Anaconda Adventure Race, Gold Coast

Brendon Grail / 23.08.2006

The Gold Coast is set to explode this weekend with the most exciting new sports event in Australia, the Anaconda Adventure Race. Conceived by champion adventure racer John Jacoby, the Anaconda Adventure Race is a rugged off-road race comprising an ocean swim, ocean/creek paddle, creek & mountain run, mountain bike and beach run.

Guy Andrews, Wes Berg, Karla Gilbert, Phil Clayton, Sheree Merryful & Olympic Gold medalist Sara Carrigan are just some of the big names who’ll be on the start line this Saturday. Some of New Zealand’s best endurance athletes are also in town, hoping to steal the thunder and $12K cash purse from the Aussies.

The women’s field is the strongest ever assembled in Australia and amazingly there are 9 women who are capable of winning, with young hotshot Christie Sym from NSW a narrow favourite from New Zealand’s Coast to Coast winner Emily Miazga. An outside chance is Adventure Racing rookie and local girl Karla Gilbert, a fierce competitor who is a distinct chance of upsetting her more fancied rivals.