Wild&Co

The ARWS Oceania Championship final will take place in the Gold Coast from 21-23rdOctober, when adventure racing teams will mountain bike, paddle, trek and navigate their way around 180km (full) or 100km (half), non-stop courses.  

The ARWS Championship category is open to teams of 4 which must be mixed sex, and the elite teams will be chasing the Oceania title, ARWS ranking points, and the ultimate prize of a paid-for place in the 2023 Adventure Racing World Championships.  There is also a cash prize pool of AUD$10,000.

The race isn’t just for the elite teams, however. The course will be designed to be achievable and accessible to all abilities, remaining open for 36 hours, and allowing teams some choices to provide short-cuts should they need them.  (2 person teams and all-male and all-female teams can also enter, but won’t be included in the ARWS championship category.)  The sport of Adventure Racing is unique in allowing the world’s best and novice teams to compete together on the same terms.

The weekend of racing also includes the shorter (half) course, which has less distance and a shorter time limit, but many of the same amazing challenges and locations.

The event will be staged by specialist race Management Company Wild&Co and Event Director Chris Dixon is excited about the partnership with the Gold Coast and the opportunities it offers to racers.

“With its majestic sub-tropical rainforest, spectacular waterfalls and cascades, pristine beaches and iconic skyline, the Gold Coast is the perfect backdrop for the inaugural ARWS Oceania Championship,” he said.  

He added. “The Gold Coast also offers visiting teams an abundance of accommodation and services for a great trip and is very accessible, by road from many population centres, or via the international airport. It’s a great location for our Championship race.”

Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, commented. “Diversifying our city’s major events calendar is critical as we navigate our way out of the global health pandemic and this high-energy, international, event fits that bill perfectly.

“The Gold Coast's varied natural landscape is the perfect location to host this tough competition and will provide the ultimate challenge for Oceania's top adventure racers. Securing this pinnacle international event reinforces our reputation as an appealing sports and events destination.”

To register visit www.arworldseriesoceania.com

ALPINE QUEST STRENGTHENS THE ARWS OCEANIA SERIES

The 2022 ARWS Oceania Series has now expanded, with the inclusion of the Alpine Quest race, which offers teams a very different location and challenge in the wilderness Alpine terrain of Victoria.  

The inclusion of the race also brings into the series the experience and expertise of Serge Kurov and Maria Plyashechko, who have organised over 30 adventure and outdoor events over the last decade.  The pair have a passion for adventure racing, and they have competed internationally all over the world; including in Patagonia, Abu Dhabi and China.

Maria commented. “We feel that the ARWS is the right community of experienced Race Directors in which we can run high quality races for our participants to enjoy. We will be a part of an established and transparent structure, with a clear vision and goals on all levels. The advantages the ARWS provides to Race Directors are well-defined and for the participants of the Alpine Quest the ARWS referee will offer an additional point of communication.

“Participants will also have a chance to gain Oceania points to participate in the ARWS regional series ranking, and to compete for the chance to be ARWS Oceania Champions in 2023.”

She added, “It’s been tough couple of years due to Covid restrictions, but we are looking forward to a new chapter with the ARWS community of Race Directors and racers.”

It’s going to be a big year for Adventure Racing with events spread across NSW, VIC and Qld which is very exciting. Especially cool to see Alpine Quest back on and the ARWS Oceania Champs locked in after two years of postponements! 

1. Explore Gippsland – 24hrs / 22-24 January 2022 / Gippsland Vic www.exploregippsland.com.au / Presented by Thought Sports

2. Terra Nova 24 – 24hrs / 2-3 April 2022 / Shoalhaven NSW www.terranova24.com.au / Presented by Wild&Co

3. Rogue 100 – 100hrs / 1-7 May 2022 / Clarence Valley NSW www.raidadventures.com/the-rogue-raid / Presented by Rouge Adventure

4. GeoQuest – 48hrs / 10-13 June 2022 / Shoal Bay NSW www.geoquest.com.au / Presented by Wild&Co

5. Hells Bells – 24hrs / 6-7 August 2022 / Sunshine Coast Qld www.hellsbells.com.au / Presented by Wild&Co

6. Mojo Raid – 12hr / 3 September 2022 / TBC, Qld www.raidadventures.com/the-mojo-raid

7. Wildside – 36hrs / 1-3 October 2022 / North Coast NSW www.wildsideadventurerace.com.au / Presented by Fully Rad

8. ARWS Oceania Championships – 36hrs / 21-23 October 2022 / Gold Coast QLD www.arworldseries.com/arws-oceania / Presented by Wild&Co

9. Alpine Quest – 48hrs / 12-13 November 2022 / Paynesville Vic www.xmarathon.com.au / Presented by Adventure Junkies

For shorter races also check out: Max Adventure: https://maxadventurerace.com.au Raid Adventures: www.raidadventures.com

And a pic from Hells Bells 2021 in Mooloolaba

There was a reduced entry due to Covid restrictions and bad weather stopping teams travelling, but 17 teams made their way to the start for the Full course and another 20 for the Half course.  They came for 48 hours of challenge and adventure, and to share those experiences with friends in some great scenery.  The motto for the Macleay Valley Coast, is ‘Discover something new’ and it offered everything a great adventure race needs; rugged coasts and headlands, bays and rivers perfect for paddling, forest and wilderness to navigate in, and some amazing trails to ride.

The race is designed to encourage everyone to have a go, so there are categories for mixed, male and female teams, with or without support crews.  The Half course has the same time limit, just less distance (150km rather than the 230km for the Full), and parts of the course are optional.  If you can organise a team of 4 like-minded mates, you can have a go at Adventure Racing at Geoquest!

Held out of Kenilworth, Queensland, the new race promised a ‘very dirty Gran Fondo’ and Race Director Chris Dixon left no one in any doubt of what was to come.  “Expect this to be tough – this event is only for those who can race and complete a hard core challenge. There will be minimal support during large sections of the event.”

The race offered two courses, a 120km route with 3000m of climb, and a 50km option with 1500m of climbing, both designed to test riders’ fitness, endurance, mental strength and spirit of adventure.

The 65 riders who turned out for the first ride of the course on Saturday May 29th were warmly welcomed to Kenilworth, and many headed to its famous bakery to fuel up before setting off under clear blue skies for the ride of a lifetime.

The race attracted a strong local entry after being rescheduled from earlier in the year, with many competitors new to adventure racing among the 53 teams who arrived to tackle either the full or half courses.   When they entered they didn’t know where the courses would go, but they came expecting an overnight adventure, combining paddling, trekking, mountain biking and map and compass navigation.

The 24 hour ‘Hells Bells’ racers started on the beach, with teams paddling across the bay to the river mouth to start an 11km stage, which took them up river.  A brisk northerly wind sprang up before the start and the racers found themselves paddling out through the surf, with some of them taking an early swim.

The new Mountain Designs Geoquest New Zealand race will take place from January 20-23th 2023, and will be based in Napier, with courses set among the stunning rivers, parks and forests of the Hawke’s Bay region.

It will follow the same format as the Australian race, with the course open for 48 hours, and teams choosing whether to complete the full ARWS course, or a shorter ‘half’ course within that time.  The race will be open to teams of 4, who must race together, navigating with map and compass through trekking, mountain biking and paddling stages, plus some other outdoor challenges.

Over 500 competitors along with their support crews, family and friends from around the country will attend the Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race from 11 to 14th June 2021.

The race is held annually on the weekend of the Queen’s Birthday in June. The location of the course is moved each year to a different area to pose exciting new challenges for competitors.

This year’s location of choice, Crescent Head, is a 4.5hr drive from Sydney and located just 45 minutes north of Port Macquarie.

Located just off the beaten path of the Pacific Highway, Crescent Head is a village characterised by the rich surfing culture that runs deep in its veins. The entire Macleay Valley Coast in which it sits features rugged coastlines, pristine waterways and a stunning hinterland, making it the perfect backdrop for a spectacular 48hr adventure.

Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Liz Campbell, said she is thrilled that Crescent Head has been selected as the start and finish location for this event.

“It’s just wonderful the Macleay Valley Coast has been recognised for the sporting playground it is. With the terrain in this area, the event is sure to be challenging but hopefully the beautiful views from the course will help time pass quickly,” said Cr Campbell. Gayleen Burley, the Manager of Commercial Business is also pleased with the location selected for this year’s event due to the potential boost for the local economy.

“We love hosting events of this size during winter as they help to stimulate the local economy during what is normally a slower time for local businesses,” said Mrs Burley.

Mountain Designs GeoQuest involves 48+hrs of non-stop endurance racing in the major sporting disciplines of trekking, mountain biking and kayaking. Mixed gender,

Male and Female teams of four must navigate their way through an arduous 220+km course that is only revealed to them the evening before the race.

The Geo-Half adventure race runs simultaneously with the Mountain Designs GeoQuest. The Geo-Half covers only half the distance but teams have the full 48hrs to complete it. The legs will be challenging but with the additional time available to complete the half course, teams have a greater chance to reach the finish line before time is up.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, race entries have been limited. The window for registration closes 6 June 2021.

Accommodation can be booked through the Macleay Valley Coast website at macleayvalleycoast.com.au/places-to-stay

For the latest information on the race please visit www.geoquest.com.au

The event is made possible thanks to major sponsor, Mountain Designs and additional support this year by Kempsey Shire Council.

Yes, Mt Buggery is very real. The first time you travel over it and through the rolling hills into Jimna you know it’s a special place and begging to be cycled. So with the increasing popularity of gravel bikes and big wheel mountain bikes 2021 seems like the right time to bring an event like the Sunday Creek Classic to life.

REGISTER NOW: www.sundaycreekclassic.cc

This event has been inspired by the great gravel events around the world, by European classics that feature wild weather and brutal courses and more recent events in America like Barry-Roubaix, Dirty Kanza and the Belgian Waffle Ride. 

Starting in the sleepy farming town of Kenilworth, the 120km, almost entirely gravel route, heads towards Kandanga and Bella Creek and then west to Jimna before returning through Sunday Creek to Kenilworth. The route takes in everything from dry eucalyptus to sub-tropical rainforest forest and open cattle grazing country. And with 3,000 meters of climbing including the notorious climb to Mt Buggery, this event will be one of the toughest one day gravel events on the Australian calendar.

The 50km course is no laughing matter either with 1,500 meters of elevation, mostly in the second half of the course. It starts out along the same trails as the 120km course and then heads west to climb the ridge-line that starts with Mt Borumba and heads south-east back into Kenilworth the hard way. 

It’s going to be tough, but nothing great comes without pushing yourself beyond what you believe is possible.

Personally, the goal of the event is two fold – firstly, I love Kenilworth and believe the area is an underrated adventure playground. As they grow, events like the Sunday Creek Classic can have a real positive impact on small town economies like Kenilworth.

The second goal is to build an event that becomes a must-do classic on the Australian cycling calendar. It will take time but I believe that region and the course have the makings of something that can become truely great.

So on behalf of the team, thank you for entering. See you out there!

Terra Nova 24 – 24hrs / 27-28 March / Shoalhaven NSW www.terranova24.com.au

Explore Gippsland – 30hrs / 9-11 April / Gippsland Vic www.exploregippsland.com.au

Rogue Raid – 24hrs / 8-9 May / Wyaralong Dam Qld www.raidadventures.com/the-rogue-rai

GeoQuest – 48hrs / 11-14 June / Crescent Head NSW www.geoquest.com.au

XPD – Expedition / 18-24 July / Cairns Qld www.xpd.com.au

Hells Bells – 24hrs / 7-8 August / Sunshine Coast Qld www.hellsbells.com.au

Mojo Raid – 12hr / 28-29 August / Somerset Dam Qld www.raidadventures.com/the-mojo-raid

XMarathon – 36hrs / 3-5 September / Paynesville Vic www.xmarathon.com.au

Wildside – 36hrs / 1-3 October / Port Macquarie NSW www.wildsideadventurerace.com.au

ARWS Oceania Championships – 36hrs / 22-24 OctoberLocation TBA / www.arworldseries.com/arws-oceania

For shorter races also check out:


It’s not a ‘race’, but it will be timed with a leader board to track progress along the way. The Beast is BYO bikes and kayaks and can be completed solo, or as a team of 2, 3 or 4. The event itself is free to participate in, although participants are required to hire a GPS tracker in order to manage safety and handle event timing.

There are two options for participants:

BYO Support Crew – handling transport to the start and moving bikes and kayaks to pre-positioned areas on the course

Supported – Wild & Co will handle transport to the start and move bikes and kayaks for a small cost to cover bus and trailer hire, transport and logistics (this is limited to 20 people)

The Course

The Beast starts at 10pm in the sleepy beach side town of Rainbow Beach with participants running 55kms along the great walk to Harry’s Hut, finishing with a quick swim across the Noosa River to access their kayaks. Paddling south along the Noosa River for 15km they pass through the everglades and Lake Cootharaba to their bikes at Boreen Point. They then use the Noosa Trails Network to cycle to Cooroy, Cooloolabin and Mapleton before descending to Yandina and Dunethin Rock. The final leg of this epic journey is a 20km kayak along the Maroochy River to finish at Cotton tree.

Run: Rainbow Beach to Harry’s Hut – 55kms

Kayak: Harry’s Hut to Boreen Point – 15kms

MTB: Boreen Point to Dunethin Rock – 90kms

Kayak: Dunethin Rock to Cottontree – 20kms

The route will be provided in two formats – a digital format (GPX File) to use with GPS devices or phones to navigate and as a downloadable PDF map at a scale of 1:25,000 with the route marked. The trail will not be marked, so basic navigation skills are required.

Event Details

Date: 10pm 30 October to 10am 1st November Start Location: Rainbow Beach, Queensland, Australia Finish Location: Cotton Tree, Queensland, Australia Duration: 36 hour event Entries: ENTRIES OPEN Team size: 1, 2, 3, 4 person Distances: Run 55kms, Kayak 35kms, Mountain Bike 90kms = 180kms Categories: Female (female, all female team members) Male (male, all male team members) Mixed (minimum one female team member) * Note: all participants must be 18 years

Cost

Participation in the event is free

GPS tracker and timing system hire (mandatory for each individual or team) – $50

Wild & Co transport to start and logistics support (max 20 people) – $100 per person

Double Kayak and bike hire is available on request

All entries close on the Thursday evening, one day before the event.

Safety

WARNING: Expect this to be tough – this event is only for those who can race and complete a hard core challenge. There will be minimal support during the event at transition areas but you will be expected to be self sufficient and carry your own gear, water and nutrition for long sections of the course!

During the event you must be aware the rescue by the organisers or emergency services may not be possible immediately. In the first instance you are responsible for yourself. Organisers have assets in place to assist, but they may not be immediately available. 

It is not practically possible to provide all the safety needed for all the possible scenarios. If you are not willing to accept this self responsibility, you should not start the race. 

If you get to a point in the course that you decide you are not comfortable and confident in completing safely, it is your responsibility to do something. If you feel the level of inherent risk is unacceptable, do something about it. Avoid it, withdraw, it is your decision. 

Safety Assets Include:

Event officials with first aid certificates and training.

Your support crew (for self supported participants)

Watercraft safety vessel including event officials

Normal access to emergency services via ‘000’.

No roads will be closed for the event. You must use extreme caution any time you are on a road. You must obey road rules at all times.

Live Web Coverage

The event will have dedicated live web site which is optimised for your mobile device. The link for this will be shared during the week before the event and linked to www.wldnco.com and www.facebook.com/wldnco

Participants and teams will carry tracking devices so the world can watch your every move while your race. Images and social media and maps of the course will also be posted to the Wild & Co social media accounts.

Recommended - Support crews should have access a smart phone or tablet, to ensure they track progress of participants or teams and know when to arrive at transitions

Equipment

Participants are to supply their own equipment to complete the course, this includes mountain bike and kayak. Participants will also be required to carry mandatory gear in order to ensure safety. The list is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rzg1alezgkp3r2g/The-Beast-Equipment-List-2020.pdf?dl=0

Support Crew

Each participant or team in the BYO support category will need a minimum of one person as a support crew. They will provide transport to the start and move equipment to pre-positioned areas on the course through out the event. They may also provide a small amount of assistance to teams at specified transition areas on the course.

SUPPORT CREWS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

Drive team to the start of the event

Deliver / retrieve team equipment (boats / bikes) to Transition Areas

Assist participant or team at specified Transition Areas on the course

Be prepared to pick participant or team up from the course if they pull out

Keep all participant or team equipment safe and secure when they are not using it

CANCELATION AND REFUND POLICY

Teams may officially cancel their entry at any stage up to midnight on the Tuesday 3 days before the event by emailing the race organisers. A refund of entry fees paid, less 10% administration fee will be made. Cancellations after this date will not be refunded. 

In the event of an “act of god” (fires, floods, etc) organisers will attempt to re-route the course, find alternate short courses or postpone the event. Organisers reserve the right to cancel the event if no suitable alternate course or the event is not possible. If the event is postponed or cancelled at any stage up to midnight on the Tuesday 3 days before the event, the refund policy will apply.

PREREQUISITES

Agree to the conditions, declarations and indemnifications outlined in the entry form for competitors.

Each participant must have Australian ambulance cover or an Australian medical insurance policy that includes ambulance cover or travel insurance covering medical costs including medical transportation for an injury sustained during competitive event or an Australian exemption or other ambulance coverage e.g. Australian Defence Force, residents of Tasmania/Queensland etc.

INSURANCE