Two Polk County athletes combined their respective talents to win the team division in Saturday’s annual Jerry’s Baddle, an event that combines two of the area’s best-known physical challenges.

Kayaker Chris Roberts and bicyclist Greg Junge turned in the best time (1:59:27) in the team competition, and the best overall time. The event features kayaking through the challenging and dangerous Green River Narrows, and a 26-mile road bicycle race that includes 1,000 feet of elevation gain in the two-mile switchback section of Green River Cove Road, a steep climb on Holbert Cove Road, plus a route through Saluda. Cyclists gain 4,000 feet of elevation over the route.

Second place in the team competition went to kayakers Cameron Thacker and Phillip Martin, both from the Asheville area, who completed the dual course in 2:02:56.

Solo overall male winners were, from first through third place: Adam Herzog (2:00:14), James Kodras (2:05:05) and Eric Strittmatter (2:05:39), all from Asheville.

Erin Savage of Boone was the solo overall female winner, with a 2:25:39.

Organizers note that Jerry’s Baddle (combining bicycling and paddling) “is a dual sport race that began in 2006 to honor a good friend, Jerry Beckwith, who had been diagnosed with ALS. The race was born out of a desire to keep his spirit and passion alive by raising money to help fight the disease that took his life, and to foster the community he loved.”

In the nine years (not including Saturday’s event), Jerry’s Baddle has raised over $55,000 for the North Carolina ALS Catfish Hunter Chapter, and over $1,000 for the Green River Access Fund. Individual racers who recruit $150 in donations receive free registration, while teams that recruit $250 in donations also earn free registration.

The four-mile whitewater section begins on the Green River at the mouth of Big Hungry Creek/River and ends at Wilderness Cove Tubing (WCT), Green River Cove Road, outside Saluda. Bicycle racers begin and end at WCT, gaining over 4,000 feet in elevation over the 26-mile course. WCT hosts the event.

Organizers Bruce and Michelle Saucier note that, “Wilderness Cove Campground provides us with a wonderful venue for the event. We are grateful for the many generous donations and sponsors including Oskar Blues Brewing, Astral, Nature’s Storehouse, Green River Adventures, and our Chef, Svend Deal.”