Fa'avae Prepares Surprises for the 2nd Absolute Wildnerness Adventure Race

News Release / 11.02.2015

Class 3+ rafting, off track navigation and hidden trails will be some of the surprises unveiled in the 2015 Absolute Wilderness Adventure Race, held over Easter Weekend April 3rd - 5th in Murchison.
 
The 2nd edition of the adventure race will once again be based from the outdoor pursuit abundant town of Murchison, sitting on the riverbank of the Buller River with clear views to Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks.
 
Three categories will keep the adventure and thrill seekers content in either the 3, 6 or 12-hour events. The courses will be open for 24-hours for those who require it.

Those who took part in the inaugural event in 2014 will be pleased to know that the course is 100% different, all new terrain. The race itself may start and finish within 30-minutes drive of Murchison.

This is what we can say about the courses.

Firstly, the rafting stage is the same for all three categories. Depending on river flow, it could be anything from a low volume technical grade 3 rafting trip, to a big water, bouncy grade 3+ stage. Be assured, either way, it will be thrilling.

3-hour course - Murchison is a rugged area, the valleys are steep, bush is thick and the pies are big. This is a ‘grunty’ introduction to adventure racing with some real mountain biking and a solid little navigation stage on foot. While the winning time is planned for 3-hours, teams may feel like they’ve been on course for longer, perhaps take an extra Absolute Wilderness meal for good measure ;-)

6-hour course - starts off the same as the 3-hour but then enters more wilderness and into fair dinkum adventure racing. The mountain biking in the 6-hour is good stuff and the navigation will be a rogaine style challenge. If anyone has been into the area before we’ll be dammed surprised, in fact, we won’t even believe you if you say you have been.

12-hour course - after getting pumped up on the rafting, teams will get sweated up on a hiking stage of mountainous proportion. There will be some early route choices to keep teams thinking and experienced route finders will enjoy the bush travel, up high there could be snow, it’s Autumn, then some serious knee knocking descents will lead into a tricky bit of off track navigation for teams to find the TA and their bikes. Goats will enjoy this stage. Trails we didn’t know existed [until we found them] will link onto the 6-hour course and there you have it, a most excellent day out. Expect the water to be white, the views to be vast and the wilderness absolute.  

Entries Close March 27th - Enter at www.absolutewilderness.co.nz

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