 Saturday afternoon, the sun was shining and the run for home had finally arrived! With only one opportunity left to move themselves up the leader board, the teams assembled at Wembury Point for the start of Stage Five, an exciting fastest to finish challenge.
The starting gun was fired for the last time and once teams had solved the start puzzle, they were handed a map showing the coastal route home. Teams were tasked with visiting five compulsory Check Points along the way with the opportunity to earn vital bonus time by visiting selected Bonus Points. Many teams opted to conserve their energy, keeping a steady pace along the stunning South West coast as they headed for Mount Batten point and their ferry ride home. Not as easy as it sounds however as the teams were required to solve puzzles at the compulsory Check Points in order to earn their ferry tokens. Without these they wouldn’t be able to cross the Cattewater towards Plymouth Barbican and the finish line of the BG Energy Challenge.
The teams, beginning to struggle after a tough morning stage, slowly made their way around the coastal paths until at last they reached the terminal ferry. After a brief respite and opportunity to rest their legs during the crossing, the teams disembarked the ferry to the cheers and encouragement of their waiting substitutes and team leaders; tired and yet elated, knowing that the end was in sight.
Team 9, BG Merlions, chasing the leaders, had enough reserve in their tanks and visited all Check and Bonus Points collecting an impressive 70 minutes in bonus time and winning the stage. However their efforts were unsuccessful and with another outstanding performance from Team Perenco, it was clear they had clinched the overall title. As the champagne corks popped, their Team Captain, Anna Loo said: “I can’t believe we’ve won! I’m so proud and can’t wait to get back to the office to tell everybody. It was an amazing team effort with our stragetical planning that got us to the top. The event was such good fun and we’ll definitely be back next year, hopefully with other teams from the office for us to beat!”
All the teams then cheered the last team up the final straight, BG Aberdeen, whose sense of pride and accomplishment was obvious to see. Hand in hand, helping each other over the finish line, they epitomised the team spirit that had been built over the course of just two days.
Nevertheless as the teams collected their medals, all had cause for celebration whether it was for winning a prize, teamwork or just having made it to the finish! With that in mind the excited teams headed back to the University eagerly awaiting the prize giving and event party. With some teams already discussing their participation at next year’s event, it was undoubtedly another triumphant BG Energy Challenge, benefiting not only the teams themselves but more importantly the charities for whom significant funds had been raised.
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