We’re on the final leg here in Primal Quest, and the locals are building into a frenzy.  Everyone wants to know the race results – especially since South Dakota is expected to finish shortly.  One woman lost her internet connection and couldn’t stand the suspense, so she drove straight to race Headquarters in the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn – from Sturgis!  Interest in the race has peaked in the local community, to a level unseen in any other Primal Quest. The camaraderie is not limited to the locals — teams are regularly seen traveling together, helping each other out, and enjoying each other’s company. Team InnerStrength waited approximately 5 minutes as Kickapoo Scouts got ready, just so the friendly teams could travel together.

So here’s where it stands: in the Adventure Category (those teams that did not complete the entire course), South Dakota, Big City Mountaineers/Team Spanos, Five-Ten/NUMA, SOAR/Native Eyewear, InnerStrength, and Patent Docs are expected in overnight.  The last full-course team, TecnuExtreme/ StaphASeptic is making their way in as well. Team SCAAR had been making slow progress across the Badlands, and race officials were forced to return them to the Checkpoint in Scenic, SD, so they could proceed on their bikes to the finish.

Team Kickapoo Scouts Head out on the Final Leg

Although many of the finishers who came in on the shortened course wish they had had a crack at the Badlands, the feeling for those still out there is that they are glad to be headed home. “Beer, Food, a Shower, and Bed” are the objects on everyone’s minds.  Many racers felt the turning point for the race was the long, arduous Timondo Prairie Paddle.  The paddle was actually shortened due to low water levels, but racers still had to push and pull their kayaks over some sandy beaches and rocky shallows.  While some younger members complained that it was the hardest paddle they’ve ever done, an older crusty adventure racer admonished them to “put that in your pain locker” – a reference to the character-building nature of difficult experiences.

Not everyone minded the paddle though, Tracy (the Scot) from Patent Docs said with her usual Scottish chipper nature that she didn’t quite mind it – her feel felt great afterwards!    But she agrees that she doesn’t exactly want to spend another night huddled under a space blanket trying to stay warm. It’s the home stretch, the horses smell the hay of the barn, and they’re heading back with haste.  Much of the field will arrive tonight and throughout the early morning hours. 

Stay tuned for continued adventure…

Team Subaru Canada crossed the finish line just as the sun came up

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm and is filed under Primal Quest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.