Climbing into Adventure

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.