endurancelife Coast to Coast
Breathtaking
endurancelife / 30.09.2005
The event lived up to it's reputation as one of the toughest endurance events on the UK calendar and the sunshine and views meant that the Devon landscape lived up to it's own reputation for spectacular breathtaking scenery.
The event attracted some of the UK's best athletes prepared to run, mountain bike and kayak their way across the county. Devon, with it's 2 rugged and spectacular coast lines, 2 national parks and 7000 square kilometres of land, makes the perfect backdrop for an epic multi sport adventure like the Coast to Coast.
80 athletes began the challenge, which started on Saturday morning with a 2.5 mile run up hill from Foreland Point lighthouse the most northerly point in the county. They then transitioned to their mountain bikes for the 58 mile cycle across Exmoor and onto Dartmoor. The third and final leg of day one was a gruelling 6.5 mile run into camp in Widecombe.
Tom Gibbs set the pace, with an incredibly fast bike ride and run setting up a gap of 24 minutes from his nearest rival Nigel Bunn.
Chris Wotton also started the event well finishing the run in 25 minutes, just 3 minutes behind Tom. After a fast transition onto the bike he began the lonely bike ride which he completed in just under 4hrs 30 minutes, maintaining his position. He finished strongly with a 58 minute final run and appeared in good spirits as he crossed the finish line.
After a hot meal, massage and drinks, it was an early night camping for the majority of competitors, as for many the hardest day of the challenge was still to come.
Day 2 of the Coast to Coast involves a 20 mile off-road mountain bike ride to Totnes. A 10 mile kayak down the River Dart to Dartmouth and a final 17 mile run along the coastal path to East Prawle and the finish line.
The bike leg began at 9am and competitors shot over the start line, eager to make up time on their rivals. Scalk Hersallman from South Africa took an early lead, finishing the bike leg in 1hr 29 minutes, Chris Wotton and Tom Gibbs came in neck and neck 8 minutes off the lead and began paddling furiously towards Dartmouth. Tom who represents UK team Saab Salomon, pulled away on the kayak section and overtook Hesallman to begin the final 17 mile run in pole position. Scalk started in second and Chris 3rd. The run followed the coastal path through Strete, Stoke Flemming, Hallsands, Beesands and Prawle offering breathtaking views on such a bright sunny afternoon that rival any view in the world.
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