---

Five Go Adventuring

Rob / 27.09.2003

The setting for the race start could hardly be more dramatic. Base camp is set up on the shore of the Menai Strait, with views across the low tide sands to the Isle of Anglesey, and overlooked by the impressive towers and turrets of Caernarfon Castle. It was here that the race finished last year, with teams arriving exhausted after struggling against the fast flowing tide, a task that was too much for some. This year teams will start at 09.00 below the castle walls and kayak the other way through the strait, but with the tide. “I made a mistake with the tide times last year,� and Race Director Brian Elliot, “and I plan to right that wrong this year.�

Unfortunately, there will only be 5 teams enjoying the fast ocean paddle, and it was a small and low key campsite on the day before the race. “It’s a bitterly disappointing turn-out,� said Elliot, “with many teams unable to make it due to injury, but it’s going to be an enjoyable and testing course and a competitive race.� Naturally, the teams taking part felt a bit down at the low turn out as well. “This is the climax to our season and we’ve been building up to it all year,� said Anthony Emmet of Thorlos One. “Last year’s race was great, so it’s a real shame to find the race has so few entries.�

It was a relaxed Saturday, when those unfamiliar with them tried out the Necky double kayaks and everyone had a go on James and Lisa Thurlow’s Mtb Tandem. Only when the route for the first day was given out at 20.00 did the mood change to a more competitive focus on the race ahead. The route will only be given out a day at a time and teams went back to their tents or vans to mark the maps for Sunday. Sealskinz High Five were gathered in the back of their transit, while No Worries had the lanterns burning in their tent.

James Thurlow was assessing the route and said, “I’m looking forward to this now, though I’m a bit worried about the kayaking, as I only sat in one for the first time this afternoon. We’re going to miss out the 2 high checkpoints on the Carnedd mountains and take the 2 hour penalty, as we’ll be slow. It might take us 2 hours anyway.� Then he grinned and added, “We may be slow but even if we’re last, and we probably will be, we’ll still be 5th!�

The mountain run comes after the opening kayak stage, and is followed by a lengthy mountain bike stage, finishing with a night time ride around the new Marin Trail in forest north of Betws-y-Coed. Depending on how fast the teams go there may be an orienteering stage to break up the ride - if the leaders are too fast the orienteering will be added in! However, all the stages will have optional checkpoints allowing slower teams to cut them short and adding in a more tactical element to the race.

See All Stories On This Race