An Irresistible Challenge For Team Painted Wolf

Rob Howard / 09.11.2016

There are a few racers and teams here at Ulladulla who have not raced at ARWC for some years, but none have a history going back quite as far as Mark Collins. He took part in the first ever World Championships, sponsored by Discovery Channel, in Switzerland in 2001 and at the time raced with the Buff Adventure team. (The only other athlete here who also raced there is Nathan Fa’avae.)

Collins last world champs was in Newfoundland in 2003, and now he is back with Team Sanlam Painted Wolf (RSA), with his brother John, Andre Gie and Robyn Kyme.  They are here as a result of their win at Expedition Africa earlier in the year and Collins said, “That was the key to open the door for us.”  The win ensured a free entry as a series qualifier on the start line here, but their attendance wasn’t guaranteed and he continued; “On the day we had decided to pull the plug on competing we had a sponsor arrive in the office wanting to pay our air fares, and after that we got more sponsorship support ... and here we are again.”

When I asked why the brother s were back competing at a World Champs again after such a long break it took a while and some prompting to get a reply.  “Yes, it’s expensive and we spend long periods away from our families, “he said, ”but if you are an adventure racer you want to test yourself at a World Champs.  Maybe you can get a podium or a win at a qualifier, but here you really know where you are at in the sport as you are against the best.”

I asked what the team’s expectations were, even if they hoped to win, and they were naturally cautious. “You aim for the summit,” said Collins, “but it’s the journey that defines the adventure.”

Then he went on to point out all of the team had finished in the top 5 at some time in past World Championships and continued, “but we know how tough these guys are”.

Gie added, “There are probably 10 teams who might pull of a win, and 30 who might go for the top 10, so it’s unpredictable. In some ways it depends on the course and which teams it suits the best.”

John said, “Some teams race off and try to break the others, others play a longer game, but I guess you have to stay in touch with the front if you want to compete.”

Kyme raced the World Champs last year with Merrell Adventure Addicts, and I’m pretty sure she told me “never again” after that one, but she too is back for another go. 

For some athletes the pinnacle of adventure racing competition is just an irresistible challenge.

[Rob Howard is Editor-in-Chief of www.SleepMonsters.com the destination website for adventure racing and endurance sports worldwide.]

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