Competitors from across the globe—including participants from Canada, Hong Kong, the USA, Reunion, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and throughout Europe—gathered to test their endurance and skills.
The final competitors crossed the finish line mere minutes before the 2am cutoff, utterly exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
Adventure racing is a demanding sport, reserved for only the most resilient athletes. The clock runs continuously, and choosing when and where to sleep becomes a crucial part of the strategy. And this was just the 'lite' version of the gruelling 5-day ITERA expedition race.
The adventure began on Thursday at 6pm when teams were briefed and the course details were revealed for the first time at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. The participants knew the disciplines—running, trekking, kayaking, mountain biking, and a special stage—but not the specific route. Each team received maps and a course book, spending Thursday night plotting their 300km journey through Eryri and strategizing which checkpoints to target within the allotted time, mindful of penalties for any missed.
Friday morning saw teams bussed to the start line in Llandudno, where the race kicked off with a 5k run over Great Orme Head, descending along the coast to Deganwy. An 18km paddle up the Conway estuary followed, taking them past Conway Castle and upriver. Next came a challenging 40km mountain bike stage from Dolgarrog to Llanfairfechan, transitioning into a nocturnal trek through Aber Falls and the Carneddau and Glyderau ranges. By now, competitors were battling fatigue and sleep deprivation with two days still to go.
Day two featured a mammoth mountain bike stage through Gwydir and Penmachno, interspersed with a special orienteering stage at Nant Bwlch yr Haearn. From there, it was back onto the bikes and onward to Blaenau Ffestiniog where they would transition into a trekking stage over the Moelwyns to kayak at Llyn Trawsfynydd. Only a few teams braved this stage in the dark, while others welcomed the ethereal sunrise over the misty lake.
By this point, the field was widely spread out, but the Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team (SAFAT), the reigning World Champions, maintained a commanding lead over two former world champions. They completed the kayak before nightfall, with only the penultimate mountain biking stage at Coed y Brenin and a final trek from Ganllwyd over the Southern Rhinog and Penmeanpool Bridge to Dolgellau remaining.
SAFAT clinched victory in ITERA-lite 2024 at 9:15am, finishing in 45 hours and 12 minutes, a full four hours ahead of second-place HC Racing from the UK. Remarkably, these teams had not slept since waking up on Friday morning. It took another 17 hours for all teams to cross the finish line.
SAFAT also claimed a place on the start line of the Adventure Racing World Series European Championship in Holland in September as ITERA Lite is a stop on the ARWS Europe Series.
Competitors agreed that the course was incredibly tough yet immensely rewarding. The beautiful weather and diverse terrain made for a truly unforgettable experience. For many racers, it was an opportunity to explore a new region, and they were captivated by the scenic beauty and unique locations. The event showcased the varied and spectacular landscapes of Eryri, offering everything an adventure racer could desire. This race provided a remarkable experience, with many competitors surpassing their own expectations.
ITERA Lite returns next year, in combination with the option to run the 5 day/600km ITERA Expedition Race, and both races will take place from a race HQ in the Cairngorm mountains from August 8-16th.
For more details about the ITERA Adventure Races see https://itera.co.uk
For more on the ARWS European Series see https://www.arworldseries.com/series/europe-series
For information on Durty Events and a full programme of races see https://durtyevents.com/
