ADVENTURE RACING
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ARC Enduro Adventure Race - Muskoka- September 13, 2003

Post Race Review

 

 Captain's Meeting
Early on October 18, 2003, over 300 racers, volunteers and spectators gathered in the spectacular main lodge at Camp Pinestone in Muskoka, Ontario, for the Captain's Meeting prior to the ARC Enduro Adventure Race that would start later that morning.

As each team's name was called out, they all received their race package, containing maps, instructions and race passport, and their first glimpse of what lay ahead of them that day.

Then as teams eagerly plotted the checkpoints on their maps, Course Designer and Race Director, Glenn Meeuwisse, began his review of the course, answered questions, and then announced that the race would begin in half an hour at approx 9.45am.

Click here for more ARC Enduro - Muskoka Race Photos

 The Start
On an unusually warm, late summer morning, teams gathered at the start line for the race; and when the countdown reached 3-2-1 the racers were off down the main road of the camp for the start of their 5 to 8 hour adventure.

Teams were required to find two checkpoints on the 500 acre Pinestone property, before they were able to get their canoes and head out on the next leg of the race. And for most, this proved to be fairly easy, while other first time racers, quickly realized that navigation with map and compass may not be as easy as they had hoped.

 Paddling
Once teams picked up their canoes they were given the choice of putting-in the boat anywhere they wanted in order to make their way to the north end of Clear Lake, about 3km away.

And then as they paddled back down Clear Lake and portaged into Echo Lake, they were given a second choice with their canoes when they were able to pull up on shore anywhere, before they started their first trek section of the race. (But of course, they had to try to remember where their boat was left, so they could find it when they returned)

 Trekking
As teams started off on their second trek of the race, they encountered terrain that included small lakes, swamp, small streams and open areas of Canadian Sheild rock.

Many teams were forced to swim or wade their way through these areas as they searched for Checkpoints 4, 5 and 6.

In fact on of the unique aspects of this part of the course were the 'floating moss bogs' where competitors said they felt like they were walking on sponge.

After the teams found Checkpoint 6, they had to return to the shores of Echo Lake, where most had left their canoes, find their canoes and then make their way back to Camp Pinecrest to pick-up their bikes.

 Biking
The biking section of the course took teams on a ride along the 'Old Gravenhurst Road' (the original colonization road that linked Gravenhurst to Bala), through an area called 'The Devil's Gap' and onto checkpoints near Muldrew Lake, before they circled back along a series of roads and trails to reach the Torrance Barrens.

The Torrance Barrens has a unique lunar landscape that is characterized by low ridges of Precambrian bedrock, and it has been identified by astronomers as an ideal location to view the night skies.

It was here that the top teams were required to go on an additional trek loop to two checkpoints located in the Barrens, while the rest of the teams continued on the course toward the finish line.

 The Finish
As teams biked their way back into Camp Pinecrest and across the finish line, they were greeted by the sound of their team name and finish time being announced to the crowd of friends, family and other competitors who had gathered. And once they had handed in their passports, participants were able to reflect on their accomplishments and enjoy a fantastic post race BBQ meal.

The top Coed team (EAS-Hammer) finished in time of 5hrs. 55mins., followed by Team BikeSport and Team Bick's Two Favourite Pickles.

The top Open Male team (Team Disciples of Declanation) finished in a time of 7 hrs 22 mins, followed by P3 and Meshcha Diaya Ayganickanawin.

Team Dreadnoughts, City Slickers and Milestone Speedsters were the top three Masters teams.

Congratulations and thank you to all the Teams and Volunteers that participated in the ARC Enduro - Muskoka Adventure Race.

A special thank you to all the sponsors and supporters of the race, including:

Camp Pinecrest, Soles Custom Footbeds, Superstands, Wet Ones, Rub A535 and Ford of Canada.

For complete ARC Enduro Adventure Race Results

Race Descriptions | Race Divisions | Entry Fees
Rules & Regulations | Series Championship Info | Volunteers

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