Long race for a beer ends with broken collarbone
It takes a superhuman effort to get up and continue to race after breaking a collarbone.
But that is what one appropriately clad Race to the Brewery competitor did on Saturday in a heroic effort tomake the finish line.
With his Captain America cape, eyewear and cap, Steve Ackerman was the sole solo entrant to tackle the 56-kilometre cycle, run, up-hill clamber and mountain bike race from organiser Property Brokers’ office in Main St, Palmerston North, to the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka.
The Ashhurstman with American roots was aiming to complete the long haul for a beer in sweltering conditions in about 51⁄ hours.
‘‘I am worried about my choice of accessories,’’ he said before setting off on the first leg, a 15km cycle to the Manawatu¯ Gorge.
Ackerman completed that, the run over the Manawatu¯ Gorge track and a tough up-hill walk in the blazing sun, although the heat was taking its toll.
Disaster struck on the fourth leg, a hilly mountain bike, when he clipped the edge of the goat track with his pedal and slid off to the side. His collarbone broke from the impact of sticking his hand out to break the fall.
After a rider in front checked he was OK, Ackerman stoically carried on, the bumpy ride down the slope causing discomfort.
Dehydration was setting in too, which he thought could have contributed to his crash, but spectators on a four-wheel quad bike gave him a litre of water and plenty of encouragement.
‘‘That was the major victory, just getting down and not having to be carried off the mountain.’’
He had to walk the next leg, a 5.5km road run, holding his shoulder in place, but eventually he realised it was time to call it a day.
Ackerman still made the race’s prizegiving. ‘‘All I came away with was a sling and some pain meds.’’
He then had a long night in Palmerston North Hospital, not being seen until 8am yesterday after a 12-hour wait.
After his injury heals, Ackerman will resume training. He is keen to tackle the course solo again next year, even convincing another competitor from Saturday to do the same.
Fifty-six teams entered the race. Macdougalls won for the fourth time in a row in 3 hours, 25 minutes and 58 seconds, 32s ahead of 360 Health and Fitness.
The teams had a close battle and the lead several times changed hands. About $55,000 was raised for charity, including the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter and sports scholarships for schoolchildren.