Rock and Ice Ultra

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Struggles Under the Northern Lights

Rob Howard / 18.03.2007

The first night of competition in the Rock and Ice Ultra was a long one, for competitors, marshals and safety staff. With a high attrition rate during the day (66% in total), many competitors out through the night and two different finishes, it was always going to be a tough night. And it was made tougher by temperatures as much as 15C lower than expected at this time of year, and the attendant risks to racers.

While the elite finishers in the ultra endurance classes settled into their warm tents at Prelude East Stage Camp, slower racers were still out on the soft snow on Prelude Lake, struggling to reach camp. Some never made it and had to withdraw, though injury, cold, exhaustion, or more commonly a combination of them all.

Taiwanese runner Kevin Lin stopped at 40k. Lin had only completed his epic 111 day run across the Sahara less than a month ago and knew he was not recovered, but wanted to run to support the race, and Chase was stopped by race staff, acknowledging he was too cold to continue. “I was just too cold to get my snowshoes on,� he said. “My hands were too cold to do anything and I couldn’t stop shivering. I don’t think I have the build for this weather!� Race Director Scott Smith concurred; “There is not an ounce of body fat on him!� He said.

Smith felt the minor frost bit injuries were mainly down to inadequate or the wrong choice of equipment and wasn’t surprised at the high withdrawal rate. He paid tribute to his safety staff, who had run snowmobile patrols and manned radios and CP’s through the intense cold of the night. “All those who stopped were quickly given assistance,� Smith said, “and they though we had 66% pull out they were 100% safe. No team could have done a better job to look after them.�
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