Competitors in the Keen Adventure Race Alps to the Ocean are getting ready to race through Victoria's North East, High Country and Gippsland regions over April 8- 12 in what is widely considered one of the toughest off road races in the country.
|
 Competitors will start in the picturesque Alpine resort of Falls Creek on the Bogong High Plains, and navigate through an incredible range of landscapes and wilderness all the way to the Southern Ocean.
Racing over mountain summits well above the tree line, down remote mountain rivers, through hidden caves and deep gorges, and along stunning stretches of coastline to finish where the rivers meet the sea at Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland.
The Keen Adventure Race Alps to the Ocean will be conducted with 4 stages of racing over 5 awesome days of adventure.
The premier category will see competitors race in teams of two for the duration of the event, whilst subsidiary categories will allow a third team mate to substituted in and out of the course with only two needed to be on the course at any one time - all with the support of a much loved support crew looking after the logistics!
Stages will vary in length from a 2hour 'prologue' around Falls Creek to get competitors fired up and ready for the action ahead through to the 24-36hr stage that will push them to the limit.
Teams will get to rest between stages but it means that the slower you go the less rest you get!
The race comes together as a journey of epic proportions with race disciplines including lake, river and ocean paddling; trekking / running; mountain biking; canoeing; ropes and caving in one 400km adventure they will never forget!
Teams do not find out where the course goes until 3hrs before the start and from then on it¹s a map and compass the whole way as they navigate their way through the bush on and off a mix of 4WD, 2WD and walking tracks.
With teams racing for over $30,0000 cash and prizes many of the best adventure racers from around the world have entered including reigning Adventure Racing World Champion Richard Ussher and his wife Elina from New Zealand, along with teams coming from as far as Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil and the UK. There is also a team with members from the Police, Fire Brigade and Paramedics competing in the event for charity.
The race is also greatly appreciative of the local support for the event with Falls Creek getting right behind the event along with much needed voluntary support from the Falls Creek SES, Bairnsdale Red Cross, Parks Victoria and others.
|
|
|
MEDIA RELEASE
1 April, 2008
|
KEEN ADVENTURE RACE: WORLD¹S BEST GO BUSH IN THE VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY
|
 Nearly 100 competitors from around the world are about to embark on the epic 500km Keen Adventure Race starting at Falls Creek and finishing at Lakes Entrance. Competitors include four current, or past, world champions (all from New Zealand), plus other teams from Hong Kong, Brazil and Canada as well as most states of Australia.
They will race in pairs, with both team members having to traverse the entire course within sight of each other.
The course has 5 stages. Tuesday 8th April sees a short prologue of 2-3 hours in and around the high country at Falls Creek, Wednesday 9th involves a 9-15 hour stage from Falls Creek to Mt Beauty.
The longest stage will take racers more than a day to complete and travels from Falls Creek to Omeo, while the final stage starts at Buchan on Saturday 12th and finishes at Lakes Entrance that evening.
Adventure racing typically involves teams of between two and four kayaking, mountain biking and trekking between checkpoints placed in advance and in secret by the course designers.
Racers need to navigate using only a compass and a copy of the maps of the area.Competitors may have to travel through the night as well as completing other challenges such as rock climbing, horse riding, caving, swimming, abseiling.
The Keen Adventure Race is considered the most prestigious race of its type in Australia because of its quality international field, the difficulty and stunning scenery of the course and a prize pool of over $30,000 cash.
The Keen Adventure Race (Alps to Ocean) is the second instalment of this race, with the first edition along the Great Ocean Road in 2007 being won by New Zealanders Richard Ussher and Gordon Walker.
Both are returning this year, although Richard is racing with his wife (Finnish ex-pat Elina Ussher) and Gordon is racing with world regaining champion Chris Forne (also from New Zealand).
The main Australian contenders include Victoria Jarad Kohlar and Canberran Tom Landon-Smith racing as Team Keen, Queensland¹s Gary Sutherland (third place last year) & Rob Pomie racing as Team Mountain Designs, as well as mixed pairing Hugh Stodart and Christie Sym (New South Wales). Of the remaining internationals, 2007 mixed champions Ian Edmond (New Zealand) & Nora Audra (Brazil) will also look to win their category and find a place on the podium .
The race is proudly supported by Keen Original Hybrid Footwear, and Tourism Victoria.
For more information on the event check the event website at www.keenadventurerace.com or contact the event organisers Rapid Ascent at info@rapidascent.com.au or tel: 03 9818 2982.
|
