Adventure Racing
By anybody’s standards a very long day at the office, the single day race is billed as just that the longest day , in some cases a long two days at the office, for those who take the ultra challenge and pit themselves and their machines against an unyielding foe of distance, time, and a world of hurt.
This is where all the stories I love to pick up, on happen. We all have the up most respect for the professional that has their livelihood attached to the place, they get at the next race. Then there is the age grouper and the aspiring legends.
Please let me introduce you to a lady called Helen Springer
Helen is the one on the right, Carolyn is one of the support crew ( I hope I remembered her name correctly 
After a trip to the able Tasman park for a great kayak trip my friend Mare and I stopped of at Arthur’s pass, to catch up with my old training buddy Rod ( I can call him that now he is officially a pensioner ) even though he still a tough nut to crack.
He and his wife were camping at Kennedy’s Hut while walking in the area ( i will post some pics of the area later). It was also the hangout for some of the two day racers for their overnight stay.
From the start at Kumara after the first 3k run then a 55k cycle, they hand over the bike for a 33k mountain run to the first day finish area, klondyke corner which is also the transition area for run to bike leg for the one day racers.
Training heartache
Maybe it is only an athlete who can understand the absolute heartache that goes along with training till you are wondering, why am i doing this I hurt yet still makes the effort to get to the start line, to have to stop because of injury or just plain bad luck.
Brian, Simon, and honest Andy
Simon the guy in the Red shirt had great expectation of a great race only to find
out indigestion pains were actually appendix pains, zip no race for him, poor guy could not even have a beer to drown the sorrows as he was pumped full of antibiotics.
Brian was facing the challenge well prepared, he was confident of finishing the event which is a notable thing in its self.
The plan was going well until he discovered his race fuel was gone of his bike seriously
depleted energy levels saw not able to complete the leg which is disqualification
BUMMER.
SUPPORT CREW
As is and I hope will always be the goodwill and camaraderie that is amongst those that
understand what it takes to get to a start line let alone the finish line the boys decided to
join the support crew for Helen and cheer her home.
What was next for the intrepid racers was a 15k bike to the transition to kayak at Mt
White Bridge for a 67k paddle down the Waimakariri River.
The boats used here the most popular by far was JK racing kayaks www.jkkkayaks.co.nz
These boats are carbon fiber missiles. I had a chat with Jan-Kees the maker of the craft,and was regaled with tales of the good old days of when the race was a lot simpler.
I appreciated what he was saying as i know when I started my Triathlon there was a lot more easy going fun aspects about it , but that is another rave.
Transition day 2
Because of the way the race is staged and the logistics of getting people in and out of race areas the next time we were able to catch up with the racers was at Waimakariri river gorge bridge for the final transition to bike.
Wish I was in one of these Babies
This is the nature of this race it is in remote country if something did happen it is the only way out for an injured or distressed racer.
The current here runs very quickly and more than one capsize has occurred here.
the paddlers have to line up the chute and hit it straight and remembering that they have
just paddled 65k
The water is running quickly here the Marshall has the blue flag out to indicate finish area miss it and you don’t want to have to paddle back.
The Marshals and crew were great the legs take a bit to get working after a
WEE paddle
Final leg
Well almost there, all that is to be done now is the final ride into Christchurch of 70ks.
Helen has arrived after the paddle feeling good she knows the last part is ahead of her,
her training and nutritional plan are working.
After we wished her well it was back to Christchurch for the finish.
When we got back to Christchurch I had to leave my friend Maree and make my way down to Sumner and the finish area.
So whats a boy do puts on his running shoes and after being told it is only about 5k to the finish bolted off to try and catch the finishers, figured if i put on a bit of pace I could get down there in 20Min’s with traffic etc.
After 12Min’s I see a sign that tells me its 5k to the finish,
bugger so it is going to take me a bit longer. As I am running into the last 2k
I hear this Cheery voice ” Hey dude ” as Helen bikes past on her way to the finish line,
”hey slow down I am trying to get pic of you finishing ‘that’s the last thing on her mind
as she rounds the corner parks her bike has and the short run into the finish chute.
THE FINISH
To all the competitors well done what a great effort to the guys that did not make and the Stars that had a bad day. Richard Usher having a collision with a rock and putting him out of contention. But our Helen has a big smile an said she will be back next year.
Related posts:
