Adventurethon Defences Trophy goes full circle
This July 1st, Adventurethon Townsville held its annual Multisport event at Pallarenda where the toughest of competitors from around the country slog it out to see who is the fastest and toughest on course and be named Adventurethon Champion.
We’ve had some pretty tough competitors since Adventurethon began in 2010 and this year didn’t disappoint. Each year the FIRST of the Emergency services or Defence personnel (can be a team or individual, but all members of the team must be defence/services) to cross the finish line of the Ultra Adventurethon, is named the winner of the “Defence and Emergency Services trophy”.* In 2010 the trophy was won by Gordon Wing for 2 RAR (Army), and this year it has gone full circle, again being won by 2 RAR, this time in way of a team, 2 RAR Recon.
Team 2RAR Recon set out with a cracking pace, reaching Magnetic Island in the paddle in 48:35 mins (the fastest paddle time of the day to the island). The team runner blitzed the 2.4km run up Hawkings Point and paddler Alex Duggan was back heading towards the mainland, arriving in just under 1 hour 40 mins. Team 2 RAR Recon’s cyclist charged out on the ride, and a panicked phone call from the island informed Race HQ that their team runner was still on the 
island. A speedy boat ride half way, met with a jet ski who whizzed him the remainder of the way to the mainland, arriving only minutes before team rider arrived. During the run leg, the lead shuffled between individual entrant Jarad Kohlar and Team 2 RAR Recon’s runner, with Jarad crossing first and Team 2 RAR Recon (2nd across the line and) 1st Defence Services, taking the trophy back for Army for the first time since 2010.
The Ultra Adventurethon course consists of a 16km paddle to and from Magnetic Island, a 16.4km trail run (split between Magnetic Island and to the summit of Pallarenda’s Mount Marlow) and a 29km mountain bike ride featuring the recognized Under the Radar track and for the first time, Smedleys track.
Adventurethon holds several events throughout Australia including Townsville and Magnetic Island in North Queensland, Grafton in New South Wales (NEW EVENT & FORMAT), Albany and Kalbarri in Western Australia and Anglesea, Surfcoast Victoria.
Each event caters for all types of fitness levels having courses for the casual trainers, beginners and even juniors.
Previous winners of the “Defence and Emergency Services trophy”
| 2010 Gordon Wing | 2 RAR (Army) |
| 2011 Team airport firies | Airport Fire fighters Townsville |
| 2012 Kris Maguire | Queensland Fire & Rescue service |
| 2013 Craig Flockhart | Airport Fire services VICTORIA |
| 2014 Team Lattitude 19 | Queensland Fire Rescue service |
| 2015 Kris Maguire | Queensland Fire & Rescue service |
| 2016 James Pretto | Paramedic – Ambulance Victoria |
| 2017 Team 2 RAR Recon | 2 RAR |
Emergency services: Fire, Ambulance, Police, Air fire services (if you are part of a service and want it included let us know)
And of course defence force: ARMY, NAVY & AIRFORCE
*For a team to win the Defence Trophy team must consist entirely of all defence and/or services members.