The 3rd James Williamson Enduro Challenge was raced in the Southern Highlands on Sunday 10th March. Now in it’s third year – the race celebrates the life of the late James Williamson. ‘Willo’ passed away in his sleep while at the Cape Epic mountain bike stage race, on 23rd March 2010. The event is not only a celebration of Willo’s life and racing, but also a fundraiser for the James Williamson Fund, which supports junior development.
Clear skies brought warm temperatures and near perfect trail conditions in the Southern Highlands. With race distances of 13km, 25, 50 and 75km, and plenty of age group options, there was a race for everyone. Being one of the top elite racers in Australia, the memorial race for James draws a very big crowd for those who want to both remember the man, and support the fund that has been set up in his memory.
The open 75km race was as heavily stacked as any major marathon, with plenty Shaun Lewis and Andy Blair (Swell-Specialized), 2012 winner Dylan Cooper, previous Junior XC World Champ Trent Low, Olympian Sid Taberlay and many strong racers and developing younger racers.
That’s a stacked field at the 2013 Willo memorial. Photo: Pauline Carr
One of the best ways to sort out a big field of racers is to send them up a big hill. Or use staggered starts. This race did both, with staggered starts for all categories – your start time was written on your number, so getting it wrong just wasn’t acceptable! In any case, the main protagonists in the Open men 75km stayed together for the majority of the first lap. The splits between small groups were significant, and the fast racing took it’s toll with a few DNF’s due to mechanical mishaps, crashes or fatigue.
The course used a lot of the best parts of the trails in Wingello, with enough open fire road for passing and fluid intake. What always stands out at races is how the whole thing is setup. With mechanical assistance, coffee and food onsite, a well marked feed zone, professional timing and great prizes – the ‘Willo memorial’ is a great race. But beyond that, everyone who is involved is passionate about the race and the cause, and remembering James. This lifts the event, and it makes it a day where people will either be racing hard in his memory, or enjoying the trials in his memory. And for either one, everyone is happy.
At the end of 3 laps, it was Sid Taberlay who got a nose in front of Shaun Lewis. Jenny Fay took a clear win in the women’s 75km race. With a variety of age and distance categories, there were a lot of winners – check the results page for full listings.
Shaun Lewis, set for another stellar season?
The James Williamson Fund supports the development of young mountain bikers in the ACT and New South Wales, with an annual training camp and assistance packages. More information can be found on the race website.
It’s in the family. Sascha, Meaghan, Jamie and Zoe – all going home with category placings.