With the rising sun beaming off scenic Caney Lake Saturday morning, teams scattered along woodland trails seeking answers to clues that would ultimately crown them winners of the first annual Caney Puzzler Adventure Race.
“This race offered something for everyone,” said Keith Pitman, race director. “Both the three to six-hour sprint and the 12-hour adventure course had mountain biking, trail running, and paddling.”
“As always, we gave racers choices for race routes and strategy,” Keith continued. “Sprint Race teams ran, biked, paddled and faced team challenges and decisions along the way. This course was designed for the beginner in mind. But challengers faced one to three miles of paddling, eight to 12 miles of biking, and three to five miles of trail running, plus some surprises. Teams received pre-plotted maps. “This was a real adventure race!”
The 12-hour adventure teams had to be able to navigate with a pre-plotted map and compass. This year’s course included paddling, mountain biking, O leg section and special challenges. It included six to eight miles of paddling, 30 to 60 miles of biking, and 15-20 miles of trekking.
Team Vignette emerged as the overall winner in the 12-hour race, completing the course in an impressive 10 hours, 31 minutes, and 50 seconds. “Their strategic approach and unwavering determination earned them the top spot, showcasing the true spirit of adventure racing,” Keith said. Members of the team are.
In the Sprint Race, the team of Geaux Endurance claimed victory by completing the course in a remarkable two hours, 44 minutes, and 28 seconds. “Their agility and quick thinking were evident as they navigated the shorter, yet equally demanding course,” Keith remarked, sending kudos to team members.
“The Caney Puzzler Adventure Race attracted participants from various states, with a total of 29 teams consisting of 36 entries from Texas, 20 from Louisiana, four from Arkansas, one from Minnesota, and one from California,” said Serena Gray, Executive Director of Visit Webster Parish. “The competition was fierce, and the camaraderie among participants created an electrifying atmosphere.”
Serena commended the participants and highlighted the positive impact of such events on the local community.
