Insider's View
Port Arthur Stage
Walk/Run = 15km
MTB = ?
Kayak = 7.3km
The misty morning brought the crisp air as we woke to the wet (but very green) surroundings. A short bus drive to the start line at Waterfall Bay and today competitors were given a briefing by not only the race director, but also from Park Tasmania represenative. A mandatory walking section was required as a section of this run leg took competitors past some eagle's nests (it is common for mothers to fly away and abandon their babies if disturbed). As the clifftop run brought athletes onto the magestic Fortescue Bay, we were all hoping that the two Papua New Guinea boys would be first to hit the sand......and they certainly were. Stopping off to eat an apple on the way, the boys happily 'strolled' down the beach to many cheers and high fives to be the first into Transition 1. The first run leg brought a couple of injuries to ankles, with one person needing us to transform the drinks tub into a large ice bucket.
Whilst we were waiting for the last teams to come through transition, we heard the horrible news that someone had been hit by a car. We didn't know who it was until about 30mins later, when it was revealed it was Mark Webber. It was very, very sad news to hear. As he was airlifted to hospital, we knew he was in the best of care and we had to try and continue on as normal for the rest of the days racing as competitors were out on their bike leg.
Due to the weather, the planned kayak leg was cancelled and the bike leg extended, but still making it a short day. The first teams to arrive back to camp warmed themselves up with a nice shower and clean clothes and as soon as the last team arrived, a group briefing was conducted. The race director informed all competitors of Mark's accident and a sombre vibe filled the room. As we all took came to terms with this bad news, in true adventure race style the day's racing was not over yet. The sky had cleared a little and it was now time to get out on the water for a kayak leg (this was one time that coming in last was a bit of an advantage as you were still in your wet, muddy gear and didn't have to get changed out of your warm clothes).
Trying to find a temporary kayak partner for Dave Crawshay (Scott Brennan was out with a wrist injury) proved to be harder than I thought......with one of the volunteers luckily putting their hand up to do the two laps of a course out on the water. Strong winds tested the athletes arm strength, whilst the test for us Hosts was to figure out how to stay warm in the wind and rain (I found hiding behind a large bin worked quite well). As kayakers came into shore (after paddling under the middle section of a catamaran) they had a very small run across the grass and they were through the finish line for the (real) end of Day 4.
Highlight of Climbing into this Adventure:
Port Arthur Stage Walk/Run = 15km
MTB = ?
Kayak = 7.3km
The misty morning brought the crisp air as we woke to the wet (but very green) surroundings. A short bus drive to the start line at Waterfall Bay and today competitors were given a briefing by not only the race director, but also from Park Tasmania represenative. A mandatory walking section was required as a section of this run leg took competitors past some eagle's nests (it is common for mothers to fly away and abandon their babies if disturbed). As the clifftop run brought athletes onto the magestic Fortescue Bay, we were all hoping that the two Papua New Guinea boys would be first to hit the sand......and they certainly were. Stopping off to eat an apple on the way, the boys happily 'strolled' down the beach to many cheers and high fives to be the first into Transition 1. The first run leg brought a couple of injuries to ankles, with one person needing us to transform the drinks tub into a large ice bucket.
Whilst we were waiting for the last teams to come through transition, we heard the horrible news that someone had been hit by a car. We didn't know who it was until about 30mins later, when it was revealed it was Mark Webber. It was very, very sad news to hear. As he was airlifted to hospital, we knew he was in the best of care and we had to try and continue on as normal for the rest of the days racing as competitors were out on their bike leg.
Due to the weather, the planned kayak leg was cancelled and the bike leg extended, but still making it a short day. The first teams to arrive back to camp warmed themselves up with a nice shower and clean clothes and as soon as the last team arrived, a group briefing was conducted. The race director informed all competitors of Mark's accident and a sombre vibe filled the room. As we all took came to terms with this bad news, in true adventure race style the day's racing was not over yet. The sky had cleared a little and it was now time to get out on the water for a kayak leg (this was one time that coming in last was a bit of an advantage as you were still in your wet, muddy gear and didn't have to get changed out of your warm clothes).
Trying to find a temporary kayak partner for Dave Crawshay (Scott Brennan was out with a wrist injury) proved to be harder than I thought......with one of the volunteers luckily putting their hand up to do the two laps of a course out on the water. Strong winds tested the athletes arm strength, whilst the test for us Hosts was to figure out how to stay warm in the wind and rain (I found hiding behind a large bin worked quite well). As kayakers came into shore (after paddling under the middle section of a catamaran) they had a very small run across the grass and they were through the finish line for the (real) end of Day 4.
Highlight of Climbing into this Adventure:
- spending a few hours on Fortescue Bay
- watching the PNG boys come first on the run leg
