C2C Adventure Race
Open Adventure Coast to Coast Adventure Race ... In Anticipation
Charlotte Hattersley / 23.08.2013
As teams and solos gather for the Open Adventure Coast to Coast Adventure race, there's evidence of both nerves & excitement. It's a bit late for last minute kit purchases - although there's a Tesco open for food & certainly some "kit faff" going on.
In the morning, the teams register from 8am, and meet for a briefing at 9.15. The race starts at 10am, assuming the sea state is reasonable and there isn't a need for a kayak test before hand (which would delay the start until 10.30am).
There are thirteen teams of three, as well as seven non-competitive pairs taking part. Then there's the solos - nine female, and sixteen male.
Competition looks tough, and in particular expect some battles among the girls - last year's second place Sally Ozanne is looking strong, as is Lucy Harris coming back from an injury - but she has just broken her 10k PB. Fiona Poulter has done well in the Open 5 series - and Helen Leigh, of www.RowforFreedom.com is an unknown quantity to adventure racing - but comes with a pedigree in Triathlon - and an Atlantic row, so some endurance!
No doubt time will tell.
Tomorrow starts with a sea kayak leg to St Bees, a cycle to the head of Crummock Water, then kayaking down Crummock Water and Buttermere - interspersed with a challenging portage. Competitors then run over Robinson and Catbells, with a swim across Derwentwater before running into Keswick town centre, where the finish awaits.
Each day has a "King of the Mountains" competition, for the fastest ascent, and Friday's is the ascent from Gatesgarth at the foot of Buttermere to the summit of Robinson - spare a thought for the marshal manning that spot if the weather is grim.
For spectators and supporters, the leaderboard , showing live placings will be visible on large screens at the finish - tomorrow in Keswick marketplace, and for those at home, the live event website keeps you up to date, with route information as well as location and placings of each category.
Each team and solo racer carries a GPS tracker, which updates frequently,so you can watch your team as they progress across the country.
We'll be uploading photographs and updates throughout the next few days, so keep in touch with us here:
live.openadventure.com
www.facebook.com/openadventure
www.twitter.com/openadventure #C2CAR
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