The last DuO Adventure race of the year was run on Sunday at Belanglo State Forest, and attracted the biggest field yet. The series has grown in popularity over its three event run, attracting orienteers and mountain bike enthusiasts in equal numbers. This last race saw a large contingent of participants from the ACT.
The courses were challenging but many lessons have been learnt over the series and this was probably the best yet. New courses were added to the championship long and short courses to allow as many people as possible to try out the event. There was a new novice course which saw a number of youngsters having a go, and a mountain bike only course for those who prefer their orienteering on two wheels only.
Championship winners were decided at this race. Mary Fien won the Women's Long Course both on the day and for the series. Although she had a difficult run at The Dairy where she lost to Melanie Simpson, her winning performances at Killingworth and Belanglo secured the top spot with 51 points from Carolyn Haupt's 46 and Hilary Ellis' 44. Anna Hyslop from the ACT was second on the day; this was her first attempt at the DuO so if she decides to run in the full series next year Mary may find the competition next year has hotted up.
Mens Long course winner Malcolm Roberts had a solid set of events through the series to take the top spot, but there were strong contenders bunched close behind. Jason Rutkowski took second; only 1 point separated Greg Barbour in third from Graham Horrocks and David Simpfendorfer in joint fourth. Many of the male competitors in the Long Course struggled with the foot O part of the course which was set around the Piggeries, a map well known to orienteers as one that can pose difficulties for even the most experienced.
Short course winner for the women was Carolyn Matthews with a near perfect score of 73. Toy Martin was a solid second in the series with Cath Chalmers third. A
ndrew Power, new President of Newcastle Orienteering Club, was the winner of the Men's Short Course, snatching the title from organiser Greg Bacon whose 6th place at Belanglo prevented him taking the overall title. Graham Fowler was 3rd,but things might have all been different if Rob Prentice had made the trip to Killingworth, as his two wins at The Dairy and Belanglo would have made him hot favorite for a title had he gathered the full DuO Adventure Race set.
Ewan Shingler won the novice course, accompanied by his father on foot. The other novices struggled with the course but seemed to enjoy their ride out into the forest nonetheless. Eoin Rothery led the MTBO Long course home; Bridget Kelly the Short MTBO.
Full results and final championship standing can be found on the DuO Adventure Race page here. Organiser Greg Bacon's detailed round up of the Belanglo race can be found here
