Primal Quest has started

Posted by Jodi Gallegos Jun 25, 2006

Primal Quest Utah started at 6:00 this morning. Racers have now been on the course 4 hours and it's got to be getting hot by now. The beginning leg was a horseback section. One horse per 4 member team (Race Director Rich Brazeau assures that there are strict rules as to how the horse is treated!). After the initial section, racers will face multiple treks & mountain bike rides through the blistering desert heat. There are also ropes sections, brutal canyoneering treks, an 8.3 mile whitewater swim and paddling.

Racers will cover over 400 miles in weather that can exceed 100F. In the absence of the usual, frequent changes in elevation along a course, the heat should move in to challenge the endurance of teams.

Here are some interesting facts:

• Number of teams who applied for Primal Quest Utah= 200
• Number of teams accepted= 90 (89 teams started)
• Miles of ropes on the course= 8
• Amount of water & Gatorade being hauled by PQ staff for racers= 140,000 pounds
• Amount of dry ice being used by PQ= 1,000 pounds
• Number of 120-gallon coolers being used= 50
• Number of support crews to assist teams with food & gear= 0
• Estimated finish rate= 30%Right now, Team Nike is in the lead. Be sure to check out the Primal Quest Website for the GPS tracking of teams and interactive maps. You'll be able to watch the progress of teams as they make their ways through southwestern Utah.And just so you know...it was HOT in Moab!