Haglofs Open5 Adventure Race

Haglöfs Open5: "Finding Hidden Gems" at Cannock Chase

News Release (Open Adventure) / 04.03.2014

It wasn't the mudfest of last month.... but Race Director James Thurlow almost got his wish of more challenging conditions. However, the rain held off until hometime, and racers managed to find mud splashes but lots of smiles too.

This was the penultimate event in the Haglöfs-sponsored Open Adventure Winter Series, and it provided the usual feast for eyes & hearts - emotionally as well as cardiovascularly. Cannock Chase served up well-drained trails, challenging ascents & fast descents, and views across what planner Jim Rounsley calls "the surprising hidden gem in the West Midlands" along with the typically challenging navigation that is multi-trailed forest in the UK.

There was a part return to racing for elite racer Sally Ozanne, following a damaging commuting accident on the bike. She was non-competitive, but completed part of the bike & run courses on foot, despite bones still being held together by metalwork, and still managed to place between 8th & 9th. The smile remained in place as ever, and new-comers appreciated Sally sharing her experience and tips before the start.

Team Mountain Hardwear athlete Ant Emmett made an impact, although not on the podium places this time. Part of what is known informally as the "Kendal Posse", it was his turn to wear some distinctive pink tights which belong to a friend fighting breast cancer. She may not be able to race at the moment, but her tights are, and are doing the rounds of this group of friends as the series progresses.

With a strong pedigree in Orienteering, Helena Burrows (60+) was paired with daughter Heather, who is currently leading the series table in the female solo category. After the event she acknowledged she had enjoyed her first adventure race, but found the cycling quite a challenge - especially the hills. She tells us she had to walk up most of them... although with second place there must have been some serious speed going on.

Helena demonstrates what we already know - and is so visible when you look at the results tables - that age is no barrier to entering, nor to excelling in adventure racing.

Generous prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each category were provided by Haglöfs, as well as a Haglöfs Gram jacket in the prize draw for all competitors, and a further draw for newcomers to the race, winning beanies.

The next event, and the final event of the season, is at Coniston, on Sunday 6th April. Based around Open Adventure's home territory, and with regular planner & local lad Ant Cooper at the helm, the finale will doubtless be grand.

Results:

Female Pairs
1st Rosemary Byde/Sophie Moore 471
2nd Helena Burrows/Heather Burrows 385
3rd Lisa Whetter/Sue Woods 375

Female Solo
1st Jenny Allen 405
2nd Outi Kamarainen 362
3rd Carys Holloway 342

Male Pairs
1st Gary Davies/Ben Turner 505
2nd Andrew Hellowell/Paul Hill 490
3rd Alistair Powell/Ian Stamp 450

Male Solos
1st Jonathan Emberton 590
2nd Campbell Walsh 585
3rd Warren Mason 575

Mixed Pairs
1st Barbara Lonsdale/Andy Wilson 511
2nd Ian Furlong/Renee Saxton 494
3rd Jen Gaskell/Jeff Powell Davies 420

See Race Photographs on facebook.com/openadventure.
More information on www.openadventure.com
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