Discussion: Hey StrongMachine crew, thanks for a great Maine Summer Adventure Race!
in: Adventure Racing; General
Jun 29, 2017 1:49 PM
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I wanted to post a sincere thank you to the Strong Machine organizing team for a great Maine Summer AR this past weekend.
I'm a firm believer that adventure races need not conform to one definition or style, allowing each event and locale to shine in their own ways. This race featured real sea kayaking around the peninsulas and through the bays of mid-coast Maine . . . trekking through the dense forests . . . low-tide coasteering . . . and biking on rolling back-roads. We encountered ospreys and sea otters, but very few people in such a "settled" region of New England. With both a 10-hour and a 3-hour course running simultaneously, the organization rolled with the punches and saw it all through to a successful conclusion. Great job Kate, Cliff, and crew!
My last adventure race was over 5 years ago, in Ecuador 2012, and the Maine Summer AR has convinced me that I've been on the sidelines for too long. With organizations like Strong Machine putting on creative events that really showcase their area, is there a better way to spend a summer weekend?
I know the organizing side of these events can be demanding. For my part, I'd like to send a thank you to the venues and other organizations who let the race move forward. Kate or Cliff, please let me know the contacts I can reach out to and re-inforce how their support of adventure racing has left me and my team with a very favorable impression of the area and how we will surely return to explore the region further at our next vacation opportunity. My teammate came from London, we tricked a spectator into coming out (who quickly became a race volunteer!) from Spain, and this is the sort of organic, authentic, exposure AR can bring to an area that doesn't require magazine ad buys etc.
Thanks again!
Grant & the Untamed Adventure (and the much faster UntamedNE.com racing team) crew
I'm a firm believer that adventure races need not conform to one definition or style, allowing each event and locale to shine in their own ways. This race featured real sea kayaking around the peninsulas and through the bays of mid-coast Maine . . . trekking through the dense forests . . . low-tide coasteering . . . and biking on rolling back-roads. We encountered ospreys and sea otters, but very few people in such a "settled" region of New England. With both a 10-hour and a 3-hour course running simultaneously, the organization rolled with the punches and saw it all through to a successful conclusion. Great job Kate, Cliff, and crew!
My last adventure race was over 5 years ago, in Ecuador 2012, and the Maine Summer AR has convinced me that I've been on the sidelines for too long. With organizations like Strong Machine putting on creative events that really showcase their area, is there a better way to spend a summer weekend?
I know the organizing side of these events can be demanding. For my part, I'd like to send a thank you to the venues and other organizations who let the race move forward. Kate or Cliff, please let me know the contacts I can reach out to and re-inforce how their support of adventure racing has left me and my team with a very favorable impression of the area and how we will surely return to explore the region further at our next vacation opportunity. My teammate came from London, we tricked a spectator into coming out (who quickly became a race volunteer!) from Spain, and this is the sort of organic, authentic, exposure AR can bring to an area that doesn't require magazine ad buys etc.
Thanks again!
Grant & the Untamed Adventure (and the much faster UntamedNE.com racing team) crew
Jun 29, 2017 2:02 PM
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Well said, Grant -- echoing those sentiments! (Though I'm not sure where you encountered low tide ;) )
Jun 29, 2017 3:26 PM
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Agreed! Thanks again Kate and Cliff!
Grant, I think you bring up a good point that we as racers can (and maybe have a responsibility to) help ensure future events by routinely expressing our gratitude to land owners/managers who allow us access to the properties we need for our races. Via social media, it would take little effort to send a note of appreciation, individually or as a group.
Grant, I think you bring up a good point that we as racers can (and maybe have a responsibility to) help ensure future events by routinely expressing our gratitude to land owners/managers who allow us access to the properties we need for our races. Via social media, it would take little effort to send a note of appreciation, individually or as a group.
Jun 29, 2017 7:29 PM
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Abby - the orienteering circuit after the River-Link trail section involved a couple controls we visited by way of the Damariscotta river shore that was a combo of mud, sea grass, and exposed rocks as the tide was low.
Jun 30, 2017 1:58 AM
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Just seeing this...Oh wow, guys, that is amazingly sweet of you! You got both Kate and I pretty choked up. As you all know, A LOT of time and effort goes into planning these races. As we were leaving the area on Sunday after clearing the last of the course, Kate and I doubted whether we had the energy to put on a longer race next year. Messages like these make the difference.
As for thanking our local partners, we were lucky to have very supportive organizations backing the race. But if you want to reach out to them, I'm sure they would be delighted to hear from you - the Boothbay Regional Land Trust (Nick Ullo is the executive director and you can reach him at Nullo@bbrlt.org); the Damariscotta River Association (Jesse Ferreira is at jferreira@damariscottariver.org); Edgecomb's Schmidt Preserve Committee (Bob Leone can be reached at ezasabc@myfairpoint.net); and the Midcoast Conservancy (jody@midcoastconservancy.org). I'm sure they would all appreciate hearing how much you loved the time you spent in their nature preserves, and I'm sure a group email would suffice, if any of you are up for it. Or just a ping on social media would go a long way.
We hope to see all of you in our growing friend circle of Northeastern racers soon, and Grant, it was wonderful meeting you! We've heard such amazing things about the races you put on, and we were always sad we weren't in Maine to experience them. We're so excited you've decided to jump back in the saddle next year and we absolutely cannot wait for next summer's big race!
As for thanking our local partners, we were lucky to have very supportive organizations backing the race. But if you want to reach out to them, I'm sure they would be delighted to hear from you - the Boothbay Regional Land Trust (Nick Ullo is the executive director and you can reach him at Nullo@bbrlt.org); the Damariscotta River Association (Jesse Ferreira is at jferreira@damariscottariver.org); Edgecomb's Schmidt Preserve Committee (Bob Leone can be reached at ezasabc@myfairpoint.net); and the Midcoast Conservancy (jody@midcoastconservancy.org). I'm sure they would all appreciate hearing how much you loved the time you spent in their nature preserves, and I'm sure a group email would suffice, if any of you are up for it. Or just a ping on social media would go a long way.
We hope to see all of you in our growing friend circle of Northeastern racers soon, and Grant, it was wonderful meeting you! We've heard such amazing things about the races you put on, and we were always sad we weren't in Maine to experience them. We're so excited you've decided to jump back in the saddle next year and we absolutely cannot wait for next summer's big race!
Jun 30, 2017 2:06 AM
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I echo all of what Cliff said above. Thanks Grant and everyone for the AR love. We had a lot of fun last weekend, and after sleeping through this week we are excited to get working on next year's course!
Please do reach out to our partners if you get a chance - I agree that it goes a lot way and is something we should all do for each other.
Please do reach out to our partners if you get a chance - I agree that it goes a lot way and is something we should all do for each other.
This discussion thread is closed.