July 2009
With a start number in the 8,000's I knew there were going to be a fair few cyclists ahead of me and even though I knew there were over 9,500 doing the Etape I found it impossible to picture what that many riders all bunched up like marathon runners before the start would look like.
It was both inspiring and annoying, inspiring because to see that many people passionate about being active and setting themselves a challenge is fantastic to be part of it was just annoying that over 8,000 were in front of me and even more annoying that your time starts when the gun goes rather than when you cross the line. Not great when it takes you 35minutes to cross the line.
I'd put in some decent training and wanted to not only see how fast I could do the whole stage but to find out how hard the legendary Ventoux was. I figured the only way to do this was by making sure I was knackered by the time I reached the start of the climb. I achieved that goal but regretted it 5km into the climb when the road steepened for the 10km through the forest. I wasn't the only one struggling Ventoux resembled armageddon there were people and carbon spread everywhere on the mountain. I ploughed on figuring that if I stopped there was no chance I would start again.
With every pedal push I had more respect for the riders in the tour who do this for a living racing up these climbs. I was in a little race of my own, to get a gold medal in the event I had to get under six hours, I made it by five minutes. Crossing the line coincided with a massive bout of cramp but luckily some kind French cyclist stretched my leg for me and said I was too big for bike riding. I had to concede that one.
March / April 2010
www.saharamarathon.co.uk
The Marathon des Sables, dubbed ‘the toughest footrace on earth', covers approximately 150 miles over 6 days - the equivalent of 5.5 marathons in 6 days in extreme conditions (think dunes, 120°F temperatures, sand storms...) and is James’ latest challenge! He will be taking part in the 2010 race and raising money for Mencap.
The race takes place in March/April in the Moroccan Sahara, where midday temperatures can rise to 120°F. The terrain is uneven, rocky, stony ground, and 15-20% of the distance is over sand dunes.
In addition, competitors have to carry everything they need for the entire race (apart from water and a tent) on their backs. “At least it won’t snow there” commented James on return from the Antarctic.
April 2009
In April 2009 James took on the Devizes to Westminster canoe challenge along with ex marine canoeing partner Bernie Shrosbree. The non-stop version of the race that James and Bernie tackled is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world and the pair finished 16th in the race in a time of just 20 hours 36 minutes.
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race starts in Devizes, Wiltshire and finishes just downstream of Westminster Bridge in London, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948.
The race is 125 miles long and has 77 portages. The first 52 miles are along the Kennet and Avon Canal, the next 55 miles are on the River Thames and the final section is on the tidal portion of the Thames.
The race is a severe test of skill and stamina which produces a memorable sense of achievement for those successfully completing it and James is delighted to join the impressive list of canoeists who have achieved this feat before him.
4th January to 22nd January 2009
www.amundsenomega3southpolerace.com
James reprised his partnership with TV presenter Ben Fogle, after their success in the Atlantic Row, this time to take on Antarctica in the Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race 2009. The pair were joined by Dr Ed Coats, who was chosen after applying to join the team during a nationwide search, to make up Team Qinetiq. Their expedition was filmed for a prime time BBC documentary so look out for this on BBC 2 later in the year.
After two weeks of intensive Polar Training in Antarctica coving approximately 100 nautical miles, and a slight delay because of the weather, six teams finally set off across the Antarctic Plateau, on 4th January, to race 430 nautical miles across the largest ice cap in the world to the Geographic South Pole.
The racers faced constant challenges throughout their journey: surviving in temperatures as low as -50C, navigating and skiing while pulling a 70Kg. pulk (sled), climbing up to 9300 ft. to the South Pole, terrifying ice chasms, sore feet, frostnip, pneumonia and through everything working together as a team.
The boys successfully reached the South Pole at 3.30pm on 22nd January 2009. They travelled 473.6 miles during the race and finished in a fantastic 2nd place, just over 20 hours behind the frustratingly good Norwegian’s 'Team Missing Link'.
Amundsen & Scott
Norwegian Roald Amundsen reached the geographic South Pole on 14th December 1911, Englishman Captain Robert Scott on 17th January 1912. Their expeditions were never meant to be a race but when they discovered that they were both planning their journeys at the same time, the race was on.
Scott's team of five reached the pole just over a month later than Amunden’s. Although they faced the same severe weather conditions and treacherous climb, these obstacles were made all the more challenging by Scott's decision to man-haul the sledges. On the return leg, the weather worsened and the already harsh conditions became near impossible to cope with. Constant blizzards and temperatures falling below 30°C battered the failed English team.
Edgar Evans was the first to succumb to the terrible weather when he developed frostbite and died. Then, Laurence Oates, realising his health was failing him and not wanting to be a burden to the rest of the team, sacrificed his own life in the hope of saving his friends. As he left the tent for the last time, he uttered the famous words: "I am just going outside and may be gone for some time."
He was never seen again. The final three members of the team, Scott, Edward Wilson,
and Henry "Birdie" Bowers froze to death on the 29 March, barely 11 miles from their
depot and safety.
It is in memory of these intrepid explorers, Norwegian and English, that James Cracknell and Team QinetiQ race to the pole.
27th February to 7th March 2008
www.challengecracknell.com
James wanted to show just how close Africa is to the UK by getting there entirely using his own strength, all to raise money for Sport Relief. He achieved this amazing feat in just
9 days - rowing the channel, cycling down through France and Spain then finally swimming
to North Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar, accompanied by David Walliams and four
pilot whales!
“Africa is not a place on the other side of the world, as Lenny Henry said:
‘This is your doorstep.’ Travelling to Africa under my own steam has always been something that I wanted to do. The majority of the trip will be spent on a bike which is a great way to see any country.”
James slept only four hours a night in a mobile home and ate and drank on the move.
He capsized, suffered from saddle sores and braved shark infested waters.
Distance travelled: 1460.82 miles in 9 days
Longest daily distance: 300 miles
Average speed: 19.5 mph
Maximum speed: 55 mph
Time in the saddle: 108 hours
Hours slept: just 50
Hours awake: 190 hours
Calories burnt: a massive 60,000
Punctures: one
Rotations of bike wheel: 3.1 million
Capsized: once
Bowls of rice consumed: too many!
Money raised so far: over £340,000
30 November 2005 to 19 January 2006
In 2005 James decided to take on the mighty challenge of rowing across the Atlantic with TV presenter Ben Fogle. The pair set off in a twenty one foot plywood boat in the 2005 Atlantic Rowing Race with the whole challenge filmed for the BBC documentary Through Hell and High Water.
They pushed themselves physically, psychologically and emotionally to the limit. They survived without water rations, lost the few clothes they had, capsized, hallucinated, wept, fought, played games, grew beards, nursed blisters and rowed a staggering 2,930 miles. After 49 days at sea they crossed the finish line two days ahead of the next pairs rowing boat, setting the British record for East West crossing from La Gomera to Antigua.