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The Cleanest AR Race Ever

Rob Howard / 11.11.2005

Most racers would say a little bit of mud and water never did any harm, but in this race that’s not true, they could. The invasive algae ‘Didymo’ has recently been found on rivers on the course, and while it is no danger to the racers, it can be harmful to river life and is said to be almost impossible to kill off once established.

The environmental authorities here in New Zealand are very concerned and want to do all they can to stop its spread …. which means racers, their boats and their kit will go through comprehensive ‘cleaning’ before, during and after the race.

Teams knew this was the case, but they will be surprised at just how often and how thoroughly they have to ‘scrub up’. At registration their bikes, shoes, kayaks, and paddles were taken into a cordoned area (marked ‘Danger’) where a team from ‘agriquality’ carefully washed them with the detergent ‘simple green’, the scrubbed and hosed them down.

This will be repeated at the end of each water stage, but also where teams cross from one river catchment area to another. And because the algae could be on the racer’s clothes they will also have to pass through a shower, while their clothes are taken to be washed then rinsed. These will be the cleanest adventure races ever!

“It’s just a detergent similar to washing-up liquid,� said Ron Meymell, who is in charge of the team. “We have a dozen people here, but even so this is a logistical nightmare. The teams will be very spread out, maybe by a day or more, and some of the places we have to reach have no road access, so it’s heli-lifts only.�

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