It was an endurance event with an added challenge for competitors at Tri-Adventure's first Trail and Sprint event of the year on Sunday January 20, 2013.
Heavy snow made it tough even getting to the start line in Swinley Forest, Camberley, Surrey, but once they'd arrived tough racers had to tackle snow lying 3 inches deep (and rising!) to make it round the 12k race on foot and by bike.
Safety was critical. Dave Rollins (GB orienteering coach) and the friendly Tri-Adventure team were on hand to offer advice and strategy tips to the many first timers who’d come along, with heavy emphasis on health and safety issues.
Racers were advised on how to travel safely in the snow, carry extra clothing and mobile phones. Gil Cramer from F.I.T Concepts ran a pre-event warm-up session to ensure everyone was properly stretched and limber.
GB orienteering coach, Dave Rollins, provided entrants with professional advice for battling the terrain and how to best read their maps in the snowy blitz.
Rollins said, 'Every layer of clothing was thrown on before they headed off on the bike. The already cold conditions would be magnified by the wind chill so extra layers were essential.'
Many runners took no chances in the snow, as they decided to change from running to pedalling at a much steadier pace.
He added, 'Racers left it very late to transition onto the bike, sensibly planning to do the majority of the race on foot which is a little more predictable than the bike in snowy conditions.'
The winter weather did little to hold back the numerous winners who crossed the line before the race’s two-hour time limit.
Female winners included: Top 3 Female Sprint Winners: 1st Carol Yarrow, 2nd Carys Holloway, 3rd Julie Jefferies; and Female Trail Winner Georgina Little.
Tri-adventure's next Trail and Sprint will be held on February 17, 2013 at Swinley Forest
