Big Fun in Baja

Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren (Team SOLE ) / 05.04.2005

Baja California, Mexico -it\'s the best kept secret in adventure racing. Just one and a half hours from San Diego lies the uninhabited and beautiful landscape of Baja California where Antonio Rosquillas has made the Baja Xtreme a family affair. Antonio is the Race Director for the Baja Xtreme series held in various locations throughout Baja California. His wife, sister, and daughters are among a huge family contingent that helps to pull off these challenging and fun events.

On this day, fifteen teams lined up at the start line under blue skies and giant oak trees to begin the anticipated 6-8 hour course. In an attempt to assist the novice teams with navigation, the course route was semi-marked. The first bike leg began on fire roads but quickly turned to single track, a quick hike-a-bike and some very technical downhill riding. Midway through the bike leg, riders were handed a map for a short orienteering course, that challenged the orienteering skills of all the racers.

The 28 km mountain bike loop ended back at the start where racers grabbed their rappeling gear and switched to the trekking leg of the event. The 13 km trek covered some incredible single track, bushwhacking and creek hopping before the grand finale rappel down the mouth of a 100 ft waterfall.

Then a canyon run and a 5km bike landed racers at the finish. The racers raved about the course, it was challenging for all levels of racers and the semi marked course helped every single novice team make it to the finish line. Baja Xtreme is making a real effort to expand the skills of AR racers in Baja and the surrounding Southern CA area. Watch for these events to stay hot on the scene

[Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren of Team SOLE raced the event in the pro solo category coming across the finish line together in just under five hours.]

Winners of the Baja Xtreme

Solo Male
1. Julio Camoch
2. Barrie Adsett
3. Joel Palafox

Solo Female
1. Kristine Gillis

Coed 1
1. Refrigeración Nava de Ensenada
2 Powerade de Tijuana
3. Remy\'s Team deMexicali

All Male
1. Lowrance de Ensenada
2. Mind and Body H1 Tijuana
3. Mind and Body Jaguarex Tijuana

For more information on the event and upcoming Baja Xtreme events go to www.bajaxtreme.com.