Salomon Quantum Adventures Sprint Race #1 - Oaklane Cottages

If the two days leading up to the 1st Quantum Adventure sprint race were anything to go by, racers were going to be in for a scorcher! With temperatures reaching low 40’s in the valley, any form of water activity would be greatly anticipated.

Race day dawned with clear skies and a promise of the sweltering heat that would later punish the 112 teams out on the course. The heat of course deterred no one, and by 9am, there was an ardent clamor as teams strained to be released to go race.

With a swift blast of the start siren, the top teams shot off on the start of a fantastically varied and exciting 12km Mountain bike leg. Teams were treated to leg sapping climbs, awe inspiring views, wicked single track as well as a short hike-a-bike through a dam.

This done, it was off on a 3km cross country run/hike with a variety of natural obstacles throw in for fun. Muddy ditches, farm culverts and a much welcomed tubing section rounded off a fast paced running leg.

For all the short course athletes, this was enough exercise for one day as they all crossed the finish line to receive an ice cold USN EnerG sports drink and plonk down under the trees to cheer on the rest of the field as they headed out for lap two on the mountain bike and run.

The lead was hotly contended by a number of top teams, with Cyclelab, Giant/New Balance, Giant/Salomon, New Balance and Cape Storm all vying for a top spot. In the end, youth conquered the day as team Cyclelab stormed into the finish in a time of 1h39m, a good 3 minutes ahead of their closest competition Giant/New Balance 2. The top mixed team Giant/Salomon came in 6 minutes behind the leaders in a show of fantastic stamina and endurance to claim 3rd spot overall.

The racing was still far from over as 220 competitors from across the Cape slogged it out under the noon day sun. Everyone eager to complete the course and get out of the sweltering heat.

Overall it was a fantastic start to the 2008 Salomon Quantum Adventures Summer Sprint Series, and everyone’s looking forward to the 2nd event happening on the 17th Feb in the Elgin Area.

For full event details go to www.quantumadventures.co.za/race-bookings.php

Entries are now open for race # 2