Following our most recent site visit to Zerendy, the location for this years’ event, the BG Energy Challenge 2009 – Kazakhstan has really taken shape. The routes are planned, timings recorded and new puzzles and challenges dreamt up to test and challenge even the most experienced participants!
The five stages this year will make the most of this beautiful area of forest, hill trails and lakes. Those who took part in 2007 will know how perfect it is for an Energy Challenge. The preparation trip was a joy: running and cycling through pristine birch and evergreen forest and paddling the ever fun inflatable kayak across lakes. There wasn’t even a biting insect anywhere in sight!
Of course, the Energy Challenge is much more than just a physical event. Strategy decisions will be multi-layered as a recycling theme links all five stages. While speed is important, teams will also need to intelligently re-use and recycle their challenge equipment and minimise their use of non-renewable resources. Keep an eye on this website to learn more about this later.
If you are hoping to participate this year, why not start to get in some advance preparation. Any fitness training you do will pay off as you’ll both enjoy the event more and perform better. Spending time as a team doing things together will also certainly help. A great idea is to start fundraising for this year’s charity. Assel Ibrayeva, the BG Kazakhstan Energy Challenge coordinator will have plenty of ideas if you can’t think where to start.
Finally, we’re looking forward to meeting you in August.
Nick Ashley, Challenge Director, Red Rock International.