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Media Teams on the Run

Rob Howard / 27.08.2011

The big running stage of day 2 was from Thirlmere over Helvellyn, and it was hard for all the teams ... some more than most. It was a big climb, and when the majority of the races crossed the high ridges on the top there was heavy cloud limiting visibility.

For the addias TERREX team and James Cracknell in particular, it was another difficult stage on which they lost a lot time to the leaders, Team Accelerate. Once again he struggled on the uneven ground on the descent and the young Accelerate runners, who had started the day 8 minutes behind them on the staggered start, raced past, and extended their lead. By the time the mountain run was over they were over 11 minutes ahead on the day (19 minutes overall).

Bruce Duncan, who was again running with Cracknell said, “We made up some time on the paddle and on the final ride, but lost far too much on the run.� Cracknell didn’t comment (to any of the race media), which is naturally focused on him, and it’s clear he is struggling with the demands of the race.

Another media team facing a different challenge on Helvellyn was the team from Trail Running Magazine, who had an extra long run after going the wrong way. They passed the descent route on Swirral Edge and ended up taking a much longer route down to the transition at Patterdale. Claire Maxted, the magazine’s Editor is taking part and explained what happened.

“We took the wrong ridge down and lost loads of time,� she said. “There was even a camera crew along the right path, but it looked like a cliff so we ran on past and then had to take a much longer way, with another climb in it as we crossed a valley. Then when we came down we saw a man with his arm in the air in a field and thought he was a race marshal ... but it turned out it a sheep dog show and he was signalling his dogs! But at least he told us where to go. I’m kicking myself as we were doing so well and trying to get in the top 5 mixed teams, but now we are last.�

The team did pull some places back by the end of the day, and when they finished she was in a more positive mood. “Now I want to go back and do it again – and get it right this time!� Her advice to trail runners is that they can compete in this kind of multisport race with the right preparation. “If you have someone experienced on the team with you it helps,� she said, “and you should build up to it with some off road duathlons and a bit of kayak training. With the right preparation this race is achievable for most trail runners.�

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