bush whack, mountain biking, paddling and climbing
Want a fitness challenge? Try the fourth annual Adventure Race on Saturday, May 9 in Danforth.
The race, hosted by the East Grand School Outdoor Education students, is an event coupling adults and teens.
LAST YEAR’S WINNERS – Brothers Abe in the bow and Harvey Brittain maneuver the river during last year’s East Grand Adventure Race. The pair took top honors. Harvey attends college in Anchorage, Alaska where he is studying geology. This summer, he will be putting to good use the skills he learned while at East Grand. Harvey will also be guiding canoe trips for a summer campout in Anchorage. Abe is a junior this year at East Grand. The race is not beyond the reach of those who are in reasonably good physical condition. For more info contact race coordinator Dave Conley at 448-2743 or visit the Maine Wilderness Guides Organization Web site www.mwgo.org and click on events calendar to download a PDF of race information.
There are four parts to the race—fisrt, a bush whack, which is approximately 1.5 miles off the trail and participants will complete a compass trek; second, is mountain biking for about seven miles on woods roads and trails; third, canoeing for approximately seven miles on mostly flat water, and finishing with an optional climbing wall challenge back in the gymnasium with an easy and difficult route to choose.
New this year is an adult division. Adults, along with all interested high school students within Maine or out-of-state in grades 9-12 may enter, with teams consisting of two people. Pairs can be guys, girls or mixed.
Check-in will be from 8:30-9 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at East Grand High School. Cost is $30 per high school and $40 per adult team. The price includes lunch, adventure race T-shirt and trophies to the top three finishing pairs. All proceeds will benefit the East Grand Outdoor Education program.
The race will also have a traveling trophy to be presented to the winning high school team to keep at their school for the year.
Finishing high school pairs have a chance to win $450 in prizes. First place, two $100 gift certificates to Ski Rack Sports of Bangor; second, two $75 gift certificates to Epic Sports of Bangor; and third, two $50 gift certificates to Epic Sports of Bangor.
If there are three or more high school girl entries, organizers will supply prizes for a girls’ division.
While the race will be physically challenging, it is not beyond the reach of those who are in reasonably good physical condition. Organizers highly recommend a routine of training, well before the race that includes biking, jogging/running and canoeing. There will be five minutes between each element to take a short break, eat a snack, and take a drink before heading out on the next leg of the race.
Equipment and clothing needed by participants include: Bikes must be a Mountain bike (any style of mountain bike and helmets are required; canoes should be general recreation. In general ABS and polyethylene canoes such as Old Town Discovery Series 169 and 174. Two proper fitting type III PFDs and these must be worn during the race. At least three paddles (one being a spare) and a baler. Optional is a farmer john style wetsuit in case of cold, rainy weather or if a canoe upsets; compass should be one with lanyard that includes a base plate with direction of travel arrow and students should have the appropriate clothing and footwear for weather conditions. Leaders will be available at checkpoints to collect or shed a layer of clothing or provide extra clothing to students. Clothing should be of synthetic materials (fleece and polypropylene) used with an outer shell such as a wind breaker. Participants may want to place a spare set of clothing in the canoe in a waterproof bag to change into in the event of an upset canoe.
If more information is needed, equipment needs to be rented/borrowed or if participants need overnight accommodations, call Conley at 207-448-2260, 207-448-2743 or e-mail dconley61@yahoo.com. Race details can be seen by visiting Maine Wilderness Guides Organization Web site www.mwgo.org.
