Event Overview

"Where Next?"

The location for the 2009 Mountain Designs Great Southern Adventure Race is still to be announced… but we can advise that it will include a stunning array of jaw dropping scenery, wild landscapes and environments that you’ll be so busy looking at whilst racing through that you won’t notice the lethargy in the legs or the shape of the contours.

The 2009 event will also be more beginner / intermediate friendly than the inaugural event in Albany – guaranteed. We know the first event pushed the envelope a little too far so this time around we’ll be a little friendlier – maybe even the weather will cooperate a little too!

The Great Southern

Unlike the touristed coast of Western Australia's southwest which has drawn rave reviews and droves of zinc-nosed partyers, WA's 'Great Southern' has got it goin' on and has managed to remain (refreshingly) off the radar. The Mountain Designs Great Southern Adventure Race amounts to an 'all access' speed pass to some of the best coastline, old growth forests and sun-baked peaks in the country. Dead set. Granted you'll need a compass once you get there, some of the tracks lack signage, and your team mates are feral, but the journey's half the fun and making it to the finish line should be a proud accomplishment and a goal worth chasing that'll win you lifelong bragging rights.

 Two days of full-throttle racing will determine the best in the west. Mixed or single sex Teams of four with only three on the course at any one time will race over a challenging 200km course through memorable landscapes that serve up an endless visual spectacle navigating your way by foot, mountain biking, paddling and "can we do it again please!" rope work while strictly respecting the natural environment. With the sun sinking low on day one you'll make a beeline for the ritzy B&B to rendezvous with support crews and your race hardened comrades to refuel and cozy-up for some well earned z's before breaking camp at dawn for a hard-charging scramble to the finish line. High five..

How hard can it be?

Being different to more typical  'expedition length' adventure races in that it is a stage race, the Mountain Designs Great Southern Adventure Race format is faster paced but beginner friendly designed for maximum enjoyment for athletes and spectators with a high percentage of the field expected to be first-timers. Each stage consists of between 1-5hrs of non-stop racing with the team format making it more accessible to less experienced competitors as not all team members need to be on the course at the same time. The hardest part to chalking up any milestone is getting started, and finding three like-minded teammates may be the biggest challenge. The Team Mate Finder on the website homepage is a great source for finding teammates and training partners and keep an eye out for information night dates for a chance to check out your rivals and do some devious recruiting!