Keen Adventure Race - Alps to the Ocean
Look out for the Keen Adventure Race 2009
Jacqueline Windh / 22.04.2008
This is truly a world-class race, and I hope that more international teams will be in attendance next year. John’s course design and route-planning are top-notch, incorporating all of the mental elements that AR encompasses, as well as of course being a supreme physical challenge. He also personally scouts his possible routes, to create courses that get competitors to some really spectacular and remote places. The high country of the Bogong High Plains was a real highlight this year, and quite unexpected for what most outsiders’ vision of Australia is.
The Keen Adventure Race also has great support from sponsors, and offers some decent prize money ($30,000 this year) in some innovative categories, including the all-female teams and the handicap category.
John says that he is really happy with his chosen format, a staged race that includes one overnight stage, so next year’s event will be similar in both format and length. The full route is tough, and probably only achievable by very experienced teams, but he offers other options for mid-range teams to still participate and gain experience – including the 2 for 3 category (only 2 of 3 team members on the course at a time) and the short-courses.
The one possible change for next year is that John is seriously considering making the 2009 edition an unsupported race – which would be good news for international teams – but he said that decision will be dependent upon the location chosen.
The Keen Adventure Race 2009 will probably take place in mid- to late April - a great way for Northern Hemisphere teams to kick off the racing season. Keep an eye on their website, or get on the Rapid Ascent mailing list, to be up on all of the info: www.rapidascent.com.au
SleepMonsters
