Adventure Racing News from Outdoor Nova Scotia

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Dense Fog Throws Racers Off Course!

by Diana Lynn Tibert

June 23rd, 2001 Mt. Uniacke, N.S. - At 3:00 am, under the cloak of darkness, heavy fog and the constant threat of rain, seven adventure racing teams left Melinda Wood’s Campground and trekked into the wilderness of Mount Uniacke, Hants County. It was the start of the Challenge Yourself Race", the first provincial event organized by Eastcreek and Ironbound Adventure Racing, a group of adventure racing enthusiasts based in Nova Scotia.

The dense fog proved to be the greatest challenge for racers, with several teams losing valuable time searching for check points as they trekked, biked and paddled the 60 kilometer course.

"The winning team made a wrong turn and everyone followed their tracks," said Ron Tibert of Eastcreek Adventure Racing. This wrong turn proved detrimental to several teams, causing them to arrive just before or after the cut-off time.

"We won?", shouted Nancy Foran of Team Quadraphelia (#3) in surprise as she biked towards the finish line. Although the finish line was in clear view, she asked again in disbelief, "We won?"

All four members of Team Quadraphelia (shown opposite with support crew) gathered beneath the finish line to pop the cork from a bottle of champagne and spray everyone within range. They had finished with a time of 7 hours and 31 minutes, well under the twelve-hour cut-off time.

Members of Team Quadraphelia included Glenn Coltman (Captain), Nancy Foran, Chris Foran and Al Reyner. The winning team received a $200 reward and each member received a medal and Swiss Army Knife.

Team Seven came in second place with the respectable time of 7 hours and 47 minutes. They, too, received the traditional bottle of champagne. Team members included Chris Cameron (Team Captain) of Halifax and Sean Williams of Amherst. Team Seven received $100 in cash and a $60 gift certificate, and each member received a medal and a subscription to the Daily News in Halifax.

Placing third was Team Four with a time of 11 hours, 45 minutes. Team members included Angela Weeks (Captain), Jeff Covert, Mike Patterson and Peter Patterson. The team received a cash prize of $50 and each member received a medal.

The "Challenge Yourself Race" was held in conjunction with the Mt. Uniacke and District Volunteer Fire Department’s 35th Annual Fair. The festivities began Friday night with the evening fireworks. Saturday afternoon, team members, volunteers and race officials were treated to a dinner at the Fire Hall, followed by a dance that evening.

Eastcreek’s next adventure race is a 36-hour, 150 kilometer event scheduled for Liscomb, Nova Scotia on September 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2001.