Questars Trio Race - Brecon Beacons
A Brecon Beacon Quest
David Hunt (Questars) / 09.06.2010
It was a typical Bank Holiday weekend weather forecast as teams approached Brecon from far and wide to take part in the second Questars one day event of the 2010 adventure race series. The steady drizzle though did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants as they foregathered in a spacious sports hall for the pre event Race Briefing.There was also an element of surprise as teams eagerly reviewed the event map discovering that it extended onto two sides and covered a huge swathe of the best areas of the majestic Brecon Beacons. Which would be the dummy checkpoints only to be revealed at the Start? Would it be worth making the big loop south on mountain bikes and would we have enough time to make it?
Some of these questions were answered as teams set forth, as the rain eased, from under the big yellow start arch, on their personal challenge. Each team created their own course by linking together as many of the optional checkpoints they wished in either the 6 hours for Masters or 5 hours for Novices and Questars Duo teams. In order to get the most out of the terrific terrain their were more checkpoints to go for than ever before with only two of the pre marked red mountain bike checkpoints being dummy ones and a similar number of the blue trail run ones not existing.
All six of the green kayaking checkpoints existed. But here was another challenge and strategic choice. Whether to go for all six and risk picking up a penalty for being late off the water? It was a tough call. Four teams did go for all 6 checkpoints placed out on the north bank of the tranquil Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. They were enticed by the 45 points earned from visiting the furthest one near the lock. As it turned out all these teams just missed the cut off and picked up a 50 point penalty.
Most other teams were content to go for fewer kayaking checkpoints and enjoyed their paddling on the very stable sit on top kayaks. The water level in the canal had dropped considerably during the prolonged dry spell running up to the event. This made for quite a steep climb down the canal bank at the transition point. The rain returned at periods throughout the day interspersed with sunny intervals. This created enough mud for some competitors to use it as face paint!
Low clouds did on occasion obscure the best views, during the running phase of the event, of the Brecon Brecons that dominate the southern skyline from Brecon. With trail run checkpoints strewn liberally across both sides of the canal and River Usk another key question was posed. Where to cross these water obstacles?
Most chose to do so at a very scenic spot where the canal is carried on an aqueduct across the River Usk. With checkpoint number 9 also located there it was a natural choice for the event photographer Rob Howard to capture images of most teams in action. He didn’t expect one participant to cut out the dog leg around the southern loop of the aqueduct by swimming across the canal to visit the checkpoint!See All Event Posts
