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Winter Racing at its finest

The Two Below Duo was blessed with perfect winter conditions—lots of snow and even more cold. This two day stage event is part of Nemacolin Woodlands Winterfest and gave athletes the chance to expose themselves to nature’s wrath, and pamper themselves all in the same weekend. A perfect combo by any adventure racers standards—I am sure!

The T.B.D. started at the comfortable hour of 9:00am on Saturday with a short but challenging climbing prologue. The outdoor climbing wall at Nemacolin is quite high and getting to the top in temperatures well below freezing would prove to be a test for every-one. The fastest time was posted by Chris Welsh of the Abominable Snowmen at a very fast fifty-eight seconds. Other climbers struggled, clinging with cold numb fingers, for as long as eight minutes (the time limit).

The next event—The Biathlon—started at 11:00 am with a one mile run that had a premium for the fastest time and a target shooting test with paint guns. Next was a 3 mile run with even more targets, and finally a one mile run with even more targets. By virtue of a blazing first one mile run, team TKO emerged victorious with a time bonus aided time of 33:51 (TKO received a one minute time bonus for the fastest female climber and a two minute time bonus for the fastest first lap in the biathlon.)

The third event in the T.B.D. was a nighttime navigation. This course was to be run in the dark, with heavy snowfall, in temperatures hovering around the freezing range—wet and cold! This course was also to be run with compass alone—no map. This “all bearing” test would prove to be a challenge to all but it was team “Two for the Below” that would emerge victorious by annihilating the field with a time bonus aided time of 1:34:57. The next closest official time 2:02:47 was posted by the “Groundhogs” of Punxsutawney. The time bonus in this event was determined by a game of Five Card Stud played with the cards that the teams had collected on the orienteering course.

The final and most challenging stage of this four stage event—the mountain bike race—was held on Sunday morning. Conditions necessitated a shortened course and the bikers were appreciative. With several inches of newly fallen snow it was all but impossible to stay on the bike. Racers were forced to hike-a-bike one mile for every mile they rode. Fortunately the scenery was able to make up for the extra effort and everyone came back with smiles on their faces—thankful for the test of strength and thankful for the end. Thanks to all that participated on this wonderful winter weekend!!

Stage Winners

Two Below Duo Top 5 Finishers