Coast 2 Coast Adventure Race Series 2
Sunshine in Snowdonia
Rob Bullen / 08.10.2008
The field of competitors had a truly international feel with a couple of Danish AR teams joining the usual assortment of English, Scottish, Kiwi's, SA's and others. After a couple of hours the cold was starting to take its toll as they clambered up a muddy bank to transition to the bike stage. The chill between the teams was starting to thaw as they shared warm coffee momentarily before they sped off on their bikes.
After several miles on the Welsh roads, the teams entered the ‘Marin Trail’ for the first technical MTB stage. By this time the field was spread out and navigational errors were about to scatter them even wider afield. The Marin trail was to set the heart rate a-pumping on both the steep climbs and the downhills.
Following the fun was the long climb up to Pen-y-Pass where the competitors would progress on foot up to the summit of Snowdon. As the riders grinded their way around the corner at ‘Moel Berfedd’, the climb ahead of them reared out of the sunshine. The task ahead was to climb to the highest peak in Wales and then descend to the Day 1 finish at Llyn Gwynant.
Most competitors either used the ‘Miners Track’ or ‘Pyg Track’ to ascend the mountain. The climb was hard but all were rewarded with breathtaking views across the Snowdonia National Park. Then the chase was on to get to the bottom using the fastest route possible - some used tracks and some just didn't.
Throughout the hot afternoon the runners trickled into the Endurancelife base camp besides the lake, all receiving deserved applause. The early morning coldness seemed a long time ago in more ways than one, as stories were shared and navigational gaffs were swapped.
After a cup of tea and much needed savory snacks upon arrival, a healthy serving of chicken curry was served for dinner, made by Jamie Oliver’s dinner lady of the year – or so we were told! With teams rested briefly, some more briefly then others, the score night navigation stage began.
The course displayed the sardonic nature of the organisers as some of the checkpoints were just put there to tease you, but it was fun all the same and a credit to the organiser’s attention to detail. Day 1, which had started at 7am had now finished at 9pm, some people had been going for 7 hours, some for 13 hours. More of the same was to come for Day 2!
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