planetfear Endurance Series Wraps Up at Open24
Press Release / 29.07.2010
At 6.30am on Saturday morning racers were loaded onto coaches and taken to Rhoscolyn on the Western coast of Anglesey. Coasteering was the first activity on the menu and the prologue of the race. The teams were soon scrambling along the coastline and leaping off the rocks into the Irish Sea. Though it was an optional activity most teams took part not wanting to miss out on the points on offer.
The weather was not on the side of race organizers and it was decided to take out the first kayaking section at Rhosneigr. So the race started with a cycle orienteering section – stopping on route to complete a trail run in the Newborough Forest, and then to an alternative more sheltered kayak section along the Menai Straits. It was back into the saddle and a speedy ride between Felinheli and Ogwen cottage. Tired already racers were only a few hours into the race with over 20 hours to go!
The next transition was at the Nant Ffrancon valley and it symbolized the move from the coastal lowlands into the mountains of North Wales. This was highlighted in the next stage where accurate navigation was required as teams had to move across the mountainous terrain. The route took them over the Glyderau in poor visibility to Capel Curig. Racers trekked through the night and reached the next transition in the early hours of the morning. Then it was back onto the bikes for a shorter section to the village of Dolwyddelan.
If your legs weren’t already fatigued the teams were then faced with another running stage to Moel Penamnen and Pen y Benar then down into the mining village of Cwm Penmachno. Race planner Andy Wilson came up trumps with the next stage which involved racers finding their way around the mining tunnels in Rhiw Bach quarry, crossing underground lakes and crawling out of the exit on the far side.
Andy comments – “James and I put an enormous amount of effort into making sure the Open 24 was as exciting and challenging as it could be for the competitors, and showcased what North Wales has to offer in all the key Adventure Race disciplines. The opening coasteering stage, and RIB ride, set the scene for an adrenaline-fuelled 24 hours of racing. From what the competitors have said, they weren’t disappointed.
Safely out of the mines racers were back on the bikes to check out the Penmachno and Marin trails near to Betws-y-Coed. This section took in one last orienteering stage around the Llyn Elsi reservoir this was the final test for racers before they finally crossed the finish line 24 hours after they had begun and amazingly all still smiling!
This race would not have been possible without the careful planning by Andy Wilson. Open Adventure would like to extend their thanks to the following people James Stephenson from Adventure Elements for coordinating the coasteering, kayak safety and the RIB trip, Miles Moulding of Go Below for staging the mine exploration and The National Trust, the CCW and the Forestry Commission. Finally thanks to all the local farmers and landowners for allowing us to use their land, the volunteers who did an awesome job with logistics and sponsors planetFear.
<b>Results;</b>
<b>Female Pairs Winners Wales Open 24 and Series</b>
1st - Barbara Lonsdale/Jackie Scarf
2nd - Jenny Allen/Judith Hughes
3rd - Liz Barlow/Sally Ozanne
<b>Mixed Pairs Winners Wales Open 24</b>
1st - Bruce Duncan/Nicola MacLeod
2nd - Steve Fisher/Fi Spotswood
3rd - Julia Hobson/David Spence
<b>Mixed Pairs Series Winners </b>
1st - Steve Fisher/Fi Spotswood
2nd - Chris Morgan/Anna Sloan
3rd - Emily Brooks/Jake Morgan
<b>Male Pairs Winners Wales Open 24</b>
1st - Tom Gibbs/John Houlihan
2nd - Simon Enderby/Stuart Lynch
3rd - Kim Collison/Neil Hamblin
<b>Male Pairs Series Winners</b>
1st - Tom Gibbs/John Houlihan
2nd - Andy Mitchell/Phil Scarf
3rd - Kim Collison/Neil Hamblin
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