SAC Heads to the Highlands

FAR News Release / 27.05.2005

After a 100 team sell-out race at Bon Echo Provincial Park on May 7th, Frontier Adventure Racing (FAR) has now turned attention toward staging the popular Salomon AC Long Course event on June 11th. The 2005 edition is taking place in Ontario’s Kawartha Highlands region for the third year in a row. After Buckhorn in 2003, Bobcaygeon in 2004, the Long Course event moves farther east in 2005 to the familiar site of Marmora.

“Marmora is a quaint community set against an incredible backdrop for a Salomon Adventure Challenge event. We staged an 8-hour Series race here in April of 2004 and found so much suitable terrain – there are probably 4 or 5 completely different racecourse options here so we’re excited to return” says Geoff Langford, President of FAR Inc. about the host site choice.

Teams remembering the 2004 Marmora Salomon AC will recount an opening trekking section that offered a wide selection of route options. “There’s more where that came from” says Langford, “The Long Course format allows us to bring out even more of the same so that we showcase trekking, paddling, and mountain biking routes that convey the unique flavor of a FAR Inc. race.”

The Salomon AC Long Course format was an experiment race during the 2003 season. In keeping with the ‘Where Adventure Begins’ mantra of the Series, this race was designed to offer AR rookies and veterans alike an extended Salomon AC experience that touched on some of the more traditional elements of a event like Raid the North.

“Racing in darkness for a few hours, more strategy to formulate, and a slightly longer time in the wilderness adds some components of the Raid the North experience within the Salomon AC format. This event caters to all levels of racers but offers a taste of some of the elements in traditional adventure racing”, explains Langford. With a 71-team turn-out at the first event in 2003, this format has proven to be a hit.

“We’re out for revenge this year!” explains Leanne Mueller who has joined with Nicola Cameron and Liza Pye to form Team Adidas Divas, competing in the SalomonWomenWill.com All-Women category. “I made a few navigation decisions last year that I’d like to have back. That’s what it’s all about I guess and why I can’t wait to get to the start line.”

Race information can be found at www.far.on.ca.