KEEN ADVENTURE RACE – entries close soon

$60,000 in cash is up for grabs at the Keen Adventure Race next month, with cash being paid down to 10th place overall, and to the top three male, mixed and female teams. Not only will you be racing over one of the world's most spectacular courses, you'll also receive a free pair of Keen Newports valued at $200.

Raced in pairs, this 5-day expedition style race involves plenty of trekking, navigating, mountain biking and paddling. The Keen Adventure Race is as much about strategy as it is speed, so just because you can't run four-minute miles doesn't mean you can't grab your share of the prize money.

For more information on how you can be part of Australia's newest and most stunning adventure race, click here or call Rapid Ascent on (03) 9818 2982.

National Anaconda Adventure Race Series: Gold Coast / Forster / WA / Lorne

Entries are about to open for this year's Anaconda Adventure Races. Stay tuned for details of course improvements, familiarisation days, entry details, big discounts for series entries and a range of new offers from sponsors. So get that calendar out, mark these dates in permanent red ink and start your training today. Gold Coast: August 5, Forster: September 22-23, WA: November 4, Lorne: December 9.

Race merchandise sale – 2XU knicks and jerseys for $49!

We're clearing last year's range of 2XU Anaconda Adventure Race gear at cost price. High performance 2XU cycling jerseys and knicks are only $49, while the warm winter fleeces are $59 (yeah it's hot now, but just think how snug they'll be come June!). That's half the price of the equivalent 2XU gear in the shops. We also have high performance Anaconda Adventure Race Tees available for $25 each – perfect as lightweight training tops. Stock is limited so get in quick.

E-mail t-shirt orders only to info@rapidascent.com.au. For all other orders, click here.

Keen Adventure Race, Team Profile: Hokey Pokey (Busch and Egerton)

Next month, Kirsty Busch from Sydney and Thorlene Egerton from Brisbane will compete in the Keen Adventure Race as team Hokey Pokey.

Kirsty and Thor have a decent amount of adventure racing experience between them. Kirsty has completed ten adventure races and has coordinated the search and rescue operations for countless others. Thor has finished more than 30 adventure races, including two expedition length events. But why did they call the team Hokey Pokey? {click here for the full story}

Otway Odyssey Results

Earlier this month, 1,000 riders slogged their way through the inaugural Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon. After starting in Apollo Bay, the field climbed through Otway Ranges' rainforest, mud, single track and more single track before finishing at the Forrest Festival. Murray Spink and Tory Thomas led the field home with dazzling rides.

The Otway Odyssey course is already infamous: Tiger Lane's 'It's the 6km point and I'm already walking' 25% gradients; the 'I never thought I'd say there was too much single track' Magellan-Yaugher Loop; and the 'but you promised I'd already done the last climb' Sledgehammer ascent.

For the full race report, click here.

Keen Adventure Race, Team Profile: POOT (Dunlop and Drew)

“Please let the others know that I expect Team POOT will not be our team name come race day - Liam came up with that name.” said Bruce Dunlop of an acronym we probably don't want to understand.

Bruce, 48, lives in Jan Juc, so sneaks into the Keen Adventure Race with a home ground advantage. Bruce took time out from his training to tell us a how he got involved in adventure racing and how he expects he and team mate Liam Drew will fare.

{Click here for the full story}

Want to work with Rapid Ascent?

Two roles available: NSW Event Development Officer and QLD Event Development Officer for the Anaconda Adventure Race Series

Objective of the roles:

• To promote and secure interest and entries in the Anaconda Adventure Race Series, especially for the Anaconda Adventure Races at Gold Coast (August 5) and Forster (September 22 – 23) respectively.
• Promotional efforts to be focused within the corporate market in the Brisbane/Gold Coast or Sydney/Newcastle areas respectively.

{Click here for more information}

Kayak testing report

The results from Rapid Ascent's recent comprehensive kayak testing program will be published next week.

The testing results are designed to help beginners and spec-savvy paddlers understand the range of kayaks available and to help them choose the ideal craft for events such as the Anaconda Adventure Races. Keep an eye out for next week's email with a link to the report.

Otway Odyssey race report winner - Jason Archer

Jason Archer (right, getting muddy) has won an Otway Odyssey prize pack for the best Otway Odyssey race report. Jason finished 50th in the Open Male section of the 100km Odyssey and his story sums up what we love about mountain biking – the absolute dedication to his race and a willingness to suffer on the bike, all while maintaining an irresistible sense of humour.

Jason's prize pack includes some SRAM toys, 2XU gear, Enervit goodies and KEEN shoes.

There are plenty of other ripping Otway Odyssey race reports to read, click here to check them out.

Big Hill Events Marathon

For those you enjoyed the Otway Odyssey, check out another great event brought to you by our friends at Big Hill Events.

The Big Hill Events Marathon will be held on the 25th March at Wandong (less than 1 hr from Melbourne). There are 90km, 69km or 36.5km races on offer.

This marathon is a fully supported event with four feed zones over the 90km course. Each feed zone provides water bottles ready to go, gels and fresh fruit. With 2,100m of climbing, the Big Hill Events Marathon will be a fast yet challenging day for the elite while remaining achievable for all riders. For more information go to www.bighillevents.com.au or www.ftf.com.au.