Untamed New England Adventure Race

Team SOG hails from Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia. Toby Angove and Brian Mayer are also known as The Twin Towers or The Twin Turbines depending on who you ask! They got these names due to the fact that they can see over mountains to determine the best route and can produce the horsepower equivalent to a nuclear power plant. There is a decent chance that Scott Pleban made the maps the race will be using as he lives in the backwoods of New England; he also comes out to race every once in a while. Kristin Eddy is the team photographer; she adds about 10 miles to each race in order to get pictures of all the flowers, rivers, and mountains they come across. She always has a smile on her face, even after she performs one of her famous “Fireroad Faceplants.”

Team SOG The team decided to register for Untamed New England in part due to the fact that it is part of the East Coast Adventure Racing Series and has become one of the premiere expedition races in the country. As the current USARA National Champions they are looking forward to competing against the best international teams in the sport.

Team SOG is comprised of experienced adventure racers with finishes in races from local sprints all the way up to international expedition length events.

Scott is the "not so secret" weapon, not only having completed many other expedition and shorter races in the New England area, but also having won the Untamed New England race in 2009!

Outside of AR Toby is a member of the US Army Marathon team; Brian competes in orienteering at the regional and national level in the offseason; Kristin is an elite female ultra-runner; and Scott paddles, orienteers, and skis–he also competes in ski orienteering on the USA national team in the offseason.

Team SOG The team in general is most excited about the true backcountry course with rugged terrain that will no doubt require spot on navigation. Brian looks forward to sharing a tent with Toby, Kristin is looking forward to taking many pictures of the scenic views, and Scott looks forward to adding more maps to his collection. They all hope to get some sleep, if possible!

Over the years, Team SOG has continued to grow and mature as a group. They enjoy running, biking, and paddling with each other on and off the racecourse and although they race hard they never forget to have a good time! With an excellent season last year, winning the East Coast Adventure Racing Series and the USARA National Championship, SOG hopes to carry some of that success into 2012 and bring the success to an international level here at the Adventure Racing World Series qualifier.

Team SOG The team has been so successful in large part due to the fact that they work together and utilize each team member’s strong points while trying to balance out their weaknesses. With great communication, cohesion, and teamwork they aim to be smooth on the course and in transitions. Three of the racers have orienteering experience and could be lead navigators but find working together to find their way and keep each other going is a big key to their success.

In preparing for adventure races, SOG makes it a point to do team training in Ohiopyle, PA once or twice a year. Here they get a chance to run, ride, paddle, and play together. Just prior to each race the team also always has team meals and, if they can, try bringing baked goods and food from home. Right before the race SOG also likes to give Toby’s bike saddle a kiss . . . not really. Like other teams, they also spend as much time possible working on the maps.

The name “SOG” name comes directly from a very supportive sponsor of over two years, SOG Knives and Specialty Tools. Being durable, quick, lightweight and sharp, the team states they are the best knives and tools for Adventure Racing. Each team member carries one while racing. In past races they have kept the team from having to DNF because of mechanicals and have saved them in other scenarios.

Team SOG Finally, from the team directly:

"Our sponsors make racing possible for us. Not only do they produce the best racing gear from knives to lights to shoes to bikes to clothes to food to watches to bags, but they support us and our goals as a team. American Adventure Sports also plays a key part in our success and works hard to promote the sport of adventure racing. We would like to give a big shout-out and Thank You to American Adventure Sports, SOG, Darn Tough, Scott, Princeton Tec, Greenlayer, Honey Stinger, Switch Eyewear, Soleus Running, Headsweats, Kigo Footwear, Zensah, OutThere USA, Grand Trunk, Liberty Bottle Works, Elete Electrolyte, and Cablz.

We can’t wait for the challenge and look forward to spending some time in the woods together. Good luck to all the other teams and we hope everyone has a great race. See you on the course."