X-Marathon adventure race

X-Marathon 250 km Adventure Race Was a Winner this Weekend in East Gippsland

News Release / 21.03.2016

Lakes Entrance became a Head Quarters of the fifth edition of the X-Marathon adventure race over the last weekend.  Teams of four from all across Australia and interstate accepted the challenge and took part in the 250 km journey through some of the most spectacular parts of the East Gippsland. After 32 hours of racing Team Thought Sport/Shotz Nutrition consisted of Rob and Kathryn Preston(Trafalgar), Mitch Bodycoat (Bendigo), Dave Schloss (Brisbane) took the win in this grueling event.

First, Participants paddled from the Lake Entrance to Nungurner.  From Nungurner they rode to Nowa Nowa on mountain bikes where they trekked through the spectacular Boggy Gorge, continued on mountain bikes to the North-East via Mt Tara up to the Buchan-Orbost road, then trekked through the bush to the Woods point on Snowy River where they got kayaks and paddled down to Marlo. In Marlo they again jumped on the bikes and rode up to Lake Tyres, where they ran the final trekking leg to the finish at the  Lakes Entrance Life Saving Club. The course was navigation based and participants had to find their way between the checkpoints using only a map and a compass.

 “We are very happy with how the event went. Preparation of the course was a challenge but we are lucky to be supported by the East Gippsland Shire and local volunteers. It is such a pleasure to run an event in the such a supportive environment." Said Maria Plyashechko, event organiser from Melbourne.  

“We had a great weekend in East Gippsland for the X-Marathon adventure race with my teammates Mitch Bodycoat and Dave Schloss. Thanks to Adventure Junkie crew Serge and Maria and their every helpful volunteers for a great event. We took the win against tough competition with Team Adventure Junkie 2nd, Dynamite Adventure Racing 3rd and Peak Adventure 4th. This event is now the hottest not to be missed Adventure Race in Australia. Great terrain and course setting, good value for money and no need for a support crew”. Said Rob Preston, team Thought Sport/Shotz Nutrition, one the most successful adventure racers  in Australia and one of the best in the world.

The second team at the finish line was a crew Adventure Junkie.com.au,  “Amazing course, absolutely spectacular. Great legs and great locations for checkpoints. Loved it. Obviously a lot of time and effort went into it.”. Said Bernadette Dornom from Melbourne.

“Sergey Kurov and Maria Plyashechko from Adventure Junkie have created a new 48 hour race to the Australian Adventure racing calendar that I won't be missing in the future.” -Trevor Mullens, Brisbane.

“We made it! Go Cubs! We were the 1st all female team, 9th team to cross the finish line. 7 teams pulled out during the race, and there were 18 teams. 44hrs of adventure racing. Loved it...can't wait to do it again!!!” - Kathryn Elizabeth Morland, Melbourne.

“Our Epic race completed. 38 non-stop hours covering 233km's to make it through to the finish line at 2:20 am on the 2nd day. Amazing team effort, so many awesome moments. Very tired and sore but still alive! A lifetime challenge that will be hard to top. Very proud of the team, and our ability to just keep pushing. We ended up 5th across the line after being dead last on the kayak start with some equipment probs.”-  Murray Cambie, Melbourne.

The local adventure racer Tim Bootie, policeman from Swan Reach, finished third with his team Dynamite Adventure. "X-Marathon  looks to be squarely set for a bright future on the AR calendar with the stunning location, great pricing, roving photography and video, awesome tracking and challenging terrain and navigation. Thanks to all of the helpers, especially Tim's fiance Teagan and Tim's dad who both gave up there time to help out Adventure Junkies with the logistics on race day. "- Said Karina Vitirriti, Tim's team mate.

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