Rapid Ascent's New Vertical K Challenge
News Release / 08.07.2015
A unique new event that pitches trail runners and cyclists against each other, and against one of the most notable climbs in Australia – Mt Donna Buang
Rapid Ascent is thrilled to launch a new event that encapsulates the true essence of the word ‘challenge’ with the new Vertical K - Mt Donna Buang to be held on 29 November at Warburton, Victoria.
Not for the weak hearted, this unique challenge pitches man and bike against one of the most notable climbs in Australia.
It’s the ultimate test of strength over a vertical kilometre for trail runners and cyclists, who will start together at the base of Mt Donna Buang and take different courses to race each other to the summit, which is over one vertical kilometre above.
Mt Donna Buang is well known amongst trail runners thanks to the tall timber forests lining the Yarra Valley and the network of trails that climb up its steep sides.
It’s Australia’s first Vertical Kilometre SkyRace® and Vertical K - Mt Donna Buang Sky Race gives runners a 1,098m vertical ascent over just 8km meaning it’s short, sharp and very steep. The course starts in Warburton by going up Martyr Road, Australia’s steepest residential street that has an average gradient of 20% and with 31% on the steepest stretch.
Cyclists will be riding up the sealed road to ascend 1,077m throughout their tough 17.8km race. With an average gradient of 6.4% the Mt Donna Buang road climb is well used by Melbourne’s riders and will push cyclists to their limits.
Starting in Warburton, riders will get up to speed with 800m of flat riding before ‘The Donna’ climb starts in earnest where the road kicks up to a moderate 5% gradient that remains fairly consistent as the it climbs up through the magnificent temperate rainforest. In the final section to the summit the road kicks up to a 10% gradient just to really put you in the red zone right up to the finish.
The trail runners join the cyclists for an 800m stretch along the road at the 13.5km point (just after the 5.6km point in the run course), allowing each discipline to eye up one another before the final race to the summit.
It’s a race against one another, against the clock, the mountain and your mind. Who will win… The trail runners? The cyclists? Or the mountain?
This demanding new event is the brainchild of Rapid Ascent, an adventure event management company that is renowned for innovation and professional sports events.
Rapid Ascent organises a number of well-known events including the popular Salomon Trail Running Series, the 100km Giant Odyssey mountain bike marathon - Australia’s toughest mountain bike race - and the Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Fest, which is the world’s largest adventure race with over 3,800 competitors.
“We’re very excited to launch this new style of event and provide a unique opportunity to race against competitors in another sport, and we’re extremely proud to be hosting the first ever sanctioned Vertical K Sky Race in Australia,” said Sam Maffett, General Manager of Rapid Ascent.
“It’s going to be an extremely tough race as competitors will need to push their pain barrier to reach the summit in good time.”
“There’s one section in particular where the runners and cyclists share the road for about 800m; it’s a good opportunity to eye up your rivals and really race that final section to the summit,” he said.
Visit www.VERTICALK.com.au for entries or to find out more.
