Eagle Bay Epic

Eagle Bay Epic Adventure Race This Weekend With Bachelor Star Locky Gilbert

Press Release / 02.11.2022

The Eagle Bay Epic Adventure Race will hit the shores of Eagle Bay and Dunsborough this weekend on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November 2022 as close to 4,000 competitors and supporters head to WA’s favourite adventure playground.

Former Bachelor and Survivor Australia star Locky Gilbert has been spotted on the start list for the adventure race, as well as the Wife* Carrying Championships (details below) with partner Irena Srbinovska whom he met on the Bachelor in 2020.

The weekend features three off-road races that traverse in and around Meelup Regional Park and Geographe Bay; with each course showcasing the spectacular natural wilderness synonymous with the south-west.

One of Australia’s best off-road athletes Ben Allen will be coming west to show us his form on the epic course. Allen won the ultimate Augusta Adventure Race in 2019 which the Eagle Bay Epic is modelled on – and recently won the X-Adventure Dunsborough and NSW off-road State Championships; so there’s no doubting Allen is well-versed on the WA terrain.

“The west coast has so much to offer; the amazing landscapes, beautiful beaches, plus the event organisers have created a fun and challenging race,” said Allen.

“It’s the sense of adventure and not knowing what is coming around the next corner that I love about these races; and challenging myself against Mother Nature – it’s a true test of mental and physical strength,” added Allen.

The Leeuwin Long Course which Allen will be racing, headlines the weekend with a non-stop course covering a gruelling 23km mountain bike, 2km ocean swim, 13.5km paddle, and 12.5km trail run. The race begins with a 'Le Mans' start of a 200m run before riders power along the fast rolling trails in the Meelup Regional Park.

The Naturaliste Short Course will be one of the more popular courses for relay teams on Saturday – a testament to the ‘anyone can do it’ attitude that these adventure races offer. The course includes a 13km mountain bike, 1.2km ocean swim, 5km paddle and 7.9km trail run.

Both races will include individuals doing the entire course solo, or as relay-teams of 2 to 4 participants doing one leg each.

The Kids Adventure Challenge is back again, proving its’ popularity with over 300 kids set to take on the fun 4km obstacle course. The course includes a number of obstacles along the way such as spiders webs crawls, hay-bale jumping, hurdles, and a slippery dip.

Saturday afternoon will also feature WA’s ‘Wife’* Carrying Championships with the winning couple to take home their weight in beer thanks to the Eagle Bay Brewing Co.

This has been a highlight on the event program in recent years which sees couples carried and piggy-backed by one another over a 400m course that includes hurdles and limbo bars. All eyes are set to be on Locky and Irena of The Bachelor.

Based at the Eagle Bay Brewing Co, competitors will finish with a celebratory beverage and entertainment in a friendly, social atmosphere.

Rapid Ascent’s Race Directors John Jacoby and Sam Maffett, who as experienced athletes themselves, are committed to the design and delivery of races by competitors, for competitors.

“We can’t wait to host another sensational event this weekend and see adventure racing soar to great heights for our competitors and supporters!” said Jacoby.

Entries are still open online or can be done in person at the event. Further event information found at www.eaglebayepic.com.au