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Chasing Checkpoints in the Cotswolds

John Hunt (Questars) / 11.09.2007

As well over 300 adventure racers set off from the Royal Horticultural Society's Pershore College in the last Questars event of the 2007 series it was near perfect racing conditions. The weather was cool, cloudy and calm and the terrain had dried out remarkably well after the deluge and floods that had devastated the area in July. The sun broke out later to provide clear views in all directions from the top of nearby Bredon Hill. Sunny conditions also made for a great post event barbeque in the college grounds.

At the race briefing teams were encouraged to venture up onto the high ground where there were a good number of both trail run and mountain biking checkpoints. Views all the way to the Brecon Beacons, Malvern Hills, Cotswolds and right across the Midlands plain were hard won after some steep ascents. Just to emphasise that this particular hill should not be under estimated our forebears named it Bre- (meaning hill) Don (also meaning hill). They built no less than three castles and ancient forts on its slopes and summit - all still visible today. So teams will long remember Bredon Hill as they pass close by on the M5 in the future.

The kayaking stage of the event was on a delightful stretch of the River Avon. Now thankfully restored within its banks the calm river belied its power evidenced by many remains of earlier flood damage, including an upturned barge near CP41. With exactly 70 minutes available on the water teams had to paddle hard to reach the furthest checkpoint and get back within time to avoid a time penalty. Two intriguingly named men’s teams achieved this - Team Artificial Respiration and Team Groin Strain! Here's hoping that their team names were not consequences of power paddling on the river.

The trail run checkpoints were scattered across very varied countryside taking in sections of the flat flood plain, through orchards along the scenic banks of the Avon, and then up and indeed for the very fittest runners over the other side of Bredon Hill. Gary Davies running appropriately as 'OvaTheHill' and seven other teams managed to visit all the trail run checkpoints. This includes Veteran Lyndon Sutton who has achieved this feat in every Questars this year.

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