111 PUSHED TO THE LIMITS – Gruelling challenge in the Victorian Alps

PUSHED TO THE LIMITS

ATHLETES FROM NEAR AND FAR WILL TEST THEIR SKILLS ON A NEW GRUELLING CHALLENGE IN THE VICTORIAN ALPS

WORDS BY LIA SPENCER

Have you ever wanted to push your limits by trekking up a mountain or by racing your bike through rugged terrain? How about challenging yourself to a kayak on white water rapids?

Well, now you can. And you don’t have to travel to New Zealand to do it. Held in the Victorian Alpine region, The Baw Baw Extreme is an intense 84 km multisport race which combines all three athletic disciplines in a challenging environment, rich with both beauty and history. It is designed to test competitors physical and mental capabilities, while creating a sense of connection with nature.

The race is a product of cooperation between Adventure Junkie Events Management, Baw Baw Shire Council, Mt Baw Baw Resort management and Destination Gippsland.

Serge Kurov, race director at AJ Events, has explored the region for several years and said it was fitting to plan such a challenging race in the Baw Baw area.

“I love the area. It’s beautiful, and there’s everything there; from mountains to rivers. The environment made it a very suitable place for this kind of challenge,” he said.

Not only does the challenge highlight the diverse environment the Alpine region has to offer, but it also boosts tourism to the area. The inaugural challenge was held in April of this year and drew a huge crowd of performance athletes and their support crews, family, friends, and intrigued spectators to the area. Cafes, hotels, service stations and speciality shops are all set to benefit when the event is held again in early 2022.

Serge said that more than 100 people from across Australia participated in the Baw Baw Extreme and even more are expected to participate next year, if Covid restrictions permit.

“We have some interest from people all over the country, from Townsville to Perth, and even New Zealand. So hopefully we can have international travellers attend next year,” Serge said. “Athletes also bring along their support crews and family and friends.”

The race starts in the historical gold-mining town of Walhalla, weaves its way through Erica and finishes at Mt Baw Baw Resort.

There are several race options to suit adventurers of all skill and experience levels.

The fittest and highest skilled racers will test themselves in the Premier One Day Solo category which will race the entire course, non-stop. For these elite contestants, there will be a $4K cash prize pool up for grabs.

Last year, Luke Haines was the overall individual winner of the Baw Baw Extreme and completed the event in eight hours and 24 minutes. The overall female winner was Elizabeth Dornom who completed the challenge in eight hours and 58 minutes. She also won the Australian National adventure racing series title.

There is also a two-day challenge which includes and overnight stop. This event is more of a personal challenge for recreational athletes are wanting to test their own limits on an epic course.

The event is also a great chance to bond with co-workers, family, or friends with a team/relay option, which divides the challenge into five sections.

The first leg of the course is a five km run from Walhalla to Thompson Railway Station.

Athletes will then change into their paddling gear and kayak 14km down the Thompson River, taking in the beautiful surroundings while negotiating class two white water rapids.

The 40km mountain bike course then begins at Bruntons Bridge and continues along multiple 4WD roads, a historical railway trail and part of the Erica Mountain Bike Park, where they will explore ‘Crazy Snake’ loop consisting of exciting, single tracks.

In the town of Erica, the two-day course racers will finish up their first day, while the one-day participants will continue, reaching the start of the most gruelling section of the course, the trail run leg.

This last part of the challenge follows one of the most remote sections of the famous Australian Alps Walking Trail, visiting the spectacular Mushroom Rocks, Talbot Peak and Mt. Erica. The racers will climb a 25km section, passing through a lot of tough and technical terrain which will test their limits and push their skills to the max.

Registrations are now open for the event next year. Visit www.bawbawextreme.com.au For more information visit mtbawbaw.com.au/baw-baw-extreme

PUSHED TO THE LIMITS