Winter Challenge: Course & Order of Events

This year the trails will be faster, cleaner, and meaner than ever as we showcase our race’s 5 year anniversary. The Course is a beautiful & rugged wilderness setting including two hundred year trails, a 70 acre pond, Blackwater Swamp, and at its heart, the South Edisto River. The transition area is perfect for spectators and crowd support. It is set up so that participants pass through “race headquarters” four times before reaching the finish line. Almost half of the kayak segment of the race is visible from where the transition area is set up off the banks of the lake, where there are two cabins set up to accommodate spectators and athletes. There will be new and improved additions to the mountain bike trail.

2008 Winter Challange Schedule:

Friday, February 1

Saturday, February 2

Event I: Trail Run
The Race begins with the 7 mile run course. It takes place on six to ten foot wide hard-packed farm roads and single track woodland trails that will keep participants surrounded by woods and lake view. The course is mostly level terrain with a few rolling hills.

Event II: Paddle
The 6 mile paddle course takes place on a 70 acre still water lake. The lake is approximately half open water and half flooded cypress. The course will require circling the perimeter of the lake in a series of three laps. The path requires no portage but paddlers may encounter the possibility of minor obstacles through portions of the course. This is a beautiful “ Edisto” setting, haven to a wide variety of waterfowl including duck, heron, geese and osprey.

Kayaks of all types will be permitted. Canoes will also be allowed. Fixed rudder boats are not recommended. If you do not have a kayak with which to race, rentals will be available through Blackwater Adventures and Epic Kayaks. Reservations MUST be made in advance. See Kayak Rentals for more info. It is required that all paddlers carry with them an approved PFD.

Event III: Bike Course
Participants finish the race on a challenging 10 mile mountain bike course. The trail varies in width from 3 to 8 feet wide featuring both double and single track. The trail is built to accommodate riders of all levels, but offers technical challenges for those with advanced skills. There are, for instance several natural obstacles which may be either ridden or bypassed at the cost of a few second’s time. The finish of the bike course will feature three fences of hay bales which riders may attempt to jump, climb, or carry their bike over. Last year, this cyclo-cross style element offered exciting and colorful finishes for the participants and spectators.