Endurancelife Classic

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The endurancelife Classic 2 – South Devon

Barry Matthews / 31.05.2004

The second race in endurancelife’s multi-sport endurance racing series took place on Saturday May 29th in Kingsbridge South Devon and was declared a great success by all who took part.

The tri format of sit-on-top kayak, trail run and mountain bike set over very demanding, yet spectacular courses is proving to be a real hit with adventure racers, triathletes and first timers looking for their next challenge. The courses are sign posted and marshalled as in traditional triathlons, but the emphasis is on off road disciplines with distances and course set to offer a serious endurance challenge.

The race attracted a real cross section of competitors, with many first timers taking up the challenge, as well as more experienced athletes and members of the armed forces looking for a serious training event.

There were 4 race categories, with a relay option for teams of 3 and a team option for teams of 3 completing all 3 legs together, as well as an open section for those racing in their own kayaks.

Most competitors camped at race HQ in Kingsbridge South Devon. The Kingsbridge Rugby Club proved to be an excellent race HQ with showers and changing facilities, kitchen and bar as well as flat fields for camping.

Endurancelife offered a hearty meal for those arriving on the rainy Friday night to camp as well as a breakfast on race day – The home made banana muffins proved very popular as did the bacon rolls !

The race started at 12:30 pm, this gave competitors the option of an extra hour or two in bed and more importantly fitted in with the tides for the 4.5 mile kayak leg. After a full race briefing and safety presentation by the race organisers on Saturday morning, competitors were prepared and ready to go. The rain had cleared and the sun was shining brightly for the start of the race, despite 6 hydration stages around the 36.5 mile course competitors were strongly urged to run and ride with hydration systems as keeping well hydrated was essential on such a hot day in such an extreme event.

The air horn signalled the start of the race and the competitors ran the first ¼ mile to the start of the kayak leg at the head of the Kingsbridge to Salcombe estuary. The racers selected life jackets and paddles and then jumped on to the kayaks and were helped into the water by the many Marshalls on hand to assist.See All Event Posts