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Head to Head:
Hi Tec Adventure Race Series VS.
Toyota Tundra Adventure
Team Challenge
By Bryan Goble/Team Fortitude
On a late weekend of June, the state of Georgia was privileged enough
to have two of the nation's premier sprint adventure races roll into
town, the Toyota Tundra Adventure Team Challenge on the outskirts of
Augusta and the Hi Tec Atlanta Adventure Race in Winder. Conflicted
about which one of the two to participate in, I made the simple decision
to enter both and put each race, and myself, to the test. See which
triumphed in my head-to-head comparison.
Pre-Race:
Toyota Tundra ATC: Cheap entry and simple registration either on-site
or online.
Hi-Tech AR: Better register early because the race is almost guaranteed
to be sold out every year.
Judges pick: Toyota Tundra ATC
Schwag:
Toyota Tundra ATC:
Hi-Tech AR:
Judges pick: Toyota Tundra ATC
Staff
Toyota Tundra ATC: Travelling staff was friendly and approachable.
Many course volunteers did not have adequate information to instruct
racers on course rules, leading to a controversy in a few divisions.
Hi-Tech AR:
Judges pick: Hi Tec AR
The Competition
TTATC- The TTATC is unique because it offers participant to race solo
as well as the 3-person standard divisions. This gives entrants a lot
more independence when considering registering.
Altogether, the TTATC attracted 60-70 racers.
HTAR- Over 1,000 racers on 300+ teams descend upon Fort Yargo every
single year, so you're guaranteed to be competing with some pretty
fit folks. If you're a very serious competitor, set your sights on
the elite teams.
Judges Pick: HTAR
The Course
Toyota Tundra ATC: 3 mi road run, 1.5 mi kayak, 2 mi run (with bound
hands), 6 mi MTB loop (2 loops), 1 mi run, 1.5 mi kayak (with canoe
paddles), 6 special tests.
As a nice surprise, the course was not disclosed prior to the start
and instead competitors were to be told throughout the race. The race
began with a lackluster 3 mile loop run on paved park roads. Upon returning
to the start/transition area, competitors picked up kayak gear and
headed out onto Thurmond Lake for a 1.5 mile kayak paddle around a
number of buoys to a different take out point. At the take out, team
members hands were bound together at their wrists for a 2 mile trail
run back to the transition area. Along the way, there was a brief 50
foot military crawl that tested the 3 person teams coordination. After
removing their wrist shackles and transitioning to mountain bikes,
competitors rode a 6 mile easy-to-medium grade MTB trail for two loops.
The trail contained many challenging dips & switchbacks, but wasn't
anything a novice rider couldn't handle. After completing the bike
section, racers returned to the transition area and were instructed
to locate their kayaks by returning to the previous boat take out location
on an unspecified route. Some teams chose to bushwhack in a direct
line to the boat area while others decided to follow the paved park
roads. Once they located the boats, racers were instructed to head
back with their boats to the original put-in... with canoe paddles.
3 person teams were provided 2 canoe paddles while solo competitors
were given one. Once on the open water, teams encountered a stiff head
wind which brought our forward progress to a near crawl. At the end
of the paddle leg, participants faced 5 special tests including a 30
foot vertical cargo net climb, a 20 foot horizontal rope ladder traverse,
a 15 foot balance beam, and were required to lift & stack 3 truck
tires over a 10 foot pole and remove them. Then it was just a short
trot over to the finish line, fame, fortune, and a well deserved break.
Hi Tec AR: 1 mi orienteering run, 6 mi bike loop (with hike-a-bike),
1.5 mi paddle loop, 6 mi run, 6 mi bike (same loop), and 6 special
tests.
Judges Pick: HTAR
Organization
Toyota Tundra ATC:
Hi Tec AR: While attracting 1000 competitors speaks volumes for a race,
it also creates overcrowding problems on the course if not carefully
designed. Stay in front of the pack and you won't be affected too badly
but otherwise, expect to encounter lengthy log jams at special tests,
creek crossings, etc. I will note that the staff is very proactive
about quickly identifying these problems and fixing them as best as
they can throughout the race.
Judges pick: Hi-Tech AR
Post-Race
Toyota Tundra ATC
Hi-Tech AR:
Judges pick: Toss Up
The Podium
Hi-Tech AR
While the Toyota Tundra ATC is a worthy adversary for the Hi Tec in
the sprint market, it has a long way to go to be considered a threat.
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