Calleva Race pre-run report and race updates

This weekend Brian and Robin did the expert course vetting in real racing conditions with real maps, passports and course description. Here are some recommendations they prepared for you:

Be ready to decide whether you want to spend more time trekking/orienteering or paddling. You may want to think strategically what will get you the most points. It may vary by team depending on your strengths. Be sure to consider river current and air temperature.

Because there are more than enough points don't spend too much time searching for one point. If you can't find it move on and start working on the next point.

Brush is not as bad as years past but I was glad my legs were covered at times. Not as much Poison Ivy but lots of Stinging Nettle.

Trails are almost always faster than bushwhacking even it means going out of your way a little. Try to maximize your time on trails. The forest can be thick. Sometimes it is clear though.

Lots of creek crossings, but if it’s as hot as the vetting then you will appreciate being able to cool down in the creeks so much.

Awesome single track riding. Wish there was more.

Biking is fairly straight forward but you still want to be aware of where you are on the map so you don't accidentally get lost.

Make sure to plan ahead so that you finish on time.

My general impression was that there would be a lot of routes for people to travel, a lot of decisions to be made early on about what to skip, and people will be crisscrossing each other all day.

The stinging nettle was something, I was very uncomfortable on Sunday night and I think it was from not wearing pants on that last O course. (Which was 100% my choice/mistake, I know!)

A few notes from the race director:
Sport category racers, you will have 2-3 miles of simple single track mountain biking. That is in addition to paved and gravel road biking. Please be ready! Expert racers will ride about 20 miles, mostly on single track. The longest time Expert and Sport racers will spend will be trekking and navigating several o-courses. If you like to get lost your total trekking (running) distance could approach 20+ miles for Experts and 10-15 miles for Sport. If you don’t feel confident navigating in the forest, you can skip many land check points and try your paddling skills instead. Navigation on the water is easier, but attempting to collect all paddling check points might increase your paddling distance by 3-5 miles. The major difference of this year’s race compared to all previous years: The Expert course is very long and is impossible to clear in 10 hours (we estimate 12 hours should be enough for a very strong team). You will have to make strategic decisions what to skip, especially at the early stages of the race, when you still have choices and are not running against the cut-off time. Sport category, your course is significantly shorter and some strong (Expert level) teams might be able to collect all check points. For teams that have never raced Calleva Race before, here is a link to last year’s maps, passports and rules of travel. This year the race will be in the same format, but in different location.

Attention Expert category SOLO racers. It is easier to finish the race as a team. Some of you may want to join and create a team. If so, send us an email about yourself and your skills and we will send it to all other solo racers.

T-shirt order will go out in a few days, please update your sizes. Just send us an email to update.

As usual, we will post some photos and maybe even videos from this year’s course on our Facebook page. “Like” us, if you want to receive this inside information!

The race is less than one month away. See you August 4th.