When: 9th - 10th October, 2010 Race HQ: Denmark / Walpole region, Western Australia Mission: 2 days of stage racing covering approx 200km of spectacular terrain Disciplines: Running, mountain biking, ocean/river paddling, navigation and rope work Categories: Premier mixed, other teams (all male & all female) Format: Teams of 4, with only 3 on the course at any one time Translation: Load the car with all the toys, add three mates, head south, marinate two days, and serve – exquisite!
This is a race designed for your adventurous types… it’s a race where you’ll run, mountain bike, paddle, abseil and explore your way along a spectacular course with a few friends. It’s a race that’s designed to mix a bit of a physical challenge, with a fair bit of adventure, with some awesome terrain and lot of wow factor. This is what all adventure races should be like.
The Mountain Designs Adventure Race is unlike most other ‘long’ adventure races as it is broken into a number of shorter, faster stages that stretches over 2 days with a chance for a rest and some sleep in the middle.
The format includes:
Teams of 4 people (single gender or mixed) with only 3 people on the course at any one time
Disciplines include: river and ocean paddling; ropes activities; trekking / running; mountain biking; all navigational. No single leg will be too epic (that does not mean it will be easy!).
Each stage will provide 1–3hrs of non-stop action before you change to the next discipline.
Expect to race for 10-15hrs on day one, grab a bit of sleep overnight then get back into it for another 7-12hrs on day two.
The course is kept secret from competitors until the night before and teams navigate from one checkpoint to the next using maps and compasses.
Designed for beginner / intermediate level athletes who want to try their first longer adventure race.
The venue for the 2010 event is still to be announced but either way its an objective that delivers monster returns so lock it in your diary and stay tuned to this website for more.
Click here to download a copy of the 2009 event flyer for a sample of what is to come.
The Great Southern
Unlike the touristy coast of Western Australia's southwest which has drawn rave reviews and droves of zinc-nosed party-goers, WA's 'Great Southern' has got it all goin' on and has managed to remain (refreshingly) off the radar. This means there is wilderness a-plenty and next to no one there to spoil your day – sweet.
The Mountain Designs Great Southern Adventure Race amounts to an 'all access' 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.
How hard can it be?
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!
The 2009 event will also be far 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!
Denmark and surrounds
In a word: impressive. In two words: very impressive. The terrain around Denmark left us breathless for its unique beauty and diversity. Here we found outstanding old growth forests; rugged coastlines interspersed with blissful rock pools and protected bays; undulating hills split by rolling country roads; small hamlets surrounded by wineries and black & white cows; sheltered inlets and inland waterways... all based around a quaint township that has everything you need.
As for Denmark itself, imagine a picturesque river that’s flanked by parkland on either side as the foundation of the township. Add a range of shops to cater for your every need, from supermarkets and news agents to book shops and gift houses. Sprinkle in a generous number of charismatic cafe’s, bakeries, wineries and restaurants for any flavour or budget and you’re starting to get the picture. Serve with a whole range of accommodation options from waterfront camping that’s located near the centre of town, to stylish B&Bs and country guesthouses nestled into the forest and you pretty much have it. Yes, Denmark is paradise found for the outdoor lover through to the city cosmopolitan with something for everyone.
Special offer to Rapid Ascent supporters - 10% off Cyclecover Gold premiums!
(Posted 19/01/2010) Cyclecover are proud to be the official insurance partner of Rapid Ascent events. In recognition of this support, Cyclecover would like to offer all Rapid Ascent participants and supporters a special discount offer of 10% off our standard Cyclecover Gold premiums for the first 12 months cover. Click here for full story ...
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One big, fat, heroic, challenging, life-changing experience that becomes the well-honed story rehashed at backyard barbeques forever more. Stories just like those you'll find in the latest edition of Outer Edge, on shelves now. Click here for full story ...
The 2010 SILVA DuO Adventure Race series
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Get off road this summer, challenge yourself and have some fun at a SILVA DuO Adventure race!
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2010 Australian Rogaining Championships
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The 2010 Australian Rogaining Championships will be held in the magnificent Snowy Mountains and hosted by the ACT Rogaining Association. The course will be set by national rogaining champions, David Baldwin and Julie Quinn, and will provide excellent navigational challenges in a beautiful environment.
Attention all adventurers - The world’s biggest adventure race returns to Augusta for another year
(Posted 18/12/2009)
We are delighted to announce that the Western Australian leg of the 2010 Anaconda Adventure Race International Series will again be held at Augusta after the enthusiasm the new race venue received from competitors and the community from the 2009 event. Click here for full story ...
‘The Doctor’ Surf Ski World Cup held on 16th -17th Jan, 2010 in Perth, WA
(Posted 2/12/2009)
The Doctor is Australia’s greatest ocean paddling event, held every year in Perth incorporating the Surf Ski World Cup part of the World Surf Ski Series. There are 2 exciting races over the weekend. Race 1 ‘the Doctor’ Surf Ski World Cup is a 28km downwind race from Rottnest Island to Hillarys Marina. Competitors make their way over to Rottnest Island by ferry then paddle back across the open water as the “Fremantle Doctor" blows.. Click here for full story ...
Recognise this bloke – we do!
(Posted 2/12/2009)
Yes, this is new leader of the opposition - Mr Tony Abbott and yes, he has done the Anaconda Adventure Race! Click here for full story ...
Sean O'Neil wins the world's biggest adventure race - the Anaconda Adventure Race in Augusta WA
(Posted 9/11/2009)
WA triathlon star Sean O'Neill claimed the Augusta Anaconda Adventure Race with a margin of three minutes on Sunday after a 13.5km coastal run, 1.9km ocean swim, and a 13km inlet/ocean kayak, before dodging a metre-long snake during a 32km mountain bike, and finally a 2.5km Margaret River run. Click here for full story ...
Eldest competitor is ready to race ‘The Anaconda’
(Posted 5/11/2009)
PERTH'S Jim Bramley, 65, will be the oldest competitor to take the starting line at this weekend's Anaconda Adventure Race in Augusta and he's determined he won't be the last to finish in the veterans 55 and over category. Click here for full story ...
One one of the West's most popular adventure races is back again with the 2009 Mountain Designs Great Southern Adventure Race set to take place around Denmark. Are you ready to give it a go, or do you still need to fine-tune your weakest discipline? No, we’re not talking about writing your victory speech, although you might need to practice that as well. Navigation is the most important skill in adventure racing – it’s the one discipline that SAVES you energy. It will prevent you wasting all those months of endurance training Click here for more details.
Mountain Biking
Western Australia is truly a great place to be a mountain biker. Within an hours drive of Perth you’ll be riding some of the sweetest trails that are alive with the sound of ... click here for full story.
Paddling
World Champion Paddler & multiple Avon Decent Winner with a Ph.D. in paddling Ash Nesbit, welcomes paddlers of all ages and skill levels to attend surf ski’s ‘school of cool’ where you can pick up the slick skills that’ll put a sting in your stroke and give you the ocean street cred to kick butt this summer. Baptise yourself on a salty smorgasbord that caters for beginners and intermediate level paddlers who’ve already got a few sessions ‘under their belts’ and want to spruce up their skills. ... click here for full story.
Off Road Running
Some of WA's toughest endurance athlete's from the surf & turf are partnering Rapid Ascent to bring you a comprehensive smattering of training sessions aimed at the beginner to intemediate level athlete looking to enhance their skills for the race. First off the blocks John Toomey, WA's own epic ... click here for full story.
Training Programs
Andrew Budge, of Trysport WA has joined forces with the adventure race event organisers Rapid Ascent to provide a professional and comprehensive online training program service, specifically designed ... click here for full story.