Happily Ever After

Jeff Akens, support crew leader for adventure racing team Merrell/Zanfel Adventure, carries fiancee Robyn Benincasa, captain of the team, to a support vehicle and a day of hard-earned rest in the team's Big Sky Resort condo. Robyn and her teammates had just completed the 500 mile Primal Quest expedition adventure race in Southwest Montana. The team took second place.

Merrell/Zanfel Adventure to Finish Primal Quest Today

Today team Merrell/Zanfel Adventure will finally cross the finish line of Primal Quest Montana. The expedition-style adventure race began at Big Sky Resort on the morning of Monday, June 23, and, for Merrell/Zanfel Adventure at least, will end right where it started, some time this afternoon, on Sunday, June 29.

The team has endured 500 miles of multiple mountain hikes, multiple mountain bike rides, rock climbing, rope climbing, orienteering, rappelling, whitewater kayaking and even whitewater swimming. Through it all, team members Robyn Benincasa, John Jacoby, Travis Macy and Aaron Prince have been forced to work together at all times, as a team, to complete the course. This was their first race together. They now have a bond so tight, it's difficult to comprehend.

Support crew members Jeff Akens and Ryan Floth have set up and torn down camp for their team a dozen times. Many former racers who work as support crew say that crewing is only slightly easier than actually competing in the race. Watching Jeff and Ryan in action, I believe it. Many nights they only got a few hours of sleep. Their endurance was astounding.

I expect my next post will show a very happy team Merrell/Zanfel Adventure at the finish line.

Merrell/Zanfel Adventure Takin' Care of Business in Primal Quest Home Stretch

Members of adventure racing team Merrell/Zanfel Adventure are in fine spirits and taking care of business as Primal Quest Montana winds down. It now appears certain Merrell/Zanfel Adventure will take second place in a field of more than 60 international teams that started Primal Quest back on Monday, June 23, 2008.

Support crew boss Jeff Akens said all members of the team are in good spirits, and are physically well. Robyn has developed a nasty blister on the pinky toe of her left foot, Jeff said, but it's not serious enough to threaten the team's forward progress. Teammates John Jacoby, Aaron Prince and Travis Macy continue to forge ahead with no reported physical issues, Jeff said.

Jeff said he expects to see the team around 3 a.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Ennis Lake, if all goes according to plan. The team will then have to return to Big Sky Resort, where the finish line awaits.