HUMPTY DOO, NT, AUSTRALIA – U.S. Marine Sgt. Chad Elders, assigned to Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, competed and placed second in the Humpty Doo Tavern Classic cycling race on June 2.
“Some of the Australians that I cycle with told me about the race two weeks out and said that I should enter. They thought I would be very competitive, even though I’ve never raced before,” said Elders.
The Humpty Doo Tavern is a local restaurant in Australia’s Northern Territory where the 60 km. race started and finished after two laps around the Humpty Doo area.
“I was nervous due to the fact that I did not personally know the course and that the other 25 racers all knew each other and have race experience,” said the Sebring, Fla. native.
Elders, a store manager with Marine Corps Community Services, is an avid cyclist who rides regularly with the local cycling community in the Northern Territory.
“Cycling is my stress reliever and also burns a ton of calories. To finish second in my first-ever race, on a course I knew nothing about, was very surreal to me. I was pretty stoked that I rode with a lot more experienced riders and still finished where I did. This was my first race and I beat out 30 other people.”
After taking second place in the Humpty Doo Classic, Elders signed up for another race called the Bark Hut Classic, a total distance of 80 km. Good Luck, Sergeant!