The Wild Onion

It will make you cry.

Dateline: Chicago, Illinois

September 21, 2001 - 5:15pm
There was calmness in the air at the start of the 24-hour Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race. 62 coed teams of three stood united while reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag at the North Avenue Beach House. The race was dedicated to victims of the terrorist tragedy on September 11th.

Teams representing thirteen states stood bravely at the start line with the hopes and dreams of finishing or even winning a piece of the $25,000 purse prize. Their 110-mile adventure began with a 1/2 mile run to Oak Street Beach, followed by a 1.5-mile canoe portage to North Pier. The race continued through the night and into the better part of Saturday as teams made their way through the course canoeing 12 miles on the Chicago River, trekking and running 9 miles to various Chicago landmarks, pushing scooters 16 miles up the Lakefront Path, cycling along the Des Plaines River Trail, orienteering through the Miami Woods Forest Preserve, kayaking 11 miles on Lake Michigan, inline skating, coasteering along the lakefront, traversing and rappelling off the Navy Pier Towers, and finishing with a 1.5 mile trek to the North Avenue Beach House.

Team Karhukopia of Finland defended their Wild Onion title and won in just over 19 hours. They were awarded free entry in the Chicago Onion after winning the race in Stockholm this year. They won the race and overcame the challenges of a 16-hour flight, an eight-hour time difference and a few challenges with the English translation.

World-class triathlete Mike Pigg of Team Beaver Creek placed second by 25 minutes in his first attempt at adventure racing. "There is so much to digest," said Pigg as he reflected with his teammates Mike Kloser, Eco Challenge winner and Danelle Ballangee, elite triathlete.

Team Ford Outfitters, Rob Harsh, Trent Armstrong and Kathy Bullard of Chicago finished in third place. Danny Suter, Mike Ehredt and Cammy Ronchetto of Team Celebrex/Shaklee finished close behind in fourth place.

Nine teams of the 62 that began the grueling journey completed the race. "That was the hardest thing I've ever done," said Tonna Reinhold, a first-time racer. "We can't wait until next year!" A mixed field of competitors included world-class athletes to doctors, police officers and pediatricians. All of who earned the chance to experience the adventurous side of Chicago.

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