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In Slow Motion

Rob / 29.05.2003

By this stage of the race the teams are moving very slowly and almost every stage is taking longer than expected. Their pace is slowed by fatigue and sleep deprivation, or they may be stopping to sleep for several hours during a stage. But it’s not just the competitors who are moving slowly and being affected by a lack of sleep.

Last night at race HQ as race staff, retired racers and media waited for the first 3 teams to arrive there were people sleeping everywhere, in cars, tents and on the floor of HQ. They were grabbing a few hours rest between the teams coming in, and before heading back out onto the course for another day.

Some of the marshals have been on PC’s for almost 48 hours and with teams now at their most scattered there is no relaxation of duties just because the leaders have reached the finish. Teams could be on the course for over 2 more days as the course won’t close until 18.00 on Saturday and even the back markers, who are now finishing the crossing of The Five Sisters of Kintail, are moving within the cut-off times which are applied around the course.

They need to reach PC27 by 18.00 tonight to be allowed to continue. Some teams are also being allowed to go back onto the course after retiring, though they are not back in the race, they just want to experience as much of the course as they can while they are here. At present Strike Anywhere are paddling up Loch Ness after setting off again from PC27 at 4.00am yesterday morning.

With 16 teams still on the course the retirement rate remains low and everyone is hoping they will make it back to Inverness before Saturday evening. We’ll continue to bring you news and reports right through until the course closes.See All Event Posts