The Hobbit & the Orc...an unexpected journey...
An Orc and a Hobbit are an unlikely friendship ordinarily…but in this instance, it seems that this friendship has begun an unexpected journey…
That is we will see them tackle their first BNG Sports Ultra Adventurethon in Townsville July 1st. This event includes 16kms of paddling (to & from Magnetic Island), 29km mountain biking & 16.5km trail run (including to the summit of Mount Marlow).
Mackay mates in their mid 40’s, Darren Waters & John Summerhayes worked together in the same crew and when Darren started cycling about 4 years ago he became instantly hooked. He then went about motivating John to buy a bike and begin riding together. They both say, “it’s definitely more motivating to train when you are relied on to turn up, at work and on our days off. We keep each other honest”.
In 2016 they discovered Onamission and raced in pairs. A second placing saw them addicted to the multisport style of event, and the pairs racing meant they “didn’t have to suffer alone”.
We wondered how the OrcHobbit combo began, and John told us how he once saw Darren marching in an Anzac parade, and his description of him was that of an Orc as he stood out from all those around him.
John continued, “Being a good mate I had to tell him. When thinking of a Team name for the Zach Mach, with Darren being 6?3 and me 5?6 (and I do have hairy feet, naturally I was hobbit worthy), the name just stuck.
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_Yeah we are an odd looking combo but what I lack in size I try and make up in determination so I think it helps when training with Darren, especially when riding, he’s so bloody strong. I’m usually going full noise just to stay in touch and still he leaves me in his dust.”
Read more about their story HERE.
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