Dynamic Adventure Racing Plus
Jelly Legs and Beer Barrels
Jonathan Mayne (DAR) / 22.07.2004
The competitors, fully briefed decided which option to choose first – to mountain bike or to run. The more experienced of the racers realised that it would be quicker to clear the bike course rather than the run and opted to bike first, whilst others went for doing their weakest discipline first so that they could have a strong finish. Team 10, feeling fresh from their 2nd place in the recent 1 day ACE race, were keen to put in a good performance and challenge the Dark Horses for the series prize of £500.
As the competitors headed off into the hills and forests surrounding Peaslake for 8 hours of non stop racing, a sense of quiet descended on the village hall. The first competitor home was Martin O’Sullivan, who cleared the bike course in 3 hours 20 minutes; a speedy transition ensured that he had a full 4 and half hours to complete the more challenging run section.
Shortly after him, two Dynamic Adventure Racing regulars, Paul Bowers and Alan Chitty come home, again clearing the bike course as did another regular John Worth, who was followed home by Gavin Jessup. Sacha and Toby Fisher, regular winners at Dynamic Adventure and Questars events also cleared the course – the Race Director couldn’t help but ask himself if he’d made the mountain bike section too easy or if the competitors were just getting fitter (BEWARE – the next race will be much tougher and you’ve only got yourselves to blame!).
Team 10 made excellent progress and came home from the run on the 4 hour mark having completed 15 of the potential 18 checkpoints. Several other competitors scored highly in the run category, notably Duncan Arnold with 14 checkpoints, Robin Hodkinson with 13 checkpoints and the Atlas Brewery with 13 checkpoints – it is worth noting that Team Atlas Brewery would love a barrel of beer from their sponsor for the efforts they are putting in on their behalf – as would the other competitors and race marshals!
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