The time challenge race, 3.5 hours to get as many checkpoints (CP) as possible. From Belvoir Activity Center we had to find our way to the starting line at Shaw’s Bridge. There we had to decide to either do the run section or bike section first. We Choose the bike section and got handed an egg (NOT hard boiled), which had to be handed over unscathed at CP40. Our little bundle of joy, Eggy, went into Mama Caroline’s pouch wrapped up in a waterproof jacket.

Off we started, burning rubber along the towpath to keep up with the lads. We didn’t even notice that we had passed the first 3 CP’s when we landed at CP40. Ivan took note of our due care and attention to little Eggy, which was then tossed aside into the bin. This was no time for tears, it was off to the next CP around Lady Dixon Park, stopping for the Frisbee throwing, and then in through the forest for a bit of MTB and a few more CP’s to be had.

The Water Leaking Pipe and Go-Karting were back for this race. The rolling down a hill and spacing hopping around the playground were new challenges for us, but with grace and vigor we attacked these challenges head on, landing in rose bushes and unable to walk straight, luckily we wore our cycling helmets so didn’t cause too much damage.

On cycling back to the kayaking stage we stopped to get the 3 CP’s missed, which meant doing the changing of the tyre challenge, we’ve had plenty of practice, so this was a doodle.

Two hours in and we started the kayaking stage, 4 CP’s on route to the Weir, what a struggle, with the current very strong just before we reached the fourth CP, it was time to get out of the kayak’s at walk the rest, well, there was not much point in going from the left bank to the right bank and back again without even moving a millimeter forward.

On completing the kayak stage we had only a half hour left. This left time for the special task. And what fun we had, sitting in a rubber ring going down rapids, a fantastic way to end our race.

With the time limit nearing the 3.5 hours we cycled back to the Belvoir Activity Center for the last task of 20 step-ups on the gym Step equipment.

On munching down the burgers and buns it was time for a slideshow of the past races, then the awards were handed out. Spider Pigs came FIRST in the all female category, yippee. We were also awarded a trophy for endeavor, but if it wasn’t for Ivan, Steve, Shirley and Joan there would have been no such races for us to undertake.

Big thanks from Spider Pigs to CCAR. It is hard to put into writing how grateful we are for the encouragement and support we received from all at CCAR, the marshals and the other racers.

So, thank you for everything.

Spider Pigs

Caroline Donaghy, Lisa Cassley