Dynamic Adventure Racing

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New Forest Bog Hoppers

Jonathan Mayne / 19.03.2006

7.30 am Sunday morning, the snow had fallen overnight, creating a New Forest winter wonderland. I was dressed in nothing but my running shorts and a Helly Hansen. As I ventured through the forest’s notorious bogs checking controls, I firmly planted my right foot onto some heather, only to find myself, a split second later, up to my armpits in a freezing cold stream. It would have been hysterically funny had there been anyone watching, but at that time of the morning only a few sleepy ponies witnessed the sight. A wry smile did come across my face however; as I thought of the 100 or more competitors who could well choose the same route later in the day!

By 9.30 the hall was bustling with eager competitors marking up their maps and planning their routes. As with all our Sunday races, over 50% of the racers were first timers; adventure racing virgins, meaning that Simon, Nicky and Jonathan were dishing out the advice as fast as Flossie’s bacon butties where flying out the kitchen.

At the race briefing competitors were warned not to underestimate the treacherous bog that had claimed the sense of humour of both experienced and inexperienced racers in the past. Before long there was the tense queue of competitors moving through kit check, clearing their dibbers and waiting to start. Several route options were available, the potentially shorter route, heading north out of the village hall meant returning cross country through challenging terrain, whilst the longer southern route was kinder underfoot with simpler navigation. See All Event Posts