C2C Adventure Race
Day 2 - A day of Spillages
Charlotte Hattersley / 25.08.2013
First team to start were last night's last finishers - Team wARrior. They left at 6am, still smiling & looking fresh - after they had collected their tracker. Competitors followed at 3 minute intervals in time order. There was one overnight retirement, from Fiona Poulter.
The ride to Thirlmere was a little wake up call, ready for the paddle to the south end of the reservoir. The supporters were allowed to assist competitors with their kayaks down the steep path, then it was off into the grey light for an atmospheric paddle to escape the midges at the water's edge. Most found the paddle straightforward; but not so the portage at the other end, which, although shorter than that between Crummock Water & Buttermere yesterday, still required some brute force - even if a portage trolley was in use.
A quick transition for support teams was required, as parking was very tight, & perhaps this contributed to the forgotten paddle which had to be relayed to Patterdale.
Helvellyn was a set route, and today's King of the Mountains competition was timed from exiting the Thirlmere South transition up to the summit of Helvellyn, where Chris Heppenstall camped out for much of the morning, having carried the radio repeater there at dawn. First up were Family Duncan, in 45 minutes 3 seconds, with Bruce admitting a tow from brother Jonathan. adidas TERREX Prunesco were next, (48:43) and in third were Chester Tri (49:21).
The descent was via Swirral Edge, although one team took a detour & descended via Glenridding Common, adding a little road run to the route. Competitors took to the water at Patterdale, and there were some smooth & rapid transitions - although the surf-ski paddlers had the challenge of shallow water to handle initially, & some ran with their skis along the river until it became deep enough to paddle.
Helen Leigh, Lucy Harris & Sally Ozanne left transition in quick succession, but Helen powered away up the lake, leaving Sally & Lucy behind; although Sally did manage to tip the ski in the river at Pooley Bridge she still maintained a significant overall lead.
There was some relief at Pooley Bridge as the kayaks were stowed away for the final time in the race. This was particularly true for Stuart Pigg, who, having been unable to get his paddling certification in time, has been running alongside the lakes for the kayak sections, and being credited with 125% of the slowest time.
Pooley Bridge was also where the field re-grouped as the fastest racers caught up the the earlier starters. Then there was free route choice by bike across to Kirkby Stephen, but with the proviso that A and B roads could only be used for a maximum of 500metres. Most teams followed a similar route, up onto Askham Fell, across to Cliburn, and then south-east across to Kirkby Stephen.
For most this was a fast & relatively straightforward stage with the first team in being adidas TERREX Prunesco, followed by Family Duncan - Haglofs, and then Ant Emmet. Sally Ozanne was again the first female solo home, followed by Claire Dallimore. Unfortunately Helen Leigh had an argument with an errant map, resulting in a fall at speed, and was slowed by this, although she has still retained her second place and has no intention of allowing this to slow her down.
Results, routes and photographs are over on live.openadventure.com
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