The New Recruits

Stuart Hale / 10.11.2010

Team Accelerate has announced in the last month four new recruits to the squad. With a blend of youth and experience, the Team is looking to continue its development policy of bringing athletes through the squad to race at the highest possible level and to compete with the best.

Following on from the Terrex Nick Harper has come on board after joining the Team for this inaugural event. Nick has plenty of multi sport experience and living near the hills of the Peak District has a good understanding of the demands of an outdoor athlete. Nick brings a high level of climbing experience, knows his way around a kayak and can ride and run all day long.

At the other end of the experience scale, youngster Matt Halliday signed in September, joining his sister Jo and brother Dan. Matt becomes the youngest member of the Team and takes over the mantle of Team Tea Boy - well someone has to do it! Matt is currently a GB Orienter and will be making his début later in the season at the Open 5's. A common question we are asked is, 'How fast is Matt, compared to Dan then?'.

Well we can tell you - he's faster!! Matt has also competed in Triathlon and is also able to Kayak, ride and see over tall walls and hedgerows.

Stuart Walker may be shorter than Matt, but he joins the Team with much experience of endurance challenges. For one he holds the record for running across Hadrian's Wall unsupported. In addition he choose to run, ride, swim and kayak the length of Britain, on consecutive days. More recently he finished 10th in the Lakeland 100 and has proved to his new Team mates that he can also run like a mountain hair.

The latest recruit has more experience with Adventure Racing having completed this years Terrex adventure race, finishing with her team in 8th place. Lucy Harris has also competed for GB in MTBO and Orienteering. As an U23 she has also raced well over the fells finishing British Champion in 2008 and jointly in 2010.

The Team will again be involved this winter in the Open 5 series, although this will not be seen as a priority. The Team will again meet as a whole this coming November with the full squad being announced before then. Team Accelerate will be racing Abu Dhabi this coming December, is planning WARS Explore Sweden, the C2C and then WARC Tasmania.

Team Website: www.teamaccelerate.co.uk