7 Cerros Medellin Urban Adventure Race
Many teams suffering after tough ascent
Jacqueline Windh / 22.09.2007
Saturday September 22nd, 11am
Today started again with the go-karts, with teams arriving at CP1 in one quarter of the time estimated by race organizers - achieving speeds in excess of 40 km/h.
There followed an extremely tough trek, first down a steep and slippery rock path, then looping back and climbing back up the mountainsides all the way up to the race start - an elevation gain in excess of 500 m.
Sweden arrived first, with team Sole only a minute behind, and Spain and Rios y Canoas another minute after. Then followed the pack, numerous teams arriving within minutes of one another.
Sweden was in and out fast, but Martina was puffing hard. "The boys, they are strong, but I am not," she said.
Bad news for several teams. One member of Squash was suffering from both cramps and blisters - I am not sure if they will continue to the end. Team Safety is also extremely disappointed - Mirta is a very competitive triathlete, and she arrived to this race with problems with plantar fascitis, hoping that it wouldn't act up. But it did, so they withdrew today at the end of this trek. Koala Chevignon also has one member with ligament problems, and were making the decision whether to continue or not when I left the CP.
Teams are now on their bikes, speeding down-slope towards Cerro Nutibara, a lovely forested hill in the middle of Medellin city - check back in a few hours for a complete report of the whole day.
SleepMonsters
