The 28-mile Hermosa Creek trail is one of the best single track mountain biking trails in the Four Corners region. In fact, it was part of the National Off-Road Bicycle Association's 2003 National Championship Series finale course. It's no surprise then, this trail formed the backbone of Adventure Xstream's Durango adventure race, the second in their four-race summer series. The 24-hour racers rode the trail mostly downhill on the first and second legs to a Tyrolean traverse and more downhill biking. Following a paddle on the winding Animas River, a run, and biking back to the trailhead, they hiked back up Hermosa Creek to reach the finish at host Durango Mountain Resort. The 12-hour racers, however, faced a frosty morning paddle at their start. Then followed by a run and bike to the traverse, and then biking the Hermosa Creek trail--mostly uphill--proving that shorter adventure races are not necessarily easier! In their second-ever adventure race, Team Geckos' Deb McFarland and Steve Prickett made a valiant effort on the 12-hour course while in the 24-hour race, Team Sven (Vicky Zimmerman and Brian Eckerson), hitchhiked out of the race on the way back to the bike-to-paddle transition. Team Sweet & Sour (Steven Nevin, Paula Prescott, Kim Strong and Jason Taylor), who finished 20th at Adventure Xstream Moab (as Team "Denial Revisited") earlier this year, finished their race following the paddle. Despite some disappointments, the teams agreed it was a great learning experience and they can't wait for their next race!

Check out the race results at www.gravityplay.com