First Monster Challenge
12th September 2009
A second team ("the Backhouse Jones Hopefuls") also entered the event this year not only to experience the challenge for themselves but to see if the tales of trial and tribulation were to be believed or not. There was also an element of healthy competition in their decision to enter!
Members of the Originals team included Director Jonathon Backhouse and other solicitors of the firm. The Hopefuls consisted of younger trainee solicitors.
The event entailed gruelling running and cycling stages, each discipline being split into four sections. A massive 278 teams entered the event this year - approximately 100 more than last year. As both teams registered the day before the event, it was readily apparent that the calibre of entrants had significantly improved since last year. Both teams tried to hide any outward signs of nerves although a few beads of sweat did appear on some foreheads!
On the day of the event, the sun was shining and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. There was even a comfortable level of breeze to keep the competitors cool and the midges at bay.
At 6.30am the bleary-eyed teams gathered at the starting point. They wished the first runners good luck before boarding the buses to travel to their running start points.
At this point, the Hopefuls were still talking a good game and seemed optimistic that they would pose a serious threat to the Originals.
When the clock struck 7am, the starting pistol was fired and the first runners were off. The 122km route took competitors around Loch Ness and pushed them to their limits as they ran up hill and down dale, off road and on road. Even though parts of the route were extremely challenging, tiring (and in some instances involved blood, sweat and tears) the breathtaking views of the Loch and the surrounding area more than made up for it.
At the end of each stage, there was a check point for teams to hand over to the next team member. After wishing their team mates well, many competitors then collapsed in a heap on the floor in desperate need of oxygen!
As the event unfolded, team members could check their team's progress on the monitors provided at the transition points. The Originals took great delight in establishing that at the conclusion of the running stages they were approximately 60 minutes ahead of the Hopefuls. Needless to say, this information was quickly relayed to the Hopefuls.
Throughout the cycling stages of the event, which comprised 77km, the Originals continued to increase their margin on the Hopefuls, whilst climbing up the leader board generally.
The Originals finished the event in a very respectable 7 hours and 14 minutes (60th position). They even managed to beat last year's time. The Hopefuls also successfully completed the event, taking just under 8 hours and 46 minutes. The Originals naturally took great delight in pointing out that not only had they finished the event 90 minutes faster than the Hopefuls, but their average age was 35 years compared to the Hopeful's of 25.5 years.
Both teams thoroughly enjoyed the event and were extremely impressed not only by the slick level of organisation involved but also the camaraderie amongst teams.
Unsurprisingly, competitive banter between the two teams has started once again as talk of competing in the event next year begins. It will be interesting to see what happens......
For all hopefuls out there, please take note: if you are going to talk the talk, make sure you can walk the walk!
