Trans-Alpine Challenge report

Kristen Stupart of TPC Freight Management, who support the work of Comfort Rwanda, has written the following report:
Casey Morgan and Iona Robertson, otherwise known as ‘Team TPC’ are now safely home from their TransAlpine Adventures and as anticipated, they have done us proud! It was, as expected a tough race with fierce competition.

Day one saw them running just over 36km from Rupholding in Germany to St Ulrich in Austria. They made a good start & finished fourth overall.

On day two, they raised their game. They came 2nd on the day and clawed back much needed time towards their overall position after running 33km from St Ulrich to Kitzbuhel. This was to be the first of many appearances on the winner’s podium throughout the week!

Stage 3, Kitzbuhel to Neukirchen, was the longest stage of the competition at over 48km!! But once again, 2nd place was theirs.

Despite contending with 44km, 9000ft and deep snow as they ran from Neukirchen in Austria to Prettau im Ahrntal in Italy, they took 2nd place once again on Day 4, and had clawed back enough time to reach 3rd place overall.

Day 5, a supposedly slightly easier stage at 34km from Prettau to Sand in Taufers had them not only taking 2nd place for the stage but also moving up to 2nd place overall!

Despite a really tough 6th stage, over the Dolomites from Sand in Taufers to St Vigil, 2nd place on the day & overall was still theirs.

It looked like they had it in the bag going in to the penultimate stage, just over 42 km, from St Vigil to Neiderdorf. The stage started well, and they were comfortably in 2nd place, and leaving their nearest competitors far behind! Sadly, with only 6km to go, Casey badly injured his leg. Determined not to quit, they walked the remainder of the stage, finishing 5th on the day and falling to 3rd overall.

All medical advice suggested withdrawing from the race but Casey is no quitter! After some treatment, with his leg heavily strapped, and with the aid of a set of walking poles and some strong medication, he set off to give the 8th & final stage, 33km from Niederdorf to Sexten a go. Sadly it wasn’t to be, and after only 7km, he was forced to medically withdraw. This was a devastating end to an amazing race, but Team TPC have a lot to be proud of. They put in an inspirational performance and couldn’t have given any more. Let’s not forget that along with their amazing achievements, they have managed to raise enough money to build a house in Bisesero!! Team TPC will be back next year, fitter, faster and stronger (if that’s even possible!!) Watch this space….

...from all of us at Comfort Rwanda - congratulations and thank-you very much!