On April 26, 2008 Teamhalfwaythere.com competed in the 2008 Yough Extreme. A 12 hour adventure race organized by American Adventure Sports, the Yough Extreme included 45-50 miles of biking, running/trekking, and whitewater paddling. The race included a fair amount of running/trekking, with approximately 24 miles and 12,000 feet of elevation change on foot. Of those 24 miles, at least one team member was pushing a bike for 12. The course was designed in a semi-Rogaine format, making the race challenging in terms of both speed and strategy. All teams were required to hit the first six CP’s in sequential order. CP7, an optional CP, included a 100 foot rappel from a foot bridge, which accounted for 15 points.  After completing the rappel, teams went directly to CP8 where they would be met by their bikes for the beginning of the Rogaine format. From CP8, teams worked against the clock to obtain CP’s 9-15, all weighted differently in terms of points. All teams were required to return to the race start by 1800; teams lost one point for each minute they were late.

We found the semi-Rogaine format to be challenging and exciting. The first portion of the race (CP’s 1- 7) tested the speed of all teams involved. The inherit nature of the race required teams to reach CP8 with enough time remaining to grab a few additional strategic, high point value CP’s, then make it back to the race start before the time limit. TWTH reached CP8 with 90 minutes time remaining in the race. After a quick evaluation of the terrain, distance between points, and condition of each team member, we decided to head straight back to the start point. We reached the start point in 10^th place for the three person coed division. Although not reaching the goal we set out to accomplish in the race – qualify for Nationals – we away took key learning points from the race and look forward to applying them to future races.       

First, and perhaps of the most beneficial learning point, was the ‘key’ to efficiency in transition areas (TAs). The key is quite simple: organization. The maps and checkpoint coordinates for the race were issued to the teams at race check-in the night before the race. This allowed TWHT to spend some time outlining when and where we would need each piece of race gear for the next day. This planning – and subsequent organization and pre-setting of race gear – proved to be the secret to efficient TA’s. Thanks to one of our generous sponsors, Land Rover Alexandria, THWT had the luxury of laying out all their gear in the back of a Land Rover LR3. The gear was organized by discipline (i.e. biking, running/trekking, paddling, etc) and individual, and then stowed in separate small ‘go-bags.’ Included in the go-bag was food and drink needed for the next stage, so when we came into each TA, team members grabbed the bag needed for the next section(s) and kept moving. This organizational method allowed THWT to achieve TA times of 3 minutes (shortest) and 7 minutes (longest). We are convinced that the pre-setting of the gear eliminated confusion and allowed each team member to focus on moving to the next stage of the race.

A second learning point we came away with was towing. We found that the key to a viable towing system is latex (surgical) tubing. The latex tubing allowed for a relaxed stretch, which gave the towee the flexibility, comfort, and safety to move at an equal pace as the tower, without the feeling of being forcefully pulled across flats or up a mountain. The towing system for the bike included a ten foot piece of surgical tubing inserted into a 4 foot long piece of ¾ inch PVC pipe. The pipe was then installed at a 35-40 degree upward angle (using hose clamps) onto the rear rack system of the bike. The 35-40 degree angle and 3-4 foot long pipe provided the right angle for the towee to grab the tubing and provided enough clearance so the tubing did not become wrapped in the rear wheel of the mtb. Initially, we thought the towing system could be used for biking. But as the race unfolded, we found the bike towing system could be used for much more.

Our first TA (CP3) required each team to pick up two bikes and bring them to CP4. With three person coed teams, this required one team member to ascend CP4 on foot. After a quick analysis of team strengths, we decided to put Brian on foot and Mike and Andi on bikes. At this point we quickly realized we could further capitalize on our team strengths (Mike – bike and Brian – run) by hooking Brian onto the bike towing system as Mike biked. The system was extremely efficient on flats and proved to work very well on moderate grade up hills. Brian saved energy while running and the team moved quicker than if Brian was to run without assistance. Overall, we found the rubber latex tubing to be an indispensable tool for towing – both for bike and foot. The latex tubing was easily reconfigured for foot movements by attaching the tubing to the tower’s back pack with a light weight d-ring. The importance of latex tubing cannot be overemphasized in a towing system. The tubing is flexible, light weight, and has a number of uses outside of towing in a race. We learned that each team member should be configured for and be ready for towing – both as the tower and towee. You never know when the strongest member of the team will fall sick and require a little assistance.      

A special thanks to our sponsors – thanks for your assistance this season, we could not do it without you. Fellow teams and racers, thanks for racing with Team Halfway There. And, thanks to Doug Crytzer and the crew at American Adventure Sports for putting on an incredible race – we look forward to racing in the Lionheart.

Saturday, April 26th
12 Hour Yough Xtreme Adventure Race GFK Adventure Racing teammates Jen Schober, Patrick Hilbert and Paul Morris participated in the premier 3 person coed division of the 12 Hour Yough Xtreme Adventure Race in Ohiopyle, PA. Given the race was a USARA Nationals Qualifier it attracted an extremely talented and highly experienced field of competitors which consisted of the biggest and brightest stars in the sport of PrimalQuest fame. This year's Yough Xtreme called on competitors to test their mettle with:

25+ miles of mountain biking,
20 miles of treking/orienteering,
9 mile kayak on the Middle Yough river,
175' rappel off of the Historic railroad tressel & a river swim.

After more than 10 hours of racing, Team GFK found themselves finishing with the leaders, although admittedly the leaders managed to find more checkpoints. Final standings placed Team GFK 28th out of 47 overall. This was a tremendous result for up and coming Team GFK which proved it belongs on the same race course with a field full of elite, world class adventure racers. Race Director Doug Crytzer puts on a fantastic event that is incredibly challenging and pushes your physical and mental limits while taking in some fantastic scenery and for that reason Team GFK will definitely be back next year.

Paul
http://www.gfkracing.com