ARC Outventure Race
June 16th ’07
Sprint Adventure Race
Kelso Conservation Area, Milton On
Website: adventureracingcanada.com
Adventure Racing Canada’s first race of the year was held at the awesome Kelso Conservation Area on June 16th. This was the 2nd race of the year for the Aurora High School AR team, with 16 athletes competing in the solo and team categories. In addition I entered the Co-ed race with my wife Meagan.
The race started with a 5km paddle around the Reservoir. All of our teams found themselves spread out across the water with several teams battling near the front of the pack for position. Meg and I found ourselves in the middle of the pack as we finished our second 2.5km loop as we climbed out of the boats and started a short 800m run back to the base of the ski hill to hit our first Checkpoint, jump on our bikes and begin our biking stage. The stage began with a winding climb up the ski hill along a steep, rocky trail…definately a tough way to start the bike leg. As the racers hit the top of the hill, we were directed into the woods (and singletrack) to start our first of two 7.5km loops though fast, challenging singletrack. Again, Meg and I found ourselves in the middle of the pack, passing a few teams and having a few teams pass us throughout the duration of the bike. At the end of the second bike loop we headed down the ski hill to our 2nd CP and our transition to the run. And what a way to start the run…..straight up the ski hill!! As we started up the hill we knew it was going to be a challenge but we made it to the top and were taken aback by the awesome view across the valley. So Cool. We headed out to complete the 5km run across the moraine and descended one of the main ski hills at Glen Eden to the finish line.
Our team finished 7th but only 8 minutes out of 3rd place. Not to bad at all!
As for our AHS athletes, all were able to successfully complete the course with several athletes posting impressive results including a 2nd place finish in the female solo, a 4th place in the male solo, a 4th place in the male pairs and a 6th place finish in the female pairs (by 2 grade 9 athletes no less!) Several athletes commented on “how cool the race was ” and how they “could not wait to race again”. This race marked the end of the spring racing season for AHS. It was a massive success with 45 athletes completing a race. Can’t wait to see what the fall brings!!
