Adrenalin Rush Cancelled

Rob / 29.04.2004

Brian Elliot of Adventure Sports One has announced the cancellation of Adrenalin Rush, which was due to start on May 23rd.

In a letter to competitors he explained: “I have been trying frantically to prevent this for the past 3 weeks but have been left with no choice. The insurance company who have provided me with public liability cover for the past 5 years have changed the policy so much that I cannot effectively now organise the race.”

He continued; “Despite the fact that I have never had any claims made against me, my premiums have increased by 500% over the past 4 years and at the same time my cover has gradually been reduced, to a point where I can no longer organise an event with the content needed for an expedition style adventure race.

The two main issues appear to have been a reduction in Public Liability cover, which public land owning agencies require, and a tightening of the insurance conditions, primarily affecting the canoeing stages. Under the new cover offered the race would have been restricted to craft under 3m, and would not have been able use it’s own Necky kayaks. Horse riding was taken out of the race a couple of years ago, also due to insurance restrictions, and Elliot said, “I’m not going to run a long distance duathlon.”

For Elliot, his staff and teams from around the world who were preparing to race, it’s a bitter blow. Since the first race in 2000, held from Elliot’s home town of Banbridge in N. Ireland, Adrenalin Rush has been the most affordable multi-day, unsupported race on the international calendar. It attracted top teams from all over the world and for many racers from the UK was a long term ambition. Those who entered this year will get full refunds, but will never achieve their dream to race ‘The Rush’.

The inability to secure insurance cover effectively means Adventure Sports One can no longer continue to operate races, and this will also have implications for both the British and Irish Championships, thought they will continue in a revised format. The most immediate impact though is the loss of Adrenalin Rush – a great race which will be sadly missed.