The Helly Hansen Challenge
3rd December 2006
After nearly 4 hours of racing through a quagmire of mud and water only 2 minutes could separate the two Newmarket Cylcing & Triathlon Club teams in the Helly Hansen, Weavers Down Adventure Race in Hampshire at the weekend.
The NC&TC teams jostled for position on a start line with over 200 other teams to make up the countries biggest adventure race. Both teams started off at a steady pace for the first 3km run with NC&TC2, captained by Russell, opening a slight lead over NC&TC1. This slender lead was quickly widened as Mark was having trouble deciding on what outfit to wear for the bike leg!
Once on the 20km mountain bike course it soon became apparent the race was going to turn into a long hard slog, with the mud and water quickly swamping the bikes and riders with ease. Both teams were making steady, if slow, progress through the field despite frequent falls into the mud. With the majority of the bike course over with and NC&TC1 making good ground with Richard (who valiantly stepped in at the last minute as Bruce’s replacement) leading the way they came to a sudden halt after Mark ‘Knevil’ Hatley, for the second time, took a spectacle, tumble down a steep descent. If only Garry could see how Mark was treating his bike! After a few minutes of frantic checking the bike and rider were fit to continue, they were off again chasing their Newmarket counterparts and heading for a top twenty finish.
Once the ordeal of the mountain biking was over the mood was lightened as NC&TC2 showed great co-ordination and agility as they quickly negotiated the three man sack race section and sped off to tackle the kayaking.
With nearly 3 hours up on the clock the Newmarket teams supreme fitness was beginning to show as, Steve and Lee led the way paddling past many tired looking teams. Lee was looking particularly fresh as even found time for a few pirate impressions to lift the spirits. With cramp setting in to members from both teams they drew level on the last 3km run to the finish. It now came down to the team, which was suffering the least. In the last 1km NC&TC1, rallied by captain Neil, finally passed their fellow club members to open up a 2 minute lead, which they hung onto to finish in a final position of 19th. NC&TC2 manfully threw themselves over the last couple of obstacles to finish in an impressive position of 22nd.
The Tortoise 1 The Hare 0!!!
Result:
NC&TC1.
Neil Payne , Mark Hatley& Richard Marshall.
NC&TC2.
Russell Lewis, Steve Peck & Lee Dickinson.
For more information on this race series and adventure races in general:-
