Champions assemble at Lorne for an Adventure Racing showdown

Ben Hahnel / 09.12.2006

Over 1,000 athletes will compete for $40,000 in cash and prizes as they race an off-road course that includes an open water swim, a coastal and trail run, an ocean paddle, a mountain bike ride and a beach run.

The men’s race has tremendous depth with the leading chances coming from a variety of sporting backgrounds, making predictions difficult.

On form, by the end of the swim leg Caine Eckstein (20yo Coolangatta Gold winner), Simon Thompson (Olympic triathlete) and Guy Andrews (Ironman legend) should emerge together, but dont be suprised to see some not so familiar names in the lead pack.

The 11km run leg begins with 4km of rock hopping, and it’s here that the aggressive running of adventure racers Jarad Kohlar (2nd Southern Traverse) and Jeremy Ross (winner Upper Murray Challenge) should pay dividends. The run course then heads inland up a brutal climb though the Otway Ranges. This will test those athletes unaccustomed to off-road racing, and is where world adventure racing champion Richard Ussher - having lost time in the swim - should emerge.

The conditions during the 13km paddle leg will be critical, especially for any triathletes less familiar with the discipline. Guy Andrews should establish a decent lead as he paddles back to Lorne, but ironman Caine Eckstein will be motoring, perhaps even towing along some lesser paddlers as he tries to catch Andrews.

A long climb greets athletes at the start of the 23km bike leg and it’s here that the seasoned adventure racers, with their off-road skills, should prevail. If the race goes the way of Guy Andrews he should race along the final 2.8km beach run leg with a slender lead over Ussher and Kohlar.