Nopesport

Competitors from as far a field as Cambridge, Hertford, Matlock and Edinburgh made their way to the South Lakes in Lake District to pitch their adventure racing skills against competitors from the north of England. This was the second event in the Open5 series of Adventure Races, with competitors using pre-marked maps to visit as many checkpoints on foot and by mountain bike over 5 hours.

With registration at the Windermere Canoe and Cycle in Bowness, the start proved to be an interesting find with competitors having to travel on the Bowness ferry to the foot of Claife heights. People elected to either cycle or run first with the run taking in the fine views of the Kentmere valley from the top of Claife heights and the mountain biking drawing competitors to the excellent mountain bike trails found in Grizedale.

As the weather switched from sun to showers, competitors hung there necks out in an effort to return before the five hour cut off (serious score penalties for being late). Andy Simpson in the male solos from Loughborugh cleared the course with 605 pts in 4:30 hrs beating Steve Heading the UK mountain bike orienteering champion who scored 595 in 4:31. The ladies were hot on their heals with Janine Hensman from Edinburgh scoring 555 in 4:52. The hottest competition was in the mixed pairs with the Sarginsons of Clitheroe scoring 555 in 4:49 narrowly beating Chris Poole and Karen Happenstall with 550 in 4:49. The locals not to be outdone were well represented by Rob Turner and Ian Mulvey of Ambleside who also cleared the course in 4:52 beating the previous event winners Russ Ladkin and Jeff Powell Davies of Cambridge. Cress Allwood and Renel Bartlett of Kendal also took first prize in the Female pairs with 435 pts seeing off the Dallam pair of Emma Aspden and Hazel Jones who scored 420.

Full results & info on future events can be found on www.openadventure.com
Event gallery can be found on www.mountain-bike-cumbria.co.uk

Source: James Thurlow

Photo credit to James Kirby