Adventure Race Reports

April Questars Race Report

Race 1 - 23 April 05 The Brecon Beacons

SCORES

Race Report

Adventure racers converged in record numbers upon Llangorse in the heart of the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park for the first event in the 2005 series of Questars. Traveling from all across the country they were rewarded with some new developments in Questars.

Firstly all teams’ maps are now pre-marked with the checkpoints for the trail run and mountain bike stages. This saved racers plotting grid references onto their maps and gave them a little more time to think through and plan their choice of route. As the value of the checkpoints and six ‘dummy’ non existent controls were revealed only as teams crossed the start line, many teams only finalised their routes as they set out from the warm and dry village hall into the drizzly Welsh air.

A second and very well received innovation was the Questars fleet of new sit on top kayaks that have replaced the famous or rather infamous yellow inflatable canoes. Men’s teams headed straight to the lakeside transition point and quickly maneuvered the new kayaks to collect up to five water bourne checkpoints. The other Masters Trio teams (ladies, mixed and veterans) also set off for their 6 hour race at the mass start at 10 o’clock and chose between starting their race with their trail run or mountain biking stages.

An hour later the many Novice teams in the Questars Trio event and all those taking part in the new Questars Duo event (who had opted not to venture onto the water) started on their 5 hour race.

With so many checkpoints to chose from there were a great variety of routes chosen. Leaders circumnavigated Langorse lake twice – once during their mountain bike stage and again on the trial run - this time on the network of footpaths. The latter stage also took racers to the summit of Mynydd Llangorse and a good way up the neighbouring and even steeper Mynydd Troed. The promised lifting of grey skies did not materialise and so spectacular views were denied those that ventured up this mountainsides.

The weather contributed to the mud on many bridleways and paths and so racers were particularly appreciative of the hot showers available along with the hot drinks back at the event centre. All teams were due to finish at 4 o’clock. So there was a frenzied climax to the day as teams sped across the finish line to avoid incurring penalties for being late back.

There was a buzz of anticipation as teams congregated in the village hall to await news of the leaders in each category. All teams were congratulated on taking part and especially the newcomers who had completed their first adventure race. Quest look forward to welcoming teams to the next race in the Questars series on Saturday 9 July in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.

Results

Questars Duo: