Keen AR - Victoria, Australia

Rapid Ascent - / 27.04.2009

Originally, scheduled to be held at the glorious Wilsons Promontory and South Gippsland, this area was devastated by the February-March bushfires which saw over 60% of Wilsons Prom burn in a fire that lasted over a month. Following many lengthy discussions with Parks Victoria we made a last minute decision to re-locate the Keen Adventure Race to the Otway Ranges. This is an area Rapid Ascent has detailed knowledge of and together with willing and enthusiastic stakeholders we were able to get the world class 400km course together in 4 weeks.

38 teams of two are set to race through some stunning terrain that incorporates wild ocean paddling, mountain biking on brilliant single track and trekking through ancient temperate rainforest and exposed coasteering. Teams are racing for a total cash prize pool of $30,000, making the event the richest adventure race in Australia and attracting teams from New Zealand, New Caledonia, Singapore and from every corner of Australia.

The race favourites, New Zealanders Orion Health Boys competed in the 2008 event and were forced to pull out due to injury, but they’re back and a force to be reckoned with after another year of experience. The team of Wayne Oxenham and Brent Edwards along with the Orion Health Mixed team of Anna Berthlesen and Stuart Lynch who came an impressive second place last year will no doubt work together to fend off challengers. They will be hotly pursued by a local Melbourne team, South Bank Finance comprising of Luke Haines and Grant Suckling. Also in the fray will be the legendary navigators of Hugh Stoddart and Richard Mountstephens.