Overview

Adventure Racing is said to be one of the fastest growing UK sports. It combines endurance with sleep deprivation and navigation. Activities usually include mountain biking, mountain and fell running, with longer events introducing kayaking, rope skills, coasteering, canyoning and gorge scrambling. That's just for starters!

Short events are usually score based with teams and individuals visiting as many check points as possible within the time limit. Events range from 3, 5 and 6 hours to 24 hour non stop events and then onto multi day affairs that require teams to plan their sleep stops.

Team Accelerate is a fully managed Team that is partnered by some of the sports leading and most renowned Brands and Companies. Formed in November 2005 the squad encompasses 15 dedicated athletes and two four legged mascots. Some of the members (and mascots) have represented their country in an associated sport, whilst others are highly regarded and experienced Adventure Racers.

Team Accelerate is currently the only known Team where the athlets do not race for any other team, fully representing Team Accelerate and working closely with Team Partners.

In 2007 and 08 Team Accelerate never failed to achieve a podium finish in any race entered within the UK and wins included the Open 5 Series (mixed, male and female pairs), Open Endurance Series and the Powerbar Three Peaks Yacht Race, in association with Vlad the Impaler and crew.

In 2008 the Team fully competed in their first World Series AR event, finishing 8th, in the Portugal XPD. This was to set the scene for the ongoing development of the Team.

During 2009 success on the UK scene comtinued and new levels were attained in racing speeds, giving the soon to be crowned World Champions a very close call in there first head to head meeting. With Team Accelerate planning to compete at the World Championships Final for the very first time at the end of 2009.

Going into 2010 it was agreed the squad would begin to take a more dedicated approach to racing XPD and plans are been put in place to race WARC Tasmania, 2011. In doing so the Team has begun working with Sheffield Hallam University based company 'Podium Performance' drawing on their extensive experience helping Olympians and World Champions.

2010 will be very much a year of 'transition' as the Team Athletes adjust to the demands and the processes required for multi day racing.

Interesting times ahead.....