Determination Leads Adventurers To The Marysville To Melbourne Multisport Challenge
News Release / 23.04.2013
The Marysville 2 Melbourne Multisport Challenge returns for it's third edition next Sunday 28 April, with hundreds of multidiscipline athletes taking on a spectacular 155 kilometre journey as they run, cycle and paddle from the country to the city.
With a course designed by the same two men who map out the Swisse Mark Webber Challenge in Tasmania (John Jacoby and Sam Maffett of Rapid Ascent), the Marysville to Melbourne (M2M) race is a grand journey that pushes entrants to their physical limits in the sports of trail running, road cycling and flat water river kayaking for a full day's racing.
Adventure racers, triathletes, challenge seekers, Ironmen and first timers will tackle the course with some going all the way solo, while others will share the load and compete as relay teams.
Beginning in the township of Marysville, the course will take participants from the wilds of Victoria's regional mountain heartland, and into the vibrant heart of Melbourne's metropolis to finish 155 kilometres later on the banks of the Yarra River at Docklands - without passing through a single set of traffic lights!
Of those competing this Sunday, many have a reason or a strong inner-motivation to get them through the race.
Angelina Bell of Alexandra in Victoria returns for a third attempt at the gruelling course, however this time as an individual. Bell competed in 2011 as part of a team of 6; moving up to a team of 2 in 2012 with her sister, and cannot wait to battle it out solo on Sunday.
"It was a great achievement completing the first two M2M's, so it was just a natural progression to give it a go this year by myself." said Bell.
"I got a taste for the satisfaction of finishing these races and realised that I can do anything I put my mind to. I'm not someone who'll ever win any of these races, but just getting to the end solo will be a massive achievement for me." added Bell.
The Malmo family from Narre Warren is no stranger to team events together, with their first M2M team comprising of Ewen (dad), wife Deb, daughter Sandra, son Tim, and crewed by my other daughter Vicki.
"Tim and I, together with my brother-in-law, first competed in the Lorne Adventure race last December and we enjoyed the experience so much that we decided to look for another challenge. We already play netball in a family team, so we all have a strong competitive spirit and love a challenge. The M2M is a great way to get us all involved, although the paddling legs will be our greatest challenge on race day!" said Ewan.
Dr Christopher Worsnop is the driving force behind four amazing teams from Respiratory Medicine at Austin Hospital - Inspire, Expire, Respire, and Aspire.
"The Prettos (Jeff, Su and their son James, a former winner on the epic race) got us involved in adventure racing and we have gone from strength to strength. We do this in honour of Rob Pierce our former director who was killed in the Black Saturday Fires."
Also racing in honour of those injured in the Black Saturday Fires is Andrew Watson who was lucky to survive. Watson will attempt the 155 kilometre journey as a first timer, and will travel through area's affected by the fires in the Kinglake region.
"This is my first Marysville to Melbourne race and will be a huge personal challenge for me. The area means a lot to me in terms of surviving Black Saturday. My aim is to do well, enjoy the journey and to have a great sense of achievement in finishing at Docklands."
Amongst the daring individuals, is a large contingent of aspiring teams, such as a group of school teachers from Yarra Valley Grammar in Ringwood, Victoria.
"We're involved to show our students that we as adults can also make a contribution to community events and organisations that need a hand." Said David Frazer - one of four members from the schools'team number 2.
The Motley Crew from Tasmania are back to race for our third year - Jason Clark, Melissa Kemp, Mark Smoth, Tim and Geoff Warr.
"We're a bunch of good friends challenging themselves over the course. Bring it on!" said Jason Clark.
Our biggest group comes from the Vigor Health & Fitness teams who are long-time participants of the event with over 60 competitors signed up for 2013, across 20 teams and 6 solo's.
At the pointy end of the field we'll see 2011 winner of the women's solo race, Elizabeth Dorman, go up against sister Bernadette who placed third in 2012 in a time of 9 hours, 18 minutes and 59 seconds. Both sisters have been top contenders in a number of multisport races; with the Marysville to Melbourne race one of their favourites.
In the men's solo division, 2011 winner Luke Haines is attempting the race in a team of 3 this year, and will take on the cycling legs of the race; thus leaving the door wide-open for 2013 solo line honours with 2012 winner James Pretto in the mix.
The Marysville to Melbourne 155km Multisport Challenge includes:
· 19km Dom Dom trail run
· 50km Black Spur road ride
· 41km St Andrews road ride
· 14km Yarra trail run
· 15km Fitness Paddlers Australia river paddle
· 16km Yarra's Edge river paddle
More than 700 competitors are expected to race on Sunday 28 April. The start will take place in the township of Marysville at 6.30am, with the first finishers expected at Yarra's Edge, Docklands, sometime after 1pm. The field will continue to cross the line throughout the day, with the final competitor expected around 8:30pm.
