Everyone Gets Home

Richard Old (Wildside Adventure Race) / 12.10.2014

Today was the last day to get home. The race organizing team had the singular goal of get everyone home. The last leg of the race was a killer 37km coastal trek. What made this even harder was the high sun and strong winds.

It was a coastal journey covering all 3 of the great lakes. Teams started on the shores of Myall Lake and trekked towards Smiths Lake. When they reached the lake they were met with standup paddle boards. ‘Sure beats swimming!’ After a short paddle they headed towards Yaric Mountain and Pacific Palms. From here they hugged the coastline to 7mile beach. This long stretch of sand was the sting in the tail – a long stretch of beach that separates Wallis Lake from the Pacific Ocean. At the end of 7Mile, the final pieces of the race fell into place as the teams caught some iconic Forster landmarks to finish at Marine Rescue headquarters on the Forster Breakwall.

The first teams across the line, early Friday morning, were Team HardTale and 2Finish Adventure Racing. They had spent most the last half of the race together and when they finished it was highly emotional. It was then a long waiting game as teams took on the last leg.

Early on Day 5, around midnight, there was a call from Team Tiger. They had spent hours trying to find the exit track in a particular dense and complicated piece of forest on the 87km ride from Barrington. After hours of searching they made the decision to call in support. While disappointing for the team it was the right call as 6hrs until sunrise would have meant their race was over. They scored a drop off at the last TA and set off on the final leg.

Winners of the inaugural Wildside Adventure Race were Team Mountain Designs. Their final test, however, was literally carrying one of their team mates for the last 10km up lookouts, along beaches and up sand dunes. The relief on their faces when they finished said it all.

For the next 5hrs and into the night teams crossed the line. The sense of accomplishment and sheer relief filled the finish area.  Second was Stromlonauts and third Bear Hunt.

The official finish time of 6 came and there were still teams making their way to Forster. The finish line then moved to the awards dinner venue and during the dinner teams arrived to a cheer.

All teams were greeted with a souvenir beer stein (filled of course).

By 9.30pm all teams were home. From here the stories began to flow - funny tales of unique encounters and epic examples of overcoming hardship. The Wildside Adventure Race ended as it had begun with teams sitting back enjoying local hospitality.

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