The race has nine legs this year. There are only 32 checkpoints (CPs). Last year there were 60-odd… so there are going to be bigger distances between CPs, which means that route choices should be quite interesting.

Leg 1 – Kayak

Distance: 11km
CPs: CP1
Start from the Port Edward main beach. Finish on a river bank (T1).

Leg 2 – Trek

Distance: 12km
CPs: CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6
Elevation gain (and loss): 603m
Finish back at T1.

NOTES: Teams are instructed to stay on the hiking trails in the reserve and not to go cross country.

Leg 3 – Kayak

Distance: 5km
No CPs
Finish at boat club (T2)

*** RECEIVE MAPS FOR LEG 4 and LEG 5 ***

Teams will copy the location of CPs for Leg 4 and Leg 5 at T2 when they receive their maps.

Leg 4 – Trek

Distance: 80km (this is a whopper!)
CPs: CP7 to CP14
Elevation gain (1125m), elevation loss (758m)
Finish at CP15 – a path/river junction

NOTES: This section includes rope work. Teams will encounter river crossings. Long leg cover is recommended. Teams are warned to be careful on cliffs in the dark. CP15, the end of this section, has no facilities.

Leg 5 – Canyoning

Distance: 10km
CPs: only CP16
Elevation gain (285m), elevation loss (691m)
Finish at a resort (T3)

NOTES: Teams are instructed to stay in the canyon between CP15 and CP16. They can exit only after CP16. T3 has tents with mattresses as well as facilities, including a restaurant.

*** RECEIVE CPs FOR LEG 6 and LEG 7 ***

Leg 6 – Cycle

Distance: 120km
CPs: CP17 to CP21
Elevation gain (3479m), elevation loss (3237m) – phew!
Finish at T4 on the side of a river.

Notes: Basic facilities. A marquee provided for shelter – no mattresses.

Leg 7 – Kayak

Distance: 67km
No CPs
Finish at a resort/lodge (T5)

Notes: Water level in the river is low. It is flowing (a few weeks ago it was in flood!). The river will continue to be monitored. Initially there was a dark zone on this section but because the water level has dropped so much and the rapids are very small, the darkzone has been cancelled. Teams can continue on this section through the night.

*** TEAMS RECEIVE NEW MAPS AND CPs FOR LEG 8 ***

Leg 8 – Trek

Distance: 40km
CPs: CP22 to CP24
Elevation gain (1349m), elevation loss (1373m)
Finish at a resort (T6)

Notes: CP22 marks the entrance to a path – just outside the resort gate. Vegetation here is dense – bashing through it is not really an option. There are loads of cattle tracks that can be followed. Bike service available to teams at T6.

*** TEAMS RECEIVE NEW MAPS AND CPs FOR LEG 9 ***

Leg 9 – Cycle

Distance: 230km (OMG!)
CPs: CP25 to CP32
Elevation gain (2945m), elevation loss (2921m)
Finish at the Port Edward Holiday Resort. THE END.

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