After a rather slow start to 2010, the Addicts have been working hard at increasing their speed as they gear up for the exciting line up of races on both the national and international AR calendars. December holidays saw the addicts drifting lazily down the Orange River, exploring the forests of the garden route and of course paddling the open seas in search of that elusive “big one.”
With the arrival of January and what is to be an action packed 2010, the team has started to get more streamlined – and by this I mean not only around the middle – with the decision to race only one team, consisting of Graham “Tweet” Bird, Tatum” Hobbit” Prins, Andre “Gie?man” Gie and Hanno ”Smelly” Smit.
WARTRAIL 19
th– 21st March 2010On the racing front, first up for the Addicts was the Wartrail. Set in the picturesque North Eastern Cape, this 3 day event tested the mind, body and soul as competitors took on the 65km trail run through the Southern Witteberg, 135km cycle along the Tele River and Lesotho border to the banks of the mighty Orange River and finally paddling its brown swirling waters to Aliwal North, some 60km downstream. This event, organised by Bloemfontein based Adrian Saffy, was every bit as challenging, enjoyable and brilliantly organized as years past. Well done to the Addicts as they came out tops with Andre “Gie?man” Gie taking top honours in the men’s race and Tatum “Hobbit” Prins in the ladies race.
AUSTRALIA XPD 17
th– 28th May 2010 / 700kmThe Addicts will soon be taking to the sky as they travel to North Eastern Australia with the Tropical city Cairns as their ultimate destination. The race, a 700km expedition style event which takes place in the second half of May, promises to take teams through the most beautiful terrain that Queensland has to offer.
This race is the perfect event to get the Addicts sharp for the 500km Adventure Racing World Champs that will be staged in Spain later this year…their ultimate goal.
KNYSNA FESTIVAL
? July 2010The World Cup will certainly be a good excuse for some recovery time after XPD, with feet up and a plate of McCain oven baked chips close at hand, the addicts will have all they need to ensure that come July and the Knysna Oyster Festival, they are ready to perform at full throttle. There is certainly no shortage of fun to be had at this annual sports festival. The first weekend kicks off with a 80km mountain bike race followed by the not so soft 13km featherbed trail run, the Xterra at the Pezula field of dreams, the ever popular forest marathon and just when the upper body starts to feel left out, the waterfront rush will certainly get the blood going and if you’re looking for something a little less heart stopping, there is even a canoe race with which to end off the weeks festivities – oh, and did I mention the fabulous social engagements?
The events are endless and the Addicts will be there! Come and join in the fun.
OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS… August 2010
August is set to be one of the busiest months on the calendar. There is something for all the Addicts to enjoy. Addicts Graham “Tweet” Bird and Tatum “Hobbit” Prins are going to take tackle the 80km Puffer running event while Hanno “Smelly” Smit will bike the Transbaviaans ? 235km to be completed in 24hrs. That’s not all, the addicts will also enjoy a bit of white water and sprint race action at the Palmiet River Festival.
So with all this to choose from, the Addicts are going to be very busy indeed!
ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPS / 500km BIMBACHE EXTREME 2010
? OctoberThe Addicts’ big goal for the year! This year the AR World Championships will be held in Spain at the Bimbache Xtreme. The event is to be held in the drier inland regions of the country starting in Avila and finishing in Salamanca. It will be the main focus for the Addicts this year as last year they had a very commendable top 5 finish in the Bimbache, despite a last minute change to the team line up. The Addicts will have to navigate over 500km’s while they paddle, mountain bike, trek, in line skate and much much more. The lineup will include all the top teams from around the world as they race their guts out to see who will be the 2010 World Champion.
EDEN DUO
? October 2010October brings along the annual Merrel Eden Duo organized by Jan Heenop. This is a great race for novices and old salts alike with easy navigation and a single day multi stage format, taking competitors through some of the most beautiful terrain the Garden Route has to offer. Last year saw a great tussle amongst the McCain members, this year promises to be no different!
The year will be rounded off with the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge in Plett. This two day event in aid of charity has something for everyone, swimming events, a paddle, beach run, mtb and kids duathlon. With so many different events to choose from, the Addicts will certainly be kept out of mischief for at least some of the time…and I didn’t even begin to mention all the mountain bike, trail running and paddling races the Addicts will do for training…phew…the life of an Adventure Addict.
Let the fun begin!
The McCain Adventure Addicts wish to thank the following team sponsors who support our adventurous lifestyles:
McCain ? For supporting our active lifestyles
Capestorm ? For supplying the apparel to get us comfortably through the race
PVM ? For providing us with nutritional products to keep us going
Salomon ? For the great footwear that gets us through the long trekking sections
Black Diamond ? For Icon and Cosmo head torches that lit our way brilliantly
Giant Bicycles ? For providing the team with exceptional Anthem MTB’s
Island Tribe ? For protecting us from the harsh African sun
Squirt ? For keeping our Bikes lubed and operating smoothly!