For those expecting simple navigation on forest tracks, the Open 5 adventure race in the Forest of Dean will have come as a shock. Tight racing, challenging navigation, and surprising sights in the Forest made for a unique and unforgettable day.

 

A significant number of first-timers kept race director James Thurlow busy at registration, giving an overview of the event and tips on how to race. Having been a very successful racer with his wife Lisa before the birth of Open Adventure, he is well placed to encourage new racers in the sport. With another clear, cold and dry day, conditions were promising; there were a few down jackets being worn on the short ride from registration to the start, but once the event began the terrain ensured racers kept warm.

 

The start location in the Forest Holidays campsite at Christchurch was particularly well equipped, with superb cafe just a few hundred yards away, but although this kept the marshal team happy, the racers had less time to stop for a brew. Having had a gentle warm up on the ride in, they were off on foot and bike around the forest, seeking out check points marked on the biking & running maps. On foot, those with a historical bent were well served as checkpoints included King Arthur's Cave - where woolly mammoth bones have been discovered, and the Dropping Wells Iron mine. Depending on route choice, they may also have seen the Sucking Stone - thought to be the largest single boulder in the country. The cycle routes gave options of riding the Verderer's route, and visiting "Cathedral" - a stunning piece of stained glass hung in the forest - where one checkpoint was located.

 

Winners of the male pairs class, Chris Hope & Chris Steele of adidas/Keswick Bikes, commented "The navigation was tricky but the course was fantastic" which seemed to be the consensus. And results demonstrated how close it had been - with just one second separating the Powell brothers, both scoring 540 points, in first and second place.

 

Mixed pairs too were tight - Barbara Lonsdale and Andy Wilson, of For Goodness Shakes, had the top score of 480 points, but lost 10 points due to a late return to the finish, relinquishing their top spot to Ian Furlong & Renee Saxton, of adidas TERREX.

 

Family Dallimore had an excellent day, with Mum & Dad coming third in the mixed pairs, and son Jonathan coming 9th in the male solos. 

 

So the journey continues; with the series table of top 3 scores now available, the battle is on for series lead. The next event will be held in Hamsterley Forest, in the North Pennines, on 5th January. 

 

Further details of this & future events on www.openadventure.com.

 

Results:

Mixed Pairs:

1st : Ian Furlong/Renee Saxton 470

2nd : Barbara Lonsdale/Andy Wilson 470

3rd : Nick Dallimore/Caroline Dallimore 440

 

 

Female Pairs:

1st : Rosemary Byde/Lucy Harris 484

2nd : Lisa Whetter/Sue Woods 365

3rd : Eeva Kuisma/Catherine Pratt 243

 

Female Solos

1st : Jenny Allen 365

2nd : Fiona Poulter 350

3rd : Heather Jackson 315

 

Male Pairs

1st : Chris Hope/Chris Steele 495

2nd : Chris Dale/Robert Sharrock 468

3rd : David Sharpe/Steve Green 465

 

Male Solos

1st : Al Powell 540

2nd : Ifor Powell 540

3rd : Marcus Pinker 535