The eagerly anticipated second edition of the Kinetic Full Moon Adventure race took place this weekend. With the weather warming up after a long winter, the hibernation period was over for the Red Ants as they joined a swarm of colourful adventurers to race under the moonlight.
The field of competitors included some of the most experienced adventurers as well as many new faces who were to set off in windy conditions along the Vaal dam for a 12km paddle as the first leg. The heat was on from the start with Team Cyanosis, the male pair of Team Hawkstone and the Red Ants sharing waves to break away to the first check point. Team Hawkstone put in a good push to exit the water first and head off on a short 5km run/hike which split the teams up seeing the Ants make it out of transition first.
The third leg was a longish 40km + mountain bike on wide open dirt roads with enough corrugations to shake up the kidneys. Team Cyanosis put the hammer down and made good time into the following 10km technical hike which proved to be a strategic move as they completed the loop in time to watch the sun go down. The hike became a thorny “bundu-bash” into the night for pursuing teams; however team members could look forward to a welcome mug of hot chocolate from the organisers on completion of the hike…that is enough to keep anyone going.
The 45km + mountain bike stretch that followed was very straight forward and had teams averaging high speeds down to the fifth transition on the shores of the Vaal dam Marina yacht club. Inquisitive locals were out to cheer on and fuel up the weary racers as they set off into a beautiful moonlit night on a glassy Vaal dam. Teams paddled to UJ Island for a quick 5km island orienteering task over tricky terrain and dodging spring hares before the final 3km paddle to the finish at the very welcoming Bayshore Marina.
Team Cyanosis took race honours in a time of 9hrs 26min for 120km, with the Red Ants cruising home a mere 40min later for second place. Teams finished through the night and into the early hours of the morning, every member with a smile on their face and many war stories to tell. Finishing teams were able to treat themselves to some of the best pizza in town as the very hospitable Bayshore Marina restaurant stayed open through the night to send racers to bed with full tummies. Ah the life of an adventure racer, eat when you can and never turn a good pizza down, no matter what time in the day. Well done to all the teams that took part and finished.
Stephan and Heidi’s Kinetic team together with all their very friendly and helpful staff deserve a double thumbs-up for an amazing event. They are proving that adventure racing is alive and well and accessible to everyone. Thank you for keeping up the spirit, the spirit of adventure.
Author: Ryan Hodierne | Kinetic Full Moon, Vaal Dam. 28 August 2010