331 teams of 3 battled through Grizedale Forest Park on Sunday 21 March for the Helly Hansen challenge.

The race involved a 25k cycle, 12k run and 1.5k kayak across Lake Coniston. In case challengers weren’t tired at the end of the race they had to perform three challenges – walk the boards, cargo nets and over the ramp before crossing the finish line all team members together!

On the day the weather initially was foggy and the start time was delayed for half an hour. The fog lifted and the sun shone briefly before it became dull and overcast, turning to rain later in the day. The lake was very cold, choppy and misty. The terrain in Grizedale is gruelling, uphill for miles, muddy, wet and rocky. There may have been spectacular views at the top but nobody noticed, it was head down and carry on. One of the organisers of the event a silver medal Olympian said “Grizedale has the toughest terrain of all our courses. It is a real test of mental strength to complete it.”

The teams representing Cork Griffiths were:–

SPV’s 277

• Paul Griffiths (MD Cork Griffiths)
• Mark Healey (Director, Volaw Trust Company, Jersey, www.volaw.com )
• Sam Healey.

The Mad Hatters 275

• Sarah Ashworth (Business Development Manager, Cork Griffiths)
• David Ramsbottom (Director, EK Architects, www.ekarchitects.com )
• Ian Hosfield (Director, TW Bracher & CO, www.tw-bracher.co.uk )

The SPV’s got off to a very good start with a very slick change over from the initial 2.5k run to getting on to the bikes for the 25k cycle. Still in the lead at the end of the cycle. The Mad Hatters caught up and overtook on the uphill 5k race to the lakeside. Previous kayak experience by Ian meant this section was great for the Mad Hatters – the SPV’s struggled here, nearly capsizing and getting soaked by a couple of waves over the top of them. The final 4.5k back to the ‘tasks’ was very tough.
The final three challenges were great fun but hard when you are very tired.

David commented that Sarah fell over the ‘ramp’ like “a sack of spuds” and she has the bruises to show for it!

The winners were the Mad Hatters by 3hrs 58 mins coming in at position202. The SPV’s not far behind in 4hr 4mins and position 217.

The Mad Hatters are donating to Sport relief  (www.sportrelief.com ) and the SPV’s are donating to the British Heart Foundation (www.bhf.org.uk) and Clic Sargent (http://www.clicsargent.co.uk/Home ) raising money for children with cancer.