Team Leaping Fish Win ITERA 2025

Under the stillness of the Highland night, Team Leaping Fish swept into the Badaguish Outdoor Centre at 12:30am on Thursday, their bikes clattering to the ground as they broke into a final run across the finish line. After 84 hours and 30 minutes of relentless racing, they claimed the ITERA 2025 crown, an AR World Series Qualifier victory, and a golden ticket to the 2026 Raid in France World Championship.

For captain Nick Gracie, this was no ordinary win — it marked his astonishing 11th Qualifier triumph, and his second ITERA title after a first in 2014. For his teammates Wouter Huitzing, Tom Davies, and Clare Dallimore, it was the sweet taste of a maiden victory. “That win was a long time coming,” grinned Davies, the exhaustion in his face giving way to unfiltered joy.

History was made, too — Huitzing became the first Dutch racer ever to win an ARWS event. A late addition to the team, he swapped ultra-running miles for kayak strokes and endless cycling in preparation. “I’d have preferred more trekking,” he admitted, “but I adjusted — cutting my running, adding paddling, and travelling everywhere on my bike.”

Dallimore’s razor-sharp navigation proved a decisive factor. A doctor by profession, she’s no stranger to long hours and sleepless stretches. For Davies, however, fatigue was the race’s cruelest weapon. “On the second bike ride I was falling asleep on my bike all the time and kept jerking awake,” he confessed. With the race behind her, Dallimore joked she was most looking forward to some female company again.

The 600km course favoured Leaping Fish’s strengths. “We knew we were stronger on the bike, while Endurancelife were quicker on foot,” explained Gracie. “The route — and the calm conditions on Loch Ness — played into our hands. We were stronger paddlers, and that stage gave us the lead we needed to control the race. We stuck to our strategy of around four hours’ sleep, shortening it in the second half.”

It was far from a comfortable victory. “Endurancelife pushed us hard and led early on,” said Gracie. “It’s more satisfying to have a close race than a runaway win. It keeps you honest.”

Endurancelife crossed the line just over two hours later, in 86 hours and 40 minutes. “With so much biking, and the Loch Ness paddle, the course and weather didn’t play to our strengths,” said Nathalie Taylor. “Andrew had an Achilles injury for the last day, and we had major problems with my bike — but that’s racing!” Teammate Furlong added, “We did the best we could and were learning to race together as it was our first time as a team.”

At the finish, both teams were handed Durty Brewing beers and slices of hot pizza before slipping away to well-earned sleep. Third-placed Rachel’s Irish Adventures, still battling the course, are expected to arrive around ten hours later to complete the podium.

Article courtesy and adapted from Rob Howard, Sleepmonsters.