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Thule Adventure Team Win Expedition Idaho

Rob Howard/Race Blog / 21.08.2011

Expedition Idaho has wrapped up after an epic week of racing, with the leading three teams staying ahead and in the same podium positions as they have been for the whole race. Among the other teams its not clear who did what on the course, though its possible only the top 3 cleared the whole course ... but they have all finished now!

Toward the end of the race the 3 leading teams crossed at TA6, all at different stages of their race. Race Director Dave Allard explains;

“Team Thule had a 5 hour lead heading onto the Mineral Ridge trek, and had extended that to about 8 hours by the end of the 8 hour trek as Seagate stopped and banked a little sleep. The Kiwis were just leaving the TA to start the trek as Thule rolled in to finish it, still looking strong. Thule then had a very quick turn around for the beautiful 35 k lake kayak on Lake Coeur d’ Alene, which they finished at just around 1:00 am.

“They were in transition less than 40 minutes before they were back on their bikes for the final “regular� segment – the ride to Honeysuckle campground, which is our designated race “Dark Zone.� They passed through the gates at 5:15 am, stopping their race clock with just one final 49 mile segment – “he Mad Dash�- to the finish tomorrow. With their clock stopped, and after destroying the course 15 hours ahead of projected pace, we were able to ferry them up the road to the Resort where they can hang out, shower and rest a bit before we drive them back out to be with their fellow racers tonight.

Seagate followed in second, with Team Bones in 3rd, while the chasing teams were racing against various cut off times around the course from where they were moved to the Dark Zone area, ready for the race to the finish. This ‘Mad Dash’ was designed as a ‘victory lap’ with all the teams racing in together and on Friday Allard commented; “best news is that all 13 teams are going to be able to cross the line within a couple of hours of each other, and enjoy the fitting reward to their ultimate racing experience, with over 2000 screaming fans and several live bands on hand to cheer them on as they enter the “stadium� for the final sprint to the line. It promises to be like no finish ever seen before for an AR!�

Speaking of the top teams he added; “They will complete the entire, tricked out, beefed up course – 528 miles, 137,000 vertical feet – about a half day ahead of what we thought possible. It’s been an awesome display by two extremely fit, dedicated athletes… this was NOT an easy course. Most of them said it was the hardest one they ever raced, and yet it was like we couldn’t slow them down.�

With the prize giving and presentations now over the full results and racer reports will no doubt follow soon.

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