As the second placed all-male team, Intrinsic Facilities Engineering Director, Chris Roberts, and IFM-sponsored colleague, Matt Cox, described their latest swim-run endurance event as “beautiful, tough, brutal and slightly mental”.
The 17-stage Breca Gower race traced the iconic Gower peninsula from Rhossili to Mumbles and featured 8 ocean swims, including navigating the dangerous currents and tidal flows around Worm’s Head. As if that’s not challenging enough, competitors switch between swimming and running throughout the race. However, there are no gear changes, which means they must swim in trainers and run in wetsuits. Furthermore, teams must participate in pairs and finish together, making it a truly team event.
“Teamwork is crucial,” reflected a jubilant Matt, “whether that’s borrowing your partner’s cup, navigating the quickest or least dangerous line through a rock section or the swim, or just encouraging each other to keep moving when things get hard. It’s all crucial to doing well.”
Next up, the Team Intrinsic duo will take on the Ben Nevis Braveheart Triathlon, classed as one of the UK’s toughest triathlons. The challenge is a 1.2 mile sea loch swim, a 56 mile road cycle, and a 13 mile hill run to the summit of Ben Nevis and back. Veteran Braveheart Chris finished 14th in category in 2016 in a time of 08:04:20. Nevertheless, the competitive teammates will not be satisfied with anything less than new PBs.
Click here to see Team Intrinsic’s final position and full Results from the Breca Gower 2017 Challenge.
Breca Gower 'debutantes' show how it's done
