challenge is the Coast to Coast - A 120 mile 2 day multi-sport event across Devon from Foreland Point in the north to Prawle Point. The event, takes place on September 24th and 25th and is open to solo participants or teams of 2. Information and on-line booking is on www.endurancelife.com.
Barry Matthews and Gary Jolliffe who run endurancelife are taking on their own endurance challenge in October. They are planning to set a new record by cycling from John O\'Groats to Lands End, via the 3 highest peaks and the 3 largest lakes in Britain, which they will run up and down and cycle across. This extreme challenge takes place on October 15th and is in aid of St Luke\'s Hospice. For more information or to sponsor the team please see www.ultimatec2c.endurancelife.com .
