Race report – Adventurethon National Challenge 2015
Adventurethon Townsville National Challenge
July 4th & 5th, 2015
Adventurethon National Challenge this year again topped expectations with well towards 500 registrations across the weekend. This year reached several new milestones for Adventurethon having almost 90 juniors compete along with a definite spike in women’s entries, especially in the ‘tougher’ events.
Paddle leg – Ultras & Enduros TSV 2015
The lead-up to the weekend saw mild temperatures and some showers, but all in all looking to be perfect conditions for the weekend. The local Rockwheelers group did some track rejuvenation on the bike course and the showers settled the dust, to create the most spectacular course possible.
Competitors from around the country headed to Townsville to enjoy the beautiful North Queensland weather and the awesome Adventurethon course. Over the course of the weekend there were competitors from Melbourne (Vic), Coffs Harbour (NSW), Mooranbah, Mackay, Whitsundays, Bowen, Cairns (Qld), Albany (WA).
SATURDAY
A little podium magic for the Ultras
Elite Individuals
Australian Adventure Racer JARAD KOHLAR finished in 1st place as the Elite Individual making 2015 his fourth year in a row as the Adventurethon National Challenge champion. KOHLAR completed the BNG Sports ULTRA Adventurethon course in 4:24:52. Just over 11 minutes later, local multisporter Sam Stedman finished in 4:35:11 to place second. And in third place, just 11 minutes after Sam, James Pretto (visiting Victorian) finished in 3rd place at a time of 4:46:20.
James Pretto (left) & Jarad Kohlar (centre) lead out the paddle to Magnetic Island
Male Opens
KRIS MAGUIRE had a very fast paddle, staying in the top 3 with the elites to arrive at the island. Kris finished first in the Male Open Individuals category (5:27:57). CRAIG FLOCKHART finished 2nd in 5:31:17 while MICHAEL PANNACH took 3rd place (5:58:45).
Karen Masson on the run leg
Female Opens
This year saw the best number of open females ever, proving just how much women want to step up to the bigger events. Coffs Harbour’s KAREN MASSON took away the win in a blitzing time of (5:41:26) and local girls JOANNE KOY in 2nd place (5:59:11) and JENNIFER NORTH in 3rd (6”07:15).
Male Masters 40yrs+
CONNOR OSULLIVAN took 1st place (5:08:48). ANDREW EVERINGHAM took 2nd place in 5:15:39 while HERBERT KUSKOPF finished 3rd in 6:06:26.
Female Masters 40yrs+
JULIE SAGER finished 1st in the Female Masters 40+ category in a time of (6:54:24).
Male Grand Masters 50yrs+
These guys showed age don’t matter with Adventurethon regulars, ADAM SMITH taking 1st in this year’s ULTRA’S (5:45:06) and ROBERT SMYTHE 2nd place with (6:26:43).
Female Grand Masters 50yrs+
PATTI NAHRUNG crossed first in the Females Grand masters 50+ category (7:45:44).
Clydesdale Over 90kg
Clydesdales winner, DAVID NAHRUNG says he has been preparing on a diet of pizza and beer for his Ultra and finished with a well-deserved 1st place first (5:43:06) for the Clydesdale category, along with STEVO CONNELL in 2nd place (6:09:53) and RICHARD APPS coming in 3rd with (6:31:28).
Teams
The team’s showcased great cooperation and encouragement throughout the weekend with Team CHALLENGERS owning 1st place in 5:10:10. AIRPORT FIRIES came 2nd in 5:21:13 while TEAM FEARLESS took 3rd place this year (5:37:32).
Ian Anderson on the run leg – Enduro Adventurethon
Male Open
It was a tough fight between the ENDURO’S with over 90 competing. IAN ANDERSON smashed the paddle leg and finished 1st place (2:15:39). JACOB TAYLOR finished 2nd (2:20:43) while RYAN ELLERY stayed close behind taking 3rd place in 2:25:0354.
Female Open
LAURA DUNSTAN came 1st in the Female Open Category for the Enduro (2:41:59), CARIE KELLIHER finished in 2nd place (2:57:50) while NICOLE FRISBY came 3rd overall (3:27:57).
Male Masters 40yrs+
The masters mastered the course with TREVOR BROWN taking 1st place (2:32:35). BRAD KIRKPATRICK took 2nd place (2:42:14) with SCOTT WHEELER coming 3rd at 2:46:31.
Female Masters
YVONNE HUNT came 1st in the Female Open Category for the Enduro (3:03:03), YVETTE EVERINGHAM was only minutes behind coming 2nd place (3:06:36) while LIA JOHNSON came 3rd overall (3:10:49).
Male Grand Masters 50yrs+
SEAN BRENNAN took the win this year coming 1st place (2:24:05) while CHRIS RUNTING took 2nd place with (2:48:58) and regular favourite GRAEME BOWER once again gained himself a placing coming 3rd (3:04:12).
Teams
With 13 teams all keen for a win, Team WILL RACE FOR BEER took down 1st position in 2:23:37. Team WORKING FOR BEERS! weren’t far behind coming 2nd (2:27:29) while THEGO TEAM took 3rd place in 2:33:36.
Open Male
The Duathlon’s took favour of the perfect weather with JAMIE SMITH taking 1st place in 2:54:09. JOSHUA DYKE came in 2nd at 3:09:02. PETER LISTER finished in 3rd place at 3:33:29.
Open Female
BRANDI WATSON made hard competition coming 1st place for the DUATHLON at 4:14:50. EVE KALLIN took 2nd place in 4:50:56 while ROBIN BODE took 3rd place in 5:16:17.
Masters 40yrs+
The oldies were goldies with a tough fight between BILLY GUY in 1st place (3:34:26), MICHAEL HIBBLE in 2nd place (3:37:19) and GRAHAM DAVIES finished 3rd (3:43:57). The Masters 40+ ladies also showed they can get out and dirty with TRICIA RUTHERFORD taking 1st place for the womens (5:06:14).
Teams
Teams were out in force whizzing through the Duathlon with team BETHUNE&RUBACH taking 1st place in 2:45:06. Team CONCEPTS BUILDING DESIGN close behind taking 2nd place at 2:54:40. Team SAZZYNICK crossing the line at 3:06:59 with 3rd place.
Sunday
With a number of newbies this year it was great to see our adults and juniors having fun on the Sunday.
PAUL SMITH came zipping through the finish at 1:03:04 taking 1st place for the male taste. CHRIS BISON narrowly missed first, taking out 2nd place (1:03:04) with LEX DOYLE taking 3rd place shortly after (1:08:02). The females were popular this year with over 35 female contestants. ANNIKA FROSSLING took 1st place in the females at 1:12:10 with DEANNE MAHONEY taking 2nd place (1:13:47) and SARAH RUDDELL at 3rd (1:14:47).
Team CRANSKY DEMONS took 1st place for teams at 1:08:06. Team BUSHLAND BEACH BOOTCAMP also did an amazing job crossing the line and taking 2nd place at 1:10:27 with the INK SHARKS taking 3rd place at 1:13:03.
13-17yrs
It was great to see over 85 registered juniors this year. THOMAS HARTE took 1st place for males 13-17yrs in 1:03:30 followed by HARLEY DICKERSON in 2nd (1:04:38) and BENNETT JESBERG in 3rd place at 1:05:17.
EMILY DE ROOY grabbed 1st girls category in 1:11:27 followed closely by REBECCA NAHRUNG in 2nd position (1:12:04) and JAHRAH PEARCE in 3rd place (1:12:09).
Team LRB BOYS put up a fight for 1st place at 1:04:09 as JAKE & ZAC ROCK followed close behind taking 2nd place at 1:08:19. Team OCEANIC WARRIORS crossed the line at 1:32:14 coming 3rd place.
8-12yrs
There were smiles all over with the youngen’s taking each step to cross that line. LOGAN PICKERING was the first 8-12yrs individual competitor to finish taking 1st for his category at 1:08:03. MICHAEL FOURIE proudly took 2nd place at 1:12:41 while TOM DOYLE took 3rd at 1:14:48.
The girls did just as well with CHELSEA SMITH owning 1st position at 1:17:32, ZANELLE FOURIE with 2nd place at 1:23:44 and TAHLI WHEELER taking 3rd place at 1:26:30.
Team MDR ROCKS flew through the course finishing 1st in 1:14:41 while THE SPEEDY NINJAS took 2nd place only 2 minutes behind at 1:16:53 and the MAGGIE ISLAND TEAM took 3rd place at 1:24:29.
A big thankyou to all our 2015 sponsors. It’s sponsors who make races like Adventurethon possible. Be sure to head in to see them and tell them you are there because of their support of Adventurethon.
Adventurethon Coffs Harbour – October 10&11
Our next Adventurethon will be held at the magnificent Coffs Harbour in NSW. Coffs will be a physical challenge for the Ultra’s, Enduro’s & Duathlons offering a Mountain Bike track perfect for those who love climbing. The Enduro paddle leg has a full protected paddle by the harbour while the Ultra’s set off into the crystal blue ocean.
REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN. Early bird registrations close September 11. Course maps will be released soon.