Dynamic Adventure Racing Plus
Points Mean Prizes
Jonathan Mayne (Dynamic Adventure Racing) / 21.11.2004
The picture postcard setting of Lockeridge was the race HQ and as dawn broke over the frosted hills, it was clear conditions were perfect, if not a little chilly, for the final dynamic adventure race of the year. A first look at the map showed the infamous West Woods, frequently used for night orienteering, to the south of the village and the vast expanse of the Marlborough Downs to the North. The large amounts of red on the map showed that the course wound it’s way up and down the large network of footpaths, bridleways and rights of way of the rather posh Wiltshire countryside.
The course had been designed so that the quicker competitors would clear the course, with an estimated three and a half hour run and four hour bike. Sunset was due at 16.45, giving competitors a maximum of two and quarter hours of night navigation either on bike or foot. Competitors were warned that there could be plenty of navigation relocation opportunities for those venturing into woods after dark! Something Dave Hooper of Sleepmonsters later found out!
There was an even balance of competitors choosing to bike or run first. Both teams in the race for the cash opted to run, meaning that they would have to navigate the downs at night on their bikes. As the competitors headed off into the hills the Dynamic team did what they do best - settled down to a healthy bacon butty and cuppa tea from Flossie’s famous kitchen whilst the competitors sweated their way around the course.
The team 10 came home first from the run having collected 17 of the 18 checkpoints. They’d failed to spot checkpoint 24 at the bottom of the map and had run 2 kms north of it. By the time they’d realised their mistake, it was too late and they headed back home, knowing that potentially this could cost them 500 pints at a Students Union happy hour! It was no surprise to see Alan Goldsmith first back from his bike, racing as a solo, Alan has never been beaten in any category at any of Dynamic’s events over the year. He cleared the bike course in just over 4 hours and headed off, into the sunset to search for the remaining 18 checkpoints on foot.
SleepMonsters
