New Zealand team wins 520 mile race through the Sierras

A multi-sport expedition that took participants from mountain top to mountain top, up rocks and into the lake and along rivers has wrapped up in South Lake Tahoe. Eleven teams with four members each spent the past several days running, biking, orienteering, mountain climbing, kayaking over 520 miles of some of the world's most beautiful terrain.

This athletic test for adventure racers around the world is called Primal Quest, and this was the second time the race was held in Lake Tahoe. In 2003, racers descended upon the basin before venturing out over the next several seasons to places such as San Juan, Washington, Moab, Utah, Europe and New Zealand.

The team from New Zealand, Team GODZone, was in the lead as they left the Tahoe Rim Trail on August 19 and came across the finish line at Hell Hole Reservoir as the Primal Quest Champions.

El Dorado Hills' team, Bones, came in 2nd place.

The course creator, as well as CEO Managing Partner at Primal Quest, Maria Burton was very touched by the responses the planners and racers got from the South Lake Tahoe community.

"What an adventure this has been," Burton said at Friday afternoon's awards ceremony at Lakeside Beach. Both the journey and the community have been amazing."

She said truckers stopped and gave racers water, others gave food and all of the agencies helped her staff get the race staff through a series of permits needed to put on the event.

"I was determined to share Lake Tahoe with the world," said Burton. There were some challenges along the way because of the jurisdictions racers had to go through to complete the course. A single permit from the Forest Service cost $46,000 and there were several others needed that put financial stress on the event.

Primal Quest 2015 showcased everything the Sierra has to offer, and racers were able to experience every nook and cranny.

"There was a story to be told at every checkpoint," said an organizer.

Winners Team GODZone were able to enjoy South Lake Tahoe since their finish came several days ago. Warren Bates of the team said they went to the top of the Gondola Thursday and were amazed at what lay below them from the observation deck.
"The view reminds me of home, of Queensland, New Zealand."

Bates has his wife Lisa as a teammate along with and sisters Sonya and Sarah Clark. Warren said the whole scale of the Lake Tahoe event was immense and intense.

"There was massive scenery and the whole course was a challenge," he said.

He will play host in 2016 when Primal Quest moves to his home country.