SCOTT GULLEDGE / Scroll
Brett Stone, a freshman from Rigby, Idaho, took third place overall in the ironman race, finishing with a time of 2:13:40.

Adventure race offers taste of the outdoors

Ryan Olaveson OLA05001@BYUI.EDU Campus Assistant Editor

Thirty-two hopefuls positioned themselves at the starting line for an iron-man race. Some had strict goals of victory, others hoped to stay with the front pack and many desired simply to finish. In its first year, Pedal, Paddle, Puke, held Oct. 15 in Ashton, Id., gave students the opportunity to get a taste of the outdoors.

The race began at 9 a.m. and the last of the participants crossed the finish line at 4 p.m.

Keith Larson, a sophomore from Boise, who said he “planned on winning,” did win.

“I love this type of thing,” Larson said, who finished in 2:9:10. After the individual participants were well into the race, 17 people (six teams), lined up for the team competition.

The course included a six-mile canoe ride down Henry’s Fork, a 10-mile bike excursion up and down several steep hills and a three-mile run.

“I have to say, that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done — by far. Harder even than a half-marathon,” said Bret Gadbury, a senior from Cheyenne, Wyoming. “I used every muscle in my body today.”

At transfer stations, racers cast-off life vests for Camelbacks, swapped biking cleats for running shoes and shed clothing as the air grew warmer.

“[While transferring,] I just jumped off my bike as quickly as I could, just threw down my bike and took off [running],” said Tyler Jacobson, a sophomore from Irwin, Idaho.

After finishing second, in 2:13:24, Jacobson felt “pretty satisfied” with the race.

“The canoe was intense, the biking was incredibly tough. The running was the hardest part. Your muscles are tired, legs are tired, and you have to keep going,” Jacobson said.

“[The contest was put on so] a large amount of people who are into the outdoors could come play, partake and get a little taste of these types of races,” said Megan Conner, Outdoor Activities coordinator, and a senior from Idaho Falls.

Those in the individual competition finished in times ranging from 2:09:10 to 4:43:32. The winners of the team race, David Nieman, a junior from Clayton, Calif., Mark Jenkins, a senior from Redmond, Wash., and Michael Tveter, a freshman from Walnut Creek, Calif., had a time of 2:20:02.

“That was a great race,” said Laurie Barnes, a senior from Colstrip, Mont., who was the first female finisher, with a time of 2:41:04. “Holy moly! That’s all I can say.”

Many others agreed the race was a great experience, despite its toughness.

“I have never done anything like that before!” said Doug Pierce, a freshman from Fort Collins, Colo. “That was awesome! It was a pedal, paddle, puking good time!”