24 hour Troychallenge in Toverland
This weekend 12 coaster enthusiasts enjoyed the longest ERT session ever. Selected from various enthusiasts clubs in Europe, the challengers started at noon, September 11th, and they would end the endurance test at noon on the 12th, 24 hours later.
To fill the seats next to challengers, they were cut into block of 30 min, 1 and 2 hours and were sold through an internet auction. During the challenge, seats that weren't sold could be purchased by guests. All profits went to the Doe Een Wens Stichting (the dutch branch of the Make A Wish Foundation).
A little after 12:00 PM, Toverland director Caroline Maessen wished the challengers good luck and started the countdown clock as the train rolled out of the station for the first time.
I stayed until 6 PM, either cheering the challengers or riding in Troy's second train, which was riding for the regular guests. After 6, my shift started. I operated Toverland's new swing ship for the people that had purchased a seat on Troy.
My shift ended at 11 PM and before I left I took a quick spin on Troy. And the coaster was flying, 12 hours on continuous operating warmed up the coaster and it was going very fast. When I got back to the park at 6 AM (after some sleep) I heard the coaster had broken it's own speed record during the night! I also got some bad news, 3 members got sick and had to give up.
But the nine other challengers where still cheerful as ever when I joined them for my 2,5 hour block I had purchased. After my session, with still 2 hours on the clock, I remained near Troy and cheered the challengers during the last of their laps on Troy. Despite having ridden 22 hours in excellent weather conditions, two hours before the end it started to rain. Not that any of the challengers gave a damn about it, they just kept on going.
Picture property of www.troychallenge.com
Then, a little after noon the clock struck zero and after riding 353 laps, the challengers had completed their 24 hour marathon on Troy. The profits of the sold seats brought in ????????? 5645 (7265 USD) for the Doe Een Wens charity.
Picture property of www.troychallenge.com
I want to thank the organisation of the challenge, Toverland and the Doe Een Wens Stichting, every who donated, cheered, supported or something I forgot for making this possible and giving me the opportunity to join, support, work and cheer during the 24 hour challenge. And a very big CONGRATUALTIONS to the challengers, who have accomplished this amazing marathon.
Bas 'hyyyper' Houben