Adventure Xstream 2008 Race Series Opens With Record Numbers
By Scott Murrell
Fancy yourself a hardguy? Test your mettle at the Adventure Xstream Race Series. The series is one of the premier multisport endurance racing series bringing beginners and professionals together in the same venue in some of the most scenic areas in the West. There are a total of six races in the series where athletes paddle, navigate, mountain bike, trail run, rappel and Tyrolean Traverse their way to victory. Racers are offered their choice of Sprint, 12 hour, and 24 hour races, in 4 person co-ed, 4 person open, 2 person co-ed or open, solo men, and solo women.
Adventure Xstream’s 8th season started off with record numbers. Close to 400 racers charged off the starting line in Moab, Utah on April 5, 2008. The action began with a mad dash to the Colorado River running at about 6000 CFS and 49 degrees via race-provided inflatable kayaks laying on the other side of a wooden rail fence, 2 teammates per boat. (Some words of advice, don’t grab the solo kayaks next race, and watch out for that top rail.) The paddling section was extremely close with the top four teams within four minutes of each other. Team Boulder Performance was first out of the water with Nike only 1 minute behind heading into the mountain bike transition. The teams then road up Long’s Canyon and with a perfect view of the LaSal Mountains, they headed down through Bull Canyon, to the base of Gemini Bridges.
A quick transition followed to the run/trek where Team Nike was in the lead and never looked back. The teams headed up to the rappel, harnessed up, and 275 feet later (after taking in the scenery) they were back at the base of Gemini bridges. Another transition back on the mountain bikes and they headed out reversing the first mountain bike section to the finish at Gold Bar along the Colorado River. Team Nike was first to cross the finish line in 6 hours 4 minutes and 53 seconds. Team Boulder Performance Network was second with a time of 6 hours 35 minutes 8 seconds.
Sari Anderson of Team Nike said the race “was fast and exciting, and a great way to start the season.” Keri Nelson with her 3rd place Team 4 Corners AR Too!, said “it was great to see so many new faces in the sport, especially a four person, all female team, called Yes Mams.” Yes Mams completed the race in the adventure category. First time racer, Michael Rutter stated “the run was really fun, but the second bike was extremely tuff” as he went on to place 2nd as a solo male. First place solo male was Brad McLean. First place solo female was Renee Kline. The two person co-ed category was won by Team For Better Or Worse, and two person open was won by Team Murphy’s Law.
The continued success of adventure racing is apparent with great race directors like the team of Will and Jenny Newcomer, who embrace first time racers, and yet challenge all who enter. There is no better way to start getting into Adventure Racing than to check out the Adventure Xstream website at www.gravityplay.com, they even offer adventure camps, from beginner to Primal Quest certification. Check out some of the upcoming articles as we get some inside scoop from the pros and tips on trustworthy gear. The next race is in Buena Vista, Colorado, see you there.
–Scott Murrell-Team Steamboat Coffee Roasters.
