QUAC 1 – Worcester – 5 May 2007



Last year the Quac Adventure Challenge was a first experience for MARS in the new world of Adventure Racing – and we suffered! This year, MARS teams were able to travel to Worcester to take part in this event, and it was a very different story. We were well prepared and ready to take on the challenge with gusto.



As always, it began with the organization of kit, transport and accommodation. We set off on Friday at about 10am. With 6 boats, 12 paddles, 10 bikes and enough kit to make a Woolworths Sale look tame! After several pit stops, we arrived at 4, made short work of unloading kit and took possession of our rather nice rustic-style accommodation, a treat for us after the usual camping out in tents. Then we unloaded the boats and put them on the water to do a bit of recy work for the coming race.



After registration, we received our maps and immediately plotted all our CP points. Then we headed into town for supplies, and on our return to camp we enjoyed a great pasta prepared by Tonia. Together, and between a few good laughs, we planned strategy and route choices, advised new teams, and eventually it was time to hit the sack – in this instance, very comfortable mattresses.



We woke to a chilly, misty Saturday morning. About fifty teams were making last minute preparations, and our MARS teams were very excited and raring to go. The race started with one team member paddling to the middle of the river while a second member remained on the bank awaiting the start. On the command “Go”, the second team members swam out to their team mates in the boat, and the race was on. The long course went in a different direction to the short course, which caused some confusion, but not for our MARS teams, so we were off to a good start. During the paddle leg, we were in third, fourth, fifth and sixth position, and really enjoying the misty conditions. At the first transition we were out of the water and on the run in no time, and quickly completed the 10 km hike. After CP3, we had to swim back through the river to the start. It was great to arrive to the cheering of our ever-helpful and much appreciated back-up team.



After a quick bite to eat we set off on the 36km biking leg, which we enjoyed since it was reasonably flat, but then came an unfortunate run of punctures. Our black rubber tyres turned white with thorns, but in true MARS spirit, we refused to give in, and pushed our bikes to the top of the very sandy hill and fix the punctures on hard ground. This strategy worked really well, and with a few foam bombs in the tubes, we were on our way to the next check point. We found that the experience we had gained since last year, the training and race practice, had prepared us really well for navigation, and not only did we know exactly where we were all the time, but we found the check points with ease, which made our leisurely pace rather quick. One check point was on an island in a dam, and the swim was a relief from a day which had turned hot. As we were getting ready to leave for the finish, we gave a few tips to a couple of novice teams and helped them with their navigation.



They were all a little frustrated at being so far behind a “bunch of kids”, but we just kept our heads down and carried on regardless.



As we headed for the finish line, the last 6 kms became a question of riding 500 metres, then stopping to pump tyres for the next 500 metres. But we crossed the finishing line and felt very satisfied, enjoying the feeling of being at the end before the beginning of prize-giving. Three of our teams were still on the way and we waited for them to arrive, but the punctures had made it almost impossible to finish, and eventually, Cameron Taylor gave up his rear wheel and his chance to ride to the finish, so that another team could complete their first race. We were very proud of Cameron, who showed the true MARS spirit.



All in all we had a wonderful weekend, with all the MARS teams gaining new experience, learning new tactics and race preparation. I would like to particularly thank Ash and Tonia for the great back-up.



Our next race will be the night run and ride in Montague on Saturday 19 May. If you would like to participate, please let me know.



Thanks to all those who believe in the MARS Project, and we look forward to racing with you again soon.

By Ant Cambell.