MULTISPORT

3,400 adventure racers heading to South-West, Western Australia

By Rapid Ascent

An impressive field of over 3,400 competitors are set to compete at the upcoming 2015 Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Fest on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November.

The Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Fest is recognised as the world’s biggest adventure race. The event takes place amidst the wild landscapes of Augusta, South West, Western Australia, and consists of four off-road disciplines: trail running, ocean swimming, ocean paddling and mountain biking.

This year will be the 10th year of this iconic event and competitors will come from across every Australian state and territory as well as three other countries - New Zealand, China and America - to experience the awesome event atmosphere, to race the challenging course and to try to stake a claim in the massive $20,000 cash prize pool.

The premier event of the weekend is the Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race on Sunday - a 56km multidiscipline off-road race with over 1,800 competitors tackling a 12.5km coastal run, 1.9km ocean swim, 13km ocean paddle, 26km mountain bike and 2.5km beach run to the finish.

Last year the Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race was won by internationally renowned adventure racer Braden Currie from New Zealand.


Photo courtesy of Rapid Ascent

“I’ve now won this event 3 years in a row and I couldn’t turn down the chance to defend my title. I think it’s an awesome event. The run is super technical and it’s a pretty epic start out on the point at the lighthouse,” said Braden Currie.

This year, the full course Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race will also incorporate the Australasian Multisport Championships. This prestigious championship is administered and awarded by Multisport New Zealand and were held in Rotorua in New Zealand between 2011 and 2013. It came to Australia and the Lorne Adventure Fest in 2014 and will be contested at the Augusta race this year.

Braden Currie happens to be the current Australasian Multisport Champion so will be defending that title as well. Age category Championship titles are also up for grabs.

The Augusta Adventure Race also incorporates the Trans-Tasman Trophy, a battle between the best adventure racers from Australia and New Zealand. Each nation has three designated competitors, all of whom compete as individuals, and the nation with the lowest cumulative team time is the winner.

Representing Australia will be Elizabeth Dornom (2014 female winner), Jarad Kohlar and Mark Padgett. Last year the Australian team secured the trophy so they’ll no doubt be fighting hard to retain it.

“I had the honour of representing my country last year and we took out first place, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to defend the trophy again this year,” said Victorian-based Jarad Kohlar.

The Australian Team will be up against a strong contingent from New Zealand, consisting of experienced adventure racers Sam Clark and Simone Maier, and newcomer Hayden Wilde.

As well as the full course Adventure Race, the festival includes a half-distance Augusta Mini Adventure Race and the Augusta Junior Survivor for kids, which are both held on Saturday.


Photo courtesy of Rapid Ascent

The Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Mini Adventure Race provides a pathway into the sport and was created especially for novices and intermediate adventurers who might be a bit overwhelmed by the main race. The 27km course provides similar off-road adventures as the full distance adventure race but in a smaller, bite sized version that’s less intimidating.

The Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Junior Survivor is a 4km super fun running and obstacle challenge designed for children aged up to 13 years of age. Each year it attracts a sell-out field of 900 kids who make their way around the course with laughs and smiles all the way, to the cheers of very proud parents.

There will be loads of action for spectators with a full program of racing and an Adventure Expo all weekend at the Turner Caravan Park with race commentary, food vendors and kids’ entertainment.

Find out more at www.AugustaAdventureFest.com.au

Competitor overview - Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race

• Youngest solo competitor – 14 year old Georgia from Palmyra
• Oldest solo competitor – 72 year old Colin Bailey from Gulgong, NSW
• Oldest relay competitor – 74 year old Peter Lane

“I completed the mini Augusta adventure race last year and amazingly came 2nd. This year I am hoping to complete the full Augusta adventure race and have just as much fun,” said Sam Perry from Tuart Hill.

“I’ve been the support crew for my husband for many years. Last year I did the run for the first time and absolutely LOVED it. Now we are doing it together again. My daughter is doing the Junior Survivor race for the 5th time this year. It’s our special family event” said Constanze Kuhn, Team SCKL Racing.

“I have completed this race as either a solo or individual 9 times, and I’m looking forward to number 10. Love the challenge and it gives me such physical direction for my training because it four disciplines and a hard race. Love it,” said Andrew Elliott from Willagee.

Competitor overview - Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Mini Adventure Race

• Youngest solo competitor - 9 year old Emilie from Margaret River
• Oldest solo competitor – 70 year old Ian Grathwaite from Duncraig

“Have been a competitor of the Augusta adventure race for a long time, but this is my first year competing with our kids in our team,” said Sarah Blunt, Team Blunty Sea Dogs.

“I am 60+ and have just taken up adventure racing and triathlons, just because I can still get my leg over a bike,” said Kim Tyler from Attadale.

“I've done this Mini Adventure race before as part of a team. My dream is to do the Mini Adventure race solo and I’m working towards my goal,” said Elizabeth Vernooy, Team Saffer Chix.

Competitor overview - Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Junior Survivor:

• Youngest competitor – 3 year old Bray from Mullaloo

“Been coming to the Adventure Fest since I was born, and this is my first time competing,” said 4 year old Mila.

“I am 5 years old and this will be my first Junior Survivor Race. I will be running with my big sister Olivia who will show me the way,” said 5 year old Ethan.