BriTri Stamina Off Road XC/MTB Navigation Event - Race Report

The inaugural Brighton Tri Club Stamina Park run-bike-run event got off to a flying start this morning.  Around 24 club members registered before being paired up by event director Kev.  Gazebos, registration tables, high viz jackets and cones were in abundance. 

Pre race bike checks were taking place all over the car park and an atmosphere of healthy competition grew rapidly.  By the race briefing the teams were ready and nervous anticipation was kicking in.

Each team was given a series of photos to follow to navigate the c.3.2km undulating running course around the park and were then set off at 2 minute intervals.  Upon their return to the HQ they were given an OS map and a list of grid references where a card with a specific photo of a Brighton landmark had been placed.  Each grid reference was worth a different number of points and the teams had 2 hours max to jump on their mountain bikes and gain as many points as possible and before heading back to the HQ, parking their bikes in transition and going out on to the run course for a final lap. 

The run course was marshalled by four stirling marshals - Russ, Declan, Shona Honey and Paul, who stood out in the cold, forever with smiling faces and helpful comments, for hours and never complained!  As each team returned to the HQ they were met by Kev and Isobel, plus a team of Hancock, Chase and Honey children offering all sorts of refreshments, hot tea and coffee and a huge pat on the back.  

It was a fabulous event and throughly enjoyable so a massive thank you to all those involved in the organisation and in particular to the Club's Event Officer, Kevin Hancock, for making it such a success.

So, to the winning team; Mark Lewis and Elle Breeds amassed a quite simply excessive number of points ;-)  Clearly having the right bike fit helps.  Well done to them both.  A great start to 2014!

More will no doubt be on the forum so if you want race reports, that's where to find them! We can't wait for the next club event now...

More photos are available on the Club's Facebook Page