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Gerry Voelliger / 20.09.2007

With the largest and most competitive field of adventure racing teams in its five year history, the Thunder Rolls Adventure Race was held on September 8 – 9, 2007. 46 coed teams of three from 14 states competed for prizes and to qualify for the United States Adventure Racing Association National Championship on November 2 – 3 in Potosi, Mo.

The battle for first place in the 24 hour Open Coed Division was close from the midnight start to the afternoon finish. While racing together, Wedali 1 and Wedali 2 maintained a close lead over Team Timberland and Alpine Shop. With a strong push in the final orienteering section, the time gap increased to one hour and twenty nine minutes separating the top three teams. Wedali 1 and 2 finished first in 13:17. Timberland finished third in 14:38 with Alpine Shop closely following in fourth at 14:46. Team Bike Iowa finished fifth in 16:29.

The first place team in the 24 hour Same Gender Division was Alley Cats in 20:10 and second was Scan for Danger at 21:40. The first place team in the 24 hour Masters Division was Virabhadrasana in 19:10 and second was Three Blind Mice in 21:40.

The first place team in the 12 hour Open Division was Wastin’ Time Too in 9:05, second was Classic – AR in 10:35, and third was Marshal County Brush Hogs in 12:03. The first place team in the 12 hour Same Gender Division was Iowa Wolf Pack in 9:03 and second was Diseased Mining Caterpillars in 9:42.

This year’s course was scenic and challenging. The 24 hour teams faced an 80+ mile course. The race opened with a 4 mile bike prologue followed by a 9 mile orienteering section through Mississippi River marshes and heavily wooded uplands. A 34 mile biking section leading to a 3 mile orienteering section with a 70’ rappel followed. Upon reaching a transition area on the Mississippi River, teams paddled over 14 miles involving a lengthy portage.

Off the water, teams continued on their bikes to a 1 mile hike-a-bike section over the historic Hauberg Trail. Back on the bikes for a 9 mile single track section, featuring the best the Midwest has to offer. Teams that made the time cutoff were allowed to continue to the advanced section involving a 4 mile orienteering section. With all points found, teams continued to the finish at the historic Grange Hall in Illinois City, IL. Teams in the 12 hour division were challenged with a shortened version of the course with approximately 50 miles traveled.

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