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Race Recap by John Ralston of Team BLAZE

(race director editorial in paranthesis)

Run: At the beginning of the race when reading the instructions I was a little disheartened thinking that it would just end up being a “follow the leaders” race, and since you outfitted us in “yellow” (leaders jerseys awarded to Team BLAZE for winning the "08 series) it’s pretty easy to find us. It did not help that we started at the end of the line (race directors lined the racers in bib order--but facing the wrong direction! When teams received maps and clue sheets they realized this.) and had to pass everybody to the Polo Field. The sprint to get the (premium) clue almost killed me since I already had been to the top of the first (and wrong) tower . From the first check point on, we were being followed--for the most part--but at every checkpoint we extended our lead by “leapfrogging” each other. It was funny to watch when we split up before the checkpoints to see which teammate the pack would follow. At the bell tower Chrissy went straight and I went left--but to stay within 50m I went to the middle of the golf fairway and laid down--having to wait till Chrissy got the chip at the CP. There were two or three teams that followed me to the fairway and were surprised to see me stop and lay down! At the obstacles we gained some time over Team "Show Us Your Yubes"--Chris Welsh and Dan Snyder--and headed up toward the checkpoint at the pavilion. I was worried about them the most since if they stayed close throughout the race by following, I knew we would get out sprinted at the end. We were able to grab the chip at the pavilion CP, and by the time Chris/Dan crested the hill we had already cleared the checkpoint. They were following but did not see us get the chip so they continued right past the pavilion following us to the next CP at the floating gazebo. We never saw them again after that--since they had to go back to the pavillion to get that CP. The bonus was that we got to the Kayak first (race directors left one kayak at the 50 meter swim. Racers had the choice of waiting for the kayak--or swimming!) Very nice twist, and after that we were able to sneak into the woods to the final run CP at the RV park without being followed. From there we were on our own.

Bike: The bike was pretty cut and dry on the golf course until the CP at the tee 4 tree--which we missed and ended up at the CP at the hole 5 "building" first. So we had to backtrack back to 4. After clearing the golf course, the CP at the "Gazebo" was tricky since we went to the one visible on the golf course to left of the gas line marker first. Then looking at the mileage and seeing that we were headed for trails afterward I knew it was the “snack shop” gazebo. From there I did not know where the CP at the Trillium Trail was, but figured it had to be down the hill--so that is where we went. Once on the Orange Loop/Aspen Trail it was pretty clear until we hit the CP at the "four way trail interesection" in the field. Entering the field we stayed on the right until I saw the “NO” signs. At the “NO” signs (placed by race directors to keep racers off of these trails--however, this was mistakenly omitted from the pre-race talk) there was a trail straight ahead which we took down the hill which ended in a briar patch. I did hear some comments that some racers thought the "NO" signs were for other people and not race related. To avoid this you might want to put Grass Roots Racing Logo on the signs (great idea!!). But in general if I see a “NO” sign I tend to not go past it!. Backtracking back up the hill we found the other trail to the left and from there the signs and trail marking were easy to follow to the ski slope. The "NO" Signs and arrows were just enough to keep us on the path. From there it was just getting to the check points at the Adventure Center sundial, Grouse Glen, and Arden Estate. After Arden Estate we caught the golf cart path at the waterfall--hole 5 fairway--and rode back to the Wildside via cartpaths. Surprisingly we ran into many bikers still on the golf cart paths.

The Final Leg/End: The two bearing checkpoints were a nice twist. The Russian composer spelling bee was fun but required too much thinking after running/biking. (Tchaikovsky had to be correctly spelled using the letters collected at the CP's visited during the Run portions of the race. Clues were placed at the top of the climbing wall in the "Wildside" to help those that were stumped) At my age I’m better at 70’s or early 80’s rock……….

Thanks again:
John Ralston--Team BLAZE