The 4th Isle of Man Adventure Race sponsored by PwC and organised by Adventure Sports Centre, Adventurous Experiences took place on Saturday. This year the race was held all on one day and attracted competitors from on and off the island.
Teams of 4 completed the fun but challenging 'Event' category where each team member would compete in a choice of 2 out of the following disciplines; a 700m sea swim, 9km sea kayak, 15km mountain bike, 10km run and finishing off with one team member completing a 25 metre rope climb up a crane. The team with the best overall score was a visiting team from the UK - 'Steve UK' captained by Steve Parry, other team members being Leo Scheldinga, Stuart Evans and David Wormald.
This year for the first time a new race category the 'Elite' was launched for teams of 2 completing a mix of disciplines in a non-stop race. Navigation was a key component to this category as the course was unmarked but with various checkpoints along the way. The team's had to kayak 6km from Peel to Glen Maye before carrying their kayaks up the glen, taking a dip in the waterfall as part of a mystery challenge before jumping on their mountain bikes for a 20km bike ride. At the end of the bike ride an 11km run up onto Slieau Whallian out onto the coast and an ascent of Peel hill and a final mystery challenge - an abseil into Fenella Beach car park. The winning team went to local racers Stephen Caley and Stephen Quirk of team 'Hardly Athletic' who completed the Elite course in a time of 4hrs and 32 minutes.
Organiser and owner of Adventurous Experiences Keirron Tastagh said "Adventure racing is firmly established as a sport in the UK with race competitions taking place all over the country. It has been great to see our event go from strength to strength to be in the position this year to launch the Elite category which has the ability to put the island firmly on the map for those wishing to compete in these type of events. The Isle of Man offers the perfect combination of coastline, hills and glens ideal for this type of sport and it is pleasing to see a number of people recognising this by travelling to the island to take part in the race".
Mr Tastagh went onto say "The race is only possible thanks to the support from our official sponsors PwC who have supported the event since its inception together with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Sea Kayaking UK, Green Mann Spring, Mychreests Motors. Also thanks must go to DEFA, the DOI and various landowners for their support together with all the marshals and helpers that make the event happen."
Next year the race takes place on Saturday 20th September 2014 and the plan is to open the Elite category to solo entrants also. For more information visit www.adventurousexperiences.com.
Photo - the winning Elite team Stephen Caley (left), Stephen Quirk (Right).
