Coast to Coast Adventure Race :: 28-31 August 2015

Blackburn Harrier – Helen Leigh – has an almost legendary status in the Club for the Endurance Events that she does, her most famous adventure being part of a five member crew who rowed across the Atlantic to raise awareness and money in order to campaign against  child trafficking. Where there are Hills, Mountains, Rivers and Oceans you will find Helen; And you will also see her wearing the Harriers vest in Cross Country, Fell and Road Races for the Club.

The Coast to Coast Adventure Race follows the principal of C2C founder, Alfred Wainwright in setting off from St Bees Head and finishing in the spectacular Robin Hoods bay. Again in true adventure race style you may find yourself on mountain bikes, kayaking, open water swimming, running and navigating your team from one side of the country to another!

The Coast to Coast Adventure Race event is for solos and mixed teams of three, with two competing at any one time and is self supported event. Each night we will stop in a market town where we will provide showers and a campsite. You will have the chance to enjoy the local food as well as socialise with other racers. Each evening there will be a briefing in a local hall where will award a prize to the fastest up the big hill that day (King of the mountains) and briefing for the following day.

 Full Results HERE

Helen had a fabulous performance to finish 8th overall and 1st Solo Woman home beating the 2nd placed woman by 1 hour and 49min. The Club asked her for her thoughts after such a grueling 4 days and this is what she said “I think relief is the best way to describe my feelings after finishing the Coast to Coast adventure race this weekend. After crashing and limping to the finish in 2013 I was not going to settle for second and went out guns blazing.

The first two days were an epic battle with the wind but I managed to gain an hours lead. Day three was where i thought I may lose a lot of time on the bike so I absolutley smashed it and was only a minute down on the nearest girl and I had a tyre change in transition. The last day I was terrified that something would go wrong on the bike but all went well despite apocalyptic weather and a slight nav error on the run. I had a storming day and finally relaxed and enjoyed the final run around the coast when I knew I had it in the bag. So pleased to come away first female solo with 1hour 30min lead over 2nd. I also ranked 8th overall including the male solos, only getting beaten by one of the teams as well! 27 hours of racing in 4 days. Job done”.

Women’s Solo Results HERE

     

    

    

♦

Not to be left out of the action, a couple of the Club’s Sportshall youngsters – Jaydn Armstrong & Jayden Brammer – traveled to Stockport for the Bank Holiday Open Meeting. The two of them did really well and Ben Armstrong, one of the Club’s Sportshall Coaches said that “Jayden Brammer was 4th overall and Jadyn Armstrong was 7th smashing all 4 pbs in 75m sprint.. vortex ball… 600m.. and Long Jump.”

 ♦