SI: As creative director of Stormsky, brand agency for Merrell SA, you were heavily involved in the recent Merrell Eden Duo. Tell us a bit about the different race categories.
JS: The race is divided into three broad categories:
200km Wildman Adventure Race
Teams must report to marshals at each transition point, clip their clip card and make sure to register their time and racing no. Transitions are compulsory. Teams must also clip their clip cards at all control points (CP). For every CP you miss, you receive a 90 minute penalty on your final racing! The winner of the event will be the team with the fastest racing time. Both team members must complete the full route together including the detours to all CPs and transitions.
150 km Classic Race & 100km Junior Race
Teams must report to the marshals at the transitions, clip their card and make sure to register their time and racing no. Any teams who miss a transition and complete a short course will be considered official finishers but will NOT receive a racing time and/or position.
SI: How long has the race been going and how long has Merrell been your headline sponsor?
JS: This year had marked the 10th year anniversary of the event. Merrell became our headline sponsor in 2009 and the event has grown significantly since their involvement. Why they came on board is best described, I think, in the welcome speech Gustav Nefdt gave at the opening ceremony (race briefing):
“We believe that outside inspiration makes the world a better place. We listen to our outside voice – it reminds us to seek beauty, be healthier, connect with others and find alternative routes. We embrace sock tans, helmet hair, and the occasional bruised Ego.
We crave the opportunity to breathe deeply, to think clear, to run rivers, to bag peaks, to laugh and jump and play – AND WE DO IT ALL REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER, enabled by gear that is as durable and comfortable on the mountainside as it is on the sidewalk. WE ARE THE OUTSIDERS. And we believe that outside is for everyone”¦everywhere”
SI: Wow! Nicely said! How was the feedback from race participants?
JS: Overwhelmingly positive. We were sent dozens of emails thanking us for the event and the opportunity to get outside.
SI: Were there any dropouts?
JS: Six teams out of sixty did not manage to complete the race. Race owner Jan Heenop, who competed in the race this year, re-routed two of the teams and put one team on a short route to ensure their safety during the event.
SI: Tell me a little about the choice in location. Has it always been the same and what was the thinking behind the selection?
JS: For the last 10 years the Garden Route has been the host location, the reason being that it is an unspoiled gem on the South African coastline that lends itself to a multi discipline outdoor event.
SI: What differentiates adventure racing from other racing events?
JS: It is a discipline that allows you to compete in a scenic, unspoiled outdoor environment. Its special in that you need to compete intellectually as well as physically – the journey is as important as the destination!
SI: Are you happy with this year’s turnout?
JS: We are very happy with the turnout as well as the media coverage for the event. Getaway has certainly added value with regards to media exposure.
SI: Why thank you (please note that Jaco’s responses have not been doctored). So what did the top adventurers win?
JS: R 20 000 prize money for category winners and several product prizes.
SI: What are the details for next year’s race? Will anything change – location, categories etc?
JS: That’s a surprise!
SI: You participated in 2009. What did you do and did you enjoy it?
JS: I was on one of the Merrell Relay teams that competed in the 2009 MED. I did the kloofing, mountain hike and the paddle with my brother, which was an amazing experience. I would love to train harder and do the entire 150km event next year.
SI: Can anyone enter are must participants pass some kind of fitness test?
JS: Any solar powered individual that loves fresh air, clear mountain streams, blue mountains and winding single mountain bike tracks can line up on the beach at 4:30 and join in the experience.
SI: What was the mix of participants – old, young, experienced athletes or first timers?
JS: The majority of competitors are outdoor junkies and weekend warriors between the ages of 30 and 50. The youngest competitor was 6-year-old Marco Swart who competed in the MED Lite with his mom and dad. The oldest being Fani de Jong – age 56.
SI: God, now I really feel like a loser. What was the final turnout?
JS: 120 participants in total. The highest we’ve had thus far.
SI: Do you expect it to keep growing?
JS: The Merrell Eden Duo is experiencing growth every year. There are several dynamics that trigger this growth one being the beautiful location, another an extremely well planned route by outdoor guru Jan Heenop and last but not least the well oiled management machine that controls every aspect of the race from start to finish.
SI: Where do you see the race going in the future? What level of success do you hope to achieve?
JS: I see this event becoming one of the biggest adventure races in South Africa. On a personal success level, I would love to do the race again next year even if it’s just to experience the beauty of the event and the camaraderie between the competitors.
SI: Thanks Jaco, you’ve been great. Congrats on a great event and hope to see you next year – sweating with the rest of the adventure addicts!
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