A XXX of a Winter Challenge

Rob / 06.12.2004

Details of the ACE Races XXX, to be held over the weekend of February 5/6th are now available, and the venue will the Lake District. There is no guarantee of a repeat of the Lakeland snow storms that made last year’s XX race such a winter spectacular, but it could happen again … and there is a snow shovel on the kit list, just in case!

Once again the race is 30 hours long, which is where the XXX in the name comes from, and it will be non-stop with support crews of 2. (They are the ones who have to carry the shovel.) Teams will only find out details of one stage at a time, but there will be optional stages, so slower teams can take short cuts. Teams can choose to rest at a transitions as well, but though they may have stopped the race clock will keep ticking!

The disciplines will included trail running, mountain biking, canoeing, navigation and rope activities. This might mean abseiling, traversing or ascending, but there will be qualified staff on hand. Total Adventure, who set up an amazing zip line last year, are organising the ropes stage once again and they have some spectacular and very different surprises in store this time around.

With the climbing gear required, the kit list is longer than usual, but harnesses, helmets, jumars and anything else required will be available for hire or purchase prior to the race. This time there is a wet suit on the kit list as well.

In the usual ACE Races style, the exact venue won’t be revealed until 10 days prior to the event. There are 40 places for teams of 4, and as it’s the first big race of the season, and a rare chance to race in winter, early entry is advisable. All the details are on the ACE Races website.