Leg 1: Downtown Jaunt (18km)

Ready to start

We had looked at the course overview but didn’t know the details, especially the early KMs to get out of town, so we tucked in near the back and went with the flow.

The first km runs through the town and the energy was great with lots of people out cheering and supporting.

Start line nerves melted away as we got going and set off on the adventure. We were quickly on the road out of town and able to admire the surrounding mountains. Not having my bearings, I tried to guess which three would be the main peaks of the course. Ignorance is bliss!

Start line crowds (Photo: Tony M)

The weather was cool and damp, the atmosphere was chatty and everyone seemed upbeat and relaxed. It helped that the rain had ended overnight with only some light showers forecast later. Then we turned onto the trail and got our first taste of the mud.

© Raven Eye Photography 

I wanted to keep my feet as dry as possible on the first stage, knowing it was going to be a long day and trying to avoid shoe/sock changes that would cost time at the transition area. Most people had the same idea, and being near the back we were able to see how other runners navigated the course. This was mainly single track without much room to pass, and lots of ankle to knee deep puddles that hid shoe-stealing mud.

Sticky mud (Photo: Tony M) 

We had hoped to finish the first leg in 2 hours, but it was closer to 2h30 by the time we left the transition area. We had stayed relatively dry and still had plenty of energy. The warm up was over.