Trailplus Adventure Race

Blue Notes on song at Sandhurst

Rob / 07.05.2002

In perfect, sunny conditions competitors in the first Trailplus race of the year were heading downhill to CP3 without too many worries. The trails through the woods and heathlands adjoining the Royal Military College at Sandhurst were in good condition and apart from watching out for the tape marking the course the run had been quite straightforward – but that was about to change!

Jumping across a small brook they approached the checkpoint and were directed between more tape into the smelly mire of a thigh deep bog. Those white Sprayway race bibs and shiny trainers would now look like they belonged in an adventure race. It was only 20m, but the bog was thick and hard to wade through, and it stank! It was hard to get out of as well, and the few competitors who were pulled out by a helping hand were lucky.

Surprisingly, few waited for lagging team mates, but as the majority in this race were new to adventure racing (and perhaps to team races) maybe that was to be expected. A few teams were also approaching from completely the wrong direction after losing their way. The course was marked with tape at turnings, but these were easy to miss in the heat of competition and other lessons learned were not to follow others (as they might be lost) and that if the organisers give you a map it’s best to take it with you! (Even if it is a marked course.)

The day began on the wide open lawns among the grand buildings of Sandhurst, with the registration tent set up by a small lake, and the already inflated, bright yellow Sevylor canoes lined up on the shore. Apart from the military police threatening to blow up cars parked in the wrong place it was a perfect setting for a fast, one-day race geared for beginners. Former elite marathon runner and fell running champion Keith Anderson was the Race Director and he expected the course he’d set to provide 4 to 6 hours of ‘fun’.

“We want to provide an accessible format, an inspirational setting and a unique personality to our adventure races.� He said. “The emphasis is on the experience and having fun whilst still providing enough competitive challenges to keep everyone happy!�