Triangle Adventure Racing Team

9-1-1 Update.  Stay posted to triangle-ar-team.com for further!!

Just to update this original post, just wanted to fill everyone in on the lastest whisperings before they get out anyways.  There are some mumblings, albeit low and far between that the 9-1-1 will return in 2009 as an early season (March) race to fill the niche coming out of winter.  More planning and discussions will take place after the October 4th Gold Nugget Adventure Race and hopes are that this race will fall under the RDU-Trailblazer banner.  In making this move there will hopefully be a “strength in numbers” revitalization for the race.  In the meantime, get off the couch and we’ll see you out at the 2008 Gold Nugget Adventure Race.  http://gnar08.wordpress.com/

From Race Director Bruce Dale:

With mixed feelings, I have decided to pull the plug on the 2008 race.  There are a variety of reasons the most significant of which is job related.  I have been tasked very recently with leading some Home Land Security initiatives that will require extensive travel and training over the next 3-4 months.  The result is simply not enough time and availability to make the event happen again.   After 8 years running, this was a very tough call to make but all the factors pointed toward simply cancelling the event. 

In addition to the above, I have seen a steady decline in race entries especially in 2007 with a decrease of nearly 50%.  The registrations recieved in 2008 are even further behind at this point in time than they were in 2007, these numbers point toward a poor turnout and long term not meeting our cost outlays for insurance, awards, permits, shirts and boat rentals.  Much of this money is paid up front and recouped through entry fees, unfortunately the registrations are so far behind it does not appear that this has a reasonable chance of happening and the race will end up in the financial hole.  In trying to put my finger on it, I can only point to a “been there, done that” reasoning that after 8 years everyone has either done the race repeatedly or is seeking some differant terrain to test their mettle.  It’s been a good run since our small beginning (12 teams) in 2000……….. We’ll see you out on the trails!

I had the chance to take part in a very well presented wilderness med course during the last weekend of May with classes taking part at Pilot Mountain State Park and Lake Crabtree County Park.  I volunteered to lead the hiking section at Pilot Mountain in exchange for sitting through the course for free.  I was suprised at the amount of information presented to include fire starting and even some pretty decent self defense tips.  The climbing section was well done though with so many people I was only able to score one 70ft rappell before retiring back to Raleigh for the day.   Dr. Ellen Smith the instructor was not only knowledgable but was on my heels the entire hike which included some seriously tough run sections.  If you’re gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk and she most certainly did.  Check out her website and if she ever comes back to Raleigh volunteer or sign up for a class, definately a plus. 

www.wildmedmd.com