Climbing into Adventure

Day 2

A late night last night and with a wake up call of 5.30am I suprised at how much energy I had this early in the morning - which was lucky as I had a 'warm up ride' from Elwood to the Docklands as the trains don't run that early on a Sunday!

With our our map covered in post it flags & instructions highlighted, we started the day at 7.30am with a run around Harbour Town which helped split the 200 person pack. A navigation challenge was next which involved looking at photos and finding where they were in Harbour Town - this helped you solve a puzzle which in turn allowed you to pick up your bike and head off for the rest of the day. Although we came in towards the back of the pack in the run, we blitzed this challenge and made up quite a few places.

Racing out of town towards the MCG our first novelty checkpoint was pushing Sal around in a rubber tube. Down to the bike tracks along the Yarra, Sal found herself in a long, dark, muddy drain pipe with no torch to get the next one. A quick climb along the Burnley Rock Climbing wall saw us riding towards St Kevin's boat sheds. As Fe and Sal went for a quick paddle up the river, I studied the map and spoke to the locals. This proved to be very handy as I discovered a short cut to take me to the next checkpoint I had to collect on foot.

Collecting random checkpoints along the Monash Trail, we came out at the Velodrome in Hawthorn and on to the Hockey field where we had to get a goal to continue (it's harder than you think). The previous day's rain meant that we didn't have to complete the planned swim across the river, instead, we stayed dry for a little longer and made our way to Caulfield Racecourse.

Bikes were parked and after a quick abseil down the side of the grandstand, the next hour was spent collecting checkpoints on foot around the Racecourse. Back on the bike and we headed to Princes Park in Brighton, before the rain started pouring again just as we entered Brighton Cemetery. I had some luck at this checkpoint and found it immediately which allowed us to overtake a few teams.

Collecting checkpoints on our way towards Elsternwick, we were soon at Elwood Fish & Chip shop for a compolsory potato cake and chips. The ride down Acland Street in St Kilda must have been entertaining for the public as we had to find the 'Rat' having coffee somewhere along the road. Up Canterbury Road and we were soon at MSAC. Arriving we were told to go to the Basketball courts and we were releaved that this meant no getting wet in the pool. A quick shot at goal and we went to our next clue .......... which told us to make our way to the diving pool! Off we went and Sal raced up to jump off the 7 meter platform. Fe and I were soon asked what we were doing just watching and instructed that we each had to jump off. Now i am not afraid of heights, but standing up there was really quite scary!

Back on the bikes and again it didn't matter that we were wet from the pool as it was pouring rain. Up Beaconsfield Parade we made our way to Westgate Park and the long stretch down Lorimer Street heading back to the finish line. Racing as hard as we could as we knew we had a good chance of winning, we came into Harbour Esplanade just as the sun started shining.

The hour wait for presentations was quickly filled with drying out our shoes and socks, drinking a well earned beer and trying not to get too excited at the fact that we may have come first. Soon enough though, we heard TEAM SAFIKI announced in first place and we were extatic. A new pair of Merrell shoes and a magazine subscription to Outer Edge - what an amazing way to complete our first ever Rat Race.


View Rat Race 2009 in a larger map

Tips for Climbing into this Adventure:

• if you have the time, use Google maps to become familiar with the areas where checkpoints are located
  
• clearly mark out checkpoints on your map for easy reading on whilst on the bike
• give one person the responsibility of navigating. One person the responsibility of collecting checkpoints. The other person can be an assistant to both, keeping and eye out overall
• be prepared to do things that you wouldn't normally do
  
• try not to get too caught up in 'race mode'. Make sure you enjoy the scenery and the time with your mates
  

Day 1

Rat Race 2009 certainly put on a fantastic show.

Starting at 4pm Saturday afternoon, we were handed our maps and clue sheets and planned our attack of retrieving as many of the 33 checkpoints we could between the hours of 5pm & 8pm.

The starting gun went off before we knew it and 150 people started running down Harbour Esplanade and around the Docklands. My team mates (Sally & Fe) and I went to the footy challenge first where Sal was a star and scored an easy two goals. A quick climb up the rock tower in the new Anaconda store in South Wharf and we found ourselves running into the heart of the city. The rain started pouring and our next check point of ‘finding the rat’ turned into finding a 'drowned rat'. Some checkpoints in the city were only available during certain times within the three hour period, and our strategic planning at the start of of race saw us successfully retrieving many of them. Heading north to the City Baths we expected that at least one of our team would have to get wet at this checkpoint, but as they told us that all three of us had to go for a dip, we were a little suprised. Jumping in almost fully clothed, it didn’t matter too much as running to our next checkpoint was done in the pouring rain and you wouldn’t have even known we had been in a pool.

Back towards the Docklands we had to be at the “Say Cheese” checkpoint between 7.15 – 7.17. Having a group photo taken earned us 100 points and we ran back to Waterfront City to get as many of the remaining checkpoints we could in the final 30 mins. Eating a spicy pizza, tightrope walking, a bit of ice skating and pushing a 4WD car around a rooftop car park filled up the final time.


Checking in our time card at 8pm, we were told that we achieved a total of 850 points out of a possible 1050, putting us in FIRST PLACE in the womens teams (and 9th overall).

Before we left for the night, we received our maps and instruction booklet for the following day. It was going to be a long night studying the info and picking our route, but I knew it was going to be worthwhile.

----------------------------------------

Tips for Climbing into this Adventure:

• take your time in the planning stage - read instructions very carefully as you can easily miss things when you are out running
• clearly communicate to both team mates directions and ideas
  
• know your team mates strengths and weaknesses. Work together to ensure everyone has a great time
  

Sunday 11th October staged a gorgeous day for the 2009 St George Melbourne Marathon.

Starting by the banks of the Yarra on Batman Avenue, Zeljko and Jason were the first to set off at 7am for their Marathon (42.1km) run. At 7.30am, myself, Charity, Glenn, Hunor, Chris, Ruth & Howard started our 10km race and were the first group to run to the finish line in the MCG around an hour later. 8am saw the half marathoners (21km) start and Ed, Caroline, Bryony, Adam, Jasna, Lorna and Tom made their way to Albert Park before merging with the returning Marathon runners on their way back to the MCG. At 10.30am whilst Jason and Zeljko were still out on their marathon course, Jen, Sam & Lilian set off for their 5km walk. We also had 9 friends of LP staff who ran various distances.

As a team, Lonely Planet performed extremely well with the following results:
Half Marathon - 7th out 24 (in the social category)
10k race - 8th out of 26 (in the social category)


We were even more excited about the true nature of this event – raising funds for the Angkor Children’s Hospital in Cambodia. We are proud to announce that with the Planet Wheeler Foundation’s matching contribution, we will be donating $14,547 to this children’s hospital. This is such an amazing result and we have you and all the runners’ family and friends to thank for this.

Gillwell Park Recreation Camp in Gembrook was the HQ for the 2009 Teva Adventure Series. A chilly 7.30am arrival saw teams checking in and receiving their maps and check point clues.

To help with warming up, the start time for your team was determined by your result in a Beep Test - if you reached Level 11 you were to start at 9am - anything less than that you started at 9.05am.

Our original Lonely Planet team of 3 became a team of 2 LPers and 1 ex-LPer as Sam injured herself a few days before the race. At 9am, Adam, Damian and myself raced off on our mountain bikes for a whole two minutes before we had to stop and wait for the long queue of riders to ride/slide down the muddy hill, cross the creek and push our way up the hill on the other side. This prepared us for the mud we would encounter for the rest of the day. Poor Damian wasn't feeling to well and after pushing on for 45mins (and vomiting 3 times along the way), arriving at Transition #1, he decided it was time to go back to HQ and rest.

Transition was the time for group challenges and after Adam and I ran off down the fire trails collecting clues and solving a puzzle, we set off back on the bikes. In this leg of the race we decided to do a bit of a 'detour' and climb some hills we didn't necessarily need to climb (in other words, we got a little lost). Back on track, we bush bashed in a few places and arrived at Transition #2. Here our challenge was to listen to TV show theme songs and write down the answers. Even though I only managed to get 6 out of 8, the marshall let us go.

The last mountain bike leg involved a lot of Adam running into thick scrub to find the check points and me carefully studying the map so we knew our way back to HQ. Once there, we found pale-looking Damian who helped us on the next team challenge of making a 'storm proof tent' from tarp, poles and rope.

Giving the legs a bit of a rest, we were off on the run leg of the race with 5 hours already under our belt. The first checkpoint involved a quick canoe, then we followed the map running up, down and around some hills. We soon found ourselves at an obstacle course involving cargo nets, tyres, squeezy tubes and the most fun one of all.......crawling on your hands and knees through 30cm of muddy water! In slishy sloshy shoes we ran to the last few checkpoints before making our way to the finish line at HQ.

How to climb into this adventure:
-----------------------------------

• visit Teva Adventure Series to get more info on the race

• familiarise yourself with how to use a compass - this will help you confirm you are going in the right direction to a checkpoint (or help you find your way if you get lost)

• for an event like this which can take up to 6 hours, ensure you rehydrate and eat along the way

• remember to HAVE FUN

Sun, sand & surf

Off road Triathlon #2 and this time it was on the coast – where I feel more at home – and to help matters, Chris was doing this one with me.

After my ‘incident’ in the water at Lysterfield (see earlier post), my apprehension of the water was even greater. The day before this race, I went for a swim at Torquay to accustom myself to swimming in the ocean with goggles. So many people said I should be more scared of swimming in the ocean because of the sharks, but I felt safer in the ocean, away from the eels and reeds of the lake (yes, I know this is strange but its just the way my mind works).

A cold, frosty morning certainly did the job of waking us up as we registered and set up at transition. The walk down to the beach and the start line, and again, I found myself one of the few people not wearing a tri wetsuit (Chris was in his surfing wetsuit which was a good alternative). But this time, I was surrounded by 160 people as this race was doubled at the Victorian off-road Triathlon Championships.

The starter gun went off and this time I took my time getting into the water. As the waves crashed over us, I was doing ok, until the time came to start the freestyle. A quick moment of fear, but then Chris calmed me down and swam beside me so I did a bit better than last time! Still…..the swim is certainly not a strong point due to my fear of seeing was lies beneath the water.

A run up the beach from the water to transition and ready for the mountainbike. First 50m and through the water in the inlet. On my new $15 mountain bike, I raced along the track which seemed easier than Lysterfield. The uphills I passed people, but then quickly got overtaken on the downhills – I think I really need some more experience/training in downhills. On one downhill section I was glad to be going slower than normal as a large kangaroo hopped across the track only 2m in front of me. The last stretch took us back onto the beach and back to transition for the 6km run leg.

This run leg started with along the beach for a kilometre, then up, up and up the clifftops for a scenic but undulating run. As I peered down to the beach through a glimpse in the trees, I saw runners heading back towards the finish line. My turn soon came to reach the beach and the next 2km was on the sand. What a gorgeous way to finish the race (I kept telling myself this). After running up the now full inlet I was greated by Chris to cheer me across the finish line. A much better way to finish the race.

A day after the race, I went to spend my $50 voucher I won at the Lysterfield on some new triathlon gear (no, not a wetsuit) but a nice race top and pants, ready for my next race at the You Yangs (which doesn’t have swim leg!) on 24th May.

TOTAL TIME - 02:11:39
SWIM (including transition) - 18:25
RIDE - 01:11:11
RUN - 42:02

-------------------------------------------

How to climb into this adventure:

• visit the Tri X Series website: http://www.trixseries.com/index.php

• ensure you cross train and do at least 1 session a week in riding, swimming, running, gym to build both strength and fitness

• if possbile, find a training partner - its a lot more fun and you will push yourself further in each training session

• visit Sleep Monsters website to find other adventure races on within Australia

-------------------------------------------

Off road Adventure Racing at its best

My first off-road triathlon began bright and early at 5.30am on a Sunday (who gets up that early on a Sunday!). Big breakfast and big nerves started the day followed by the drive out to Lysterfield.

Arriving early (as I always do), registration on the beach was completed and I wheeled my bike to set up in transition. As a newbie to this type of racing, it’s easy to get psyched out by the competition, especially when you are there on your own! Wetsuits, special triathlon gear, transition boxes, etc made me feel even more out of my league…..but hey, I am in it for the fun and adventure, certainly not to win it. I came into this race, with 2 goals. #1 – to not be the last girl to finish, #2 – to do the race under 2.5 hours.

9am drew closer as did the start of the race. Lining up with the other 110 competitors, I looked around to find I was one of only 10 people that weren’t in a specialised triathlon wetsuit! Yep, this psyched me out even further, but tried to remember why I was here! The gun went off and into Lysterfield Lake we went for the 500m swim. Now, I have no problem swimming 500m in a nice, clean lap swimming pool, but Lysterfield Lake is a little different, hence the panic attack that I endured. 20m into the water and it began…..shortness of breath, frozen limbs, panic! Looking around me there were a hundred pink swimming caps bobbing around and arms and legs splashing everywhere. I looked behind and to my surprise I wasn’t coming last….there were actually people doing worse than me! Determined to keep going, I kept trying to swim, but still couldn’t breathe. The ungraceful breast stroke came out as I tried to regain my breath and composure. I wasn’t going to give up. The buoys seemed so much further away than they looked from the start line, but I eventually got to the turn-around point. More breaststroke, followed by backstroke and I had gained a bit of composure to crank out the desired freestyle. 500m later and I was back to the safety of open air and sand between my toes. Not a fun start to the race.

Transition area was a buzz as I took my time putting my shoes on and jumping on my mountain bike. Up and around the Lysterfield track, I reached the 5km mark and thought something must be wrong – surely I have done more than only 5kms. Single track riding continued as we hit the up and down hills, then part of the Commonwealth Games track (which I did at a snail’s pace having no mountain bike experience). Passing the ‘koalas’ in the trees (well…..actually they are teddy bears that someone has placed in trees along the path), brought a welcomed smile to my face and the end of the 22km bike section was coming to an end.

Pulling into transition, ready to start the 6.5km run, I smiled as I witnessed people crossing the finish line – yep…..this was the part where I reminded myself again I wasn’t in it to win it, just enjoy myself and not come last. Off I went for a run around the lake, chasing down a girl in front of me so I knew there was a guarantee I wouldn’t be last! As I tried to run faster, my legs just wouldn’t move any quicker, so I stuck at a pleasant pace and managed to pass her. The open stretch across the dam wall and I could see the finish line. 100m run on soft squishy sand was the final push and as I ran through the finishing banners, I raised my hands in excited looked around……and was met by no-one (a bit of an anti-climax to the end of my first adventure race). As I patted myself on the back, I turned around and saw a girl run in only 30seconds behind me (then later followed by another 3 girls).

As I sat on the hill, eating my free sausage in bread whilst waiting for the presentation ceremony, I realised that I had achieved all I had set out to do:
Goal 1 – not be the last girl = ACHIEVED
Goal 2 – do the race in under 2.5 hrs = ACHIEVED

Insider's View

Hobart Urban Challenge

Walk/Run = 4.5km
MTB = 22km
Abseil = Wrest Point Casino
Walk/Run = 3km


Breakfast and news from Mark that he had in fact broken his leg, but he sent his encouragement that the race still must go on and that all should enjoy their finals day racing in Hobart.

This morning was a surprise for competitors as we dropped them off to the boat in Port Arthur - they were to take the more scenic route and ferry it over to Hobart whilst we took the buses on a 100km road journey. As we arrived at the dock at Wrest Point Casino, race organisers realised that with the current weather conditions, maybe this was not the best idea. Cold, wet athletes stood around with no way to get warm, other than jump in the buses with the heater of full strength - but not before they all listened to the morning race briefing about what to expect for the day.

The drive up to the top of Mt Wellington was mostly in the fog and as athletes got changed into their gear in the buses, it was the quickest mass start of the race due to the strong winds. Running down the hill to the Springs BBQ area and a quick transition to the mountain bike. One of my team was showing signs of dehydration so he took the bus with me back to Wrest Point Casino for transition number 2. Riders came through and followed my wonderful arm swinging directions as I told them which way to go. Standing on the traffic island at the front of Wrest Point Casino, I had a fantastic view as competitors raced up the stairs to the top of the building, hooked themselves into a rope, then abseiled down the side of the building. A great sight to see. Once each person had done this, it was only a few kilometers run to the finish line in Salamanca Place.

As my duties of traffic director still were required, I was unable to get to Salamanca Place to see many of the teams cross the final finish line. I was still at the Casino when the first team actually returned after running back to the casino to get changed (obviously they hadn't done enough exercise over the past 5 days)! Luckily, my traffic island duties were no longer needed and I was able to drive to Salamanca to see two of my teams cross the finish line in style.

That night, the Gala Dinner was held on Hobart wharf and competitors, volunteers, supporters, and all others involved in the Mark Webber 2008 Challenge celebrated in style as they looked back and congratulated themselves on what they had achieved over the past 5 days.

And the winners were:
2theXtreme Cup (teams of 2 professional) = 1st Red bull
Van Diemen Cup (teams of 2 corporate) = 1st Telstra
Ambassadors Cup (3 day race) = Datacom

Highlights of Climbing into this Adventure:

• being surrounded by inspirational athletes who push their bodies to their limits and achieve amazing things
• spending 6 days traveling in Tasmania, seeing some of the most amazing scenery
• being part of a wonderful charitable event and assisting Mark Webber and his team raise money for Leukaemia Foundation and Save the Tassie Devil Appeal
  

Insider's View

Port Arthur Stage

Walk/Run = 15km
MTB = ?
Kayak = 7.3km

The misty morning brought the crisp air as we woke to the wet (but very green) surroundings. A short bus drive to the start line at Waterfall Bay and today competitors were given a briefing by not only the race director, but also from Park Tasmania represenative. A mandatory walking section was required as a section of this run leg took competitors past some eagle's nests (it is common for mothers to fly away and abandon their babies if disturbed). As the clifftop run brought athletes onto the magestic Fortescue Bay, we were all hoping that the two Papua New Guinea boys would be first to hit the sand......and they certainly were. Stopping off to eat an apple on the way, the boys happily 'strolled' down the beach to many cheers and high fives to be the first into Transition 1. The first run leg brought a couple of injuries to ankles, with one person needing us to transform the drinks tub into a large ice bucket.

Whilst we were waiting for the last teams to come through transition, we heard the horrible news that someone had been hit by a car. We didn't know who it was until about 30mins later, when it was revealed it was Mark Webber. It was very, very sad news to hear. As he was airlifted to hospital, we knew he was in the best of care and we had to try and continue on as normal for the rest of the days racing as competitors were out on their bike leg.

Due to the weather, the planned kayak leg was cancelled and the bike leg extended, but still making it a short day. The first teams to arrive back to camp warmed themselves up with a nice shower and clean clothes and as soon as the last team arrived, a group briefing was conducted. The race director informed all competitors of Mark's accident and a sombre vibe filled the room. As we all took came to terms with this bad news, in true adventure race style the day's racing was not over yet. The sky had cleared a little and it was now time to get out on the water for a kayak leg (this was one time that coming in last was a bit of an advantage as you were still in your wet, muddy gear and didn't have to get changed out of your warm clothes).

Trying to find a temporary kayak partner for Dave Crawshay (Scott Brennan was out with a wrist injury) proved to be harder than I thought......with one of the volunteers luckily putting their hand up to do the two laps of a course out on the water. Strong winds tested the athletes arm strength, whilst the test for us Hosts was to figure out how to stay warm in the wind and rain (I found hiding behind a large bin worked quite well). As kayakers came into shore (after paddling under the middle section of a catamaran) they had a very small run across the grass and they were through the finish line for the (real) end of Day 4.

Highlight of Climbing into this Adventure:

• spending a few hours on Fortescue Bay
• watching the PNG boys come first on the run leg

Insider's View

Launceston Gorge Stage

MTB = 35.5km
Gorge net, cliff jump, rope work, bridge climb
White water rafting


Today was the morning I was initiated to the wake up call. Ben (another host) had been doing this the last few mornings and I had to see it for myself. His big booming voice sang (badly) and woke the tired athletes. As we walked around and shook the tent, Ben would not stop nagging until people either spoke to him, yelled out, abused or in some cases, threw water bottles at his head! Was great to watch.

An early departure and pack up of camp as we drove to Launceston Country Club for Day 3 of racing and to meet the fresh new competitors in the Ambassadors Cup (3 day race). As some hosts took on more athletes (including Glenn Archer and Dan McPhearson), we closely watched them speed off for their long mountain bike ride.

A quick bus shuffle to transition at Launceston Gorge where things were very busy. As we now had an extra 16 competitors, host duties stepped up a notch. Bikes came into transition and we either ran the bikes to the trailer, directed to transition bags (which were not as easily laid out in the small area available), filled up camel backs or delivered food to tired athletes.

Competitors ran down to the gorge where they had one of the more interesting sections of the race – flying fox, rope climbing across the rapids. Soon enough they found themselves IN the rapids as they completed a white water rafting run of the Tamar River.

Buses parked at the bottom, we didn’t wait for our designated teams this time as we had a long drive to Port Arthur. I found this a great experience as I had a whole 10 new people to get to know and listen to their amazing adventures. Just as we left Launceston, a storm hit and there was so much rain. Driving around unknown roads, for 5 hours, with ‘strangers’ in the van (that I wasn’t used to driving), certainly put me out of my comfort zone, but I loved it. We stopped off at Meadowbank Winery on the way for a warm coffee, muffin, seat in front of the open fire, and of course a taste test (well, not for me as a responsible driver of ten very important athletes).

Arriving at Port Arthur and so many original plans had changed due to the bad weather. Organisers, hosts and competitors all had so much new information floating around, it was often very confusing, but all part of outdoor adventure racing! The camp ground was flooded so athletes were ‘upgraded’ to our hostel type accommodation as we were shifted down to the caravan park a few kms down the road.

Dinner in one of the halls of Port Arthur Historic Site was a great experience.......and the buffet was mind blowing. This was one of the best nights for me as a Host as we drank the amazing Devils Corner Pinot and ate like absolute Kings. Partly this was because I had great company, but partly because we actually got locked in the building for 1 hour at the end of the night whilst the Ghost Tour of Port Arthur was taking place (there was only about 10 of us left at this stage). Yep – night life of a Host is certainly enjoyable!


Highlights of Climbing into this Adventure:

• watching water bottles getting piffed at Ben's head
  
• explaining the purpose of, and how the challenge runs to people walking by the Gorge
  
• mandatory stop at a winery
  

Insider's View

Mt Roland Stage

MTB = 11km
Walk/Run = 19km
MTB = 14km
Kayak = 6.7km


The Tasmanian rains came down over night and made for a very cold and cloudy morning. Race directors were up early and our Host briefing over breakfast informed us that the race was going to change today. The proposed 19km run up and over Mt Roland could not go ahead as the chopper would not be able to rescue if someone had an accident. Instead, a very long and uphill bike ride was scheduled. Getting this information across to 50 people, in 15 mins, who are scattered throughout a 300m radius proved to be a bit of a challenge. Needless to say, there was a bit of confusion, but all worked out in the end.

As some Hosts drove to the transition at the top of the mountain, a couple of us went to the next transition at Cethana Bridge, while one Host had to drive back to the campground to pick up a shoe that one of her athletes left behind!

Transition was at the base of a steep hill and my job was to wear a lovely bright yellow vest and warn people what was ahead. This was the one time I could actually tell Mark Webber to slow down and he had to listen to me!

As the bike ride proved to split the field, we found ourselves waiting for quite a while between teams arriving for their transition from bike to kayak.....so the transition goodie tub was raided by us for most of the day.

It was funny to watch as athletes dropped their bikes and ran across the road, some still in their bike shoes and helmet, and ran down the embankment and into the kayak.

Hours past and we went from rain and thermals, to singlet and sunburn. Waiting for the last team to come in at the end of the day is all part and parcel of being a host.

Drive back to Barrington to another feast and making sure that all athletes new the plan to pack up and leave Camp Barrington at 7am the next morning.


Highlights of Climbing into this Adventure:

• being in a warm dry bus whilst athletes are in the cold rain
  
• eating lots of chips and lollies
  
• telling Mark Webber to slow down
  

Insider's View


Day 1 - Cradle Mountain Stage
Kayak - Dove Lake = 4.8km
Walk/Run - Cradle Mountain = 12km
MTB - 43km



Driving competitors to the start line of the first day of racing and everyone was pretty nervous. The bus was quiet as teams sensed the beginning of a tough (but amazing) five days.

Pulling into Dove Lake car park, the Hosts unloaded their vans of competitor transition bags (a transition bag is what each competitor kept everything they needed for the day - change of shoes, socks, helmet, energy bars etc - vital components of the race). Each competitor had a race number and transition bags were generally layed out on the ground in a numbered sequence to ensure competitors could easily find their bags when coming into transition. This was one of our most important roles as a Host (get it wrong and you can have some angry athletes!)

Each day, competitors started in waves, based on their previous days results (slower teams were first to depart). As this was Day 1, organisers 'guessed' the speed of the teams based on previous years results (as many teams had returned year after year), but the day ahead would tell for sure.

The Mark Webber Challenge 2008 began with a kayak leg around Dove Lake. Collecting 10 checkpoints out on the water, competitors were back pretty quickly. As a Host, we also doubled as witches hats, crowd control, information centers, food gatherers, cheer squads (just to name a few). As athletes ran up the path, they needed to 'punch in' at the checkpoint and after a quick change of clothes, they were off running (nb: the extreme adventures didn't even stop when coming into transition).

Even though the run leg, distance wise, was only 12km, it included going up and down the summit of Cradle Mountain (which had some large snow patches, even though it was mid November). Once all competitors had come through transition after kayaking, the role of a Host becomes pretty simple - rearrange transition bags, eat, sit around, immerse yourself in the scenery whilst waiting for competitors to return. As we sat at the base of Dove Lake for a few hours, tourists arrived wondering what was going on. When we explained that there was an adventure race on, and that they were running up and down Cradle Mountain, then off for a 40km bike ride, we had many bedazzled looks! To pass the time, we started betting on who would be the first team back into transition. I lost.

Host duties called as I drove back to the Chateau to help out with the next transition. Just as I arrived, the rain started and riders went off for a 30km mountain bike through the now muddy terrain. I often felt really lazy as competitors were huffing and puffing and we sat there, at the chateau, with our lattes, warm jackets, just waiting for people to come past. I sat there thinking the life of a Host during the race wasn't as involved as I had originally thought.

As competitors returned, complete with mud in their ears and eyes, the injuries also appeared. As Cascade Green returned, my 'lazy' perception of a host soon disappeared. Swollen ankle, grazed leg and bleeding chin, David Crawshay had taken a fall and wasn't in the best shape. Using the best first aid I had, I was relieved when Medics were soon on scene. Keeping him warm, offering my beanie and dry socks was all part of being a Host!

The remaining competitors trickled in throughout the afternoon and as it was getting dark, we drove back to Camp Barrington for a well deserved feast.

Highlights of Climbing into this Adventure:

• staring at Cradle Mountain for 4 hours
• warm lattes at the Chateau
  
• Devil's Corner Pinot

Insider's View


After attending the Mark Webber Challenge 2007 finale dinner with the team from Lonely Planet, I was keen to be more involved in the amazing adventure race.

The Mark Webber Challenge is a 5 day adventure race consisting of 239km of running, mountainbiking, kayaking, ropes, and other various aspects, across parts of Tasmania including Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park, Lake Barrington, just to name a few.

This race raises funds for both the Leukaemia Foundation and the Save the Tasmania Devil Appeal.

I was lucky enough to be selected as a Team Host for the 2008 Challenge. This meant that I was responsible for 3 teams - Royal Bank of Scotland (team of 4), Europcar (team of 4) & Cascade Green (team of 2 - Olympic Rowers, Scott Brennan and David Crawshay). I drove them around, made sure they knew what was going on each day and was a contact if they had any questions about anything to do with the race.

Camp base for the first 3 days of the race was at the magestic Lake Barrington. My first job as host was to drive the 1.5hr (each way) trip from Barrington to the airport three times to pick up competitors as they arrived in Tasmania. Back at camp, they settled into their tents on the grassy field, as us volunteers felt like kings and queens sleeping in the bunk rooms.

Time for our Host meeting and a chance to shake hands with the big man - Mark Webber. It was a bit surreal sitting there, only 1 meter away and pretending I wasn't excited. I'm not a big racing fan, but to be involved in a special event like this, and have conversations with Mark, was pretty amazing.

In the afternoon there was the competitor briefing on the banks of Lake Barrington. Course descriptions were read out, safety information, meeting of the hosts and other 60 volunteers and we were ready for dinner. The dining tent was amazing, as was the food and wine catered for 150 people each night.










An early night for most of the competitors as they had a big five days coming up, but us Hosts and the other volunteers (who really didn't have to do any exercise at all) stayed up a bit later tasting the delicious Tasmanian wines and listened to each others stories.