23rd & 24th April, 2021

East Gippsland, Vic

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHALLENGE?

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ADVENTURETHONSTAGE RACE

Look out East Gippsland, we are returning in 2021 with our Adventurethon Demolish Stage race. Adventurethon Stage races allow amazing course designs taking in the highlights of the region via Trail Running, Mountain Biking & Paddling. Stage race formats allow courses to deliver the very best experiences because they are not constrained by needing to start and finish in one central location. An Adventurethon Stage Race is ideal for Gippsland because the region provides some awesome offerings in the Adventure Realm.

This will be a truly spectacular tour of the varied terrain in East Gippsland Victoria, so whether you ride, run, paddle, or are a multisport nut that does all three, grab your family, training buddies or a bunch of friends and get ready to explore this area by day and night. Yep, we have a night stage for you in 2021!

The East Gippsland Adventurethon Stage race event has been created to form 3 stand alone individual races at 3 stunning East Gippsland locations, with times that can be tallied together in a stage race format at the end to find an overall champion. You can participate as an individual, as part of a team, in pairs, or just compete in your favourite discipline as a stand alone race.

The event will feature an amazing tour of the Bairnsdale area taking in some challenging but fun mountain biking, trail running and paddling over 2 days. Bring your family and mates and settle in for some great bonding and entertainment with seriously easy logistics and a warm atmosphere at the heart of the weekend.

We are proud to be working with Rob Preston from Thought Sports & Trail Running Gippsland to bring you the best possible courses over the weekend as well as getting some great local touches to make it an event to remember.

The multiple locations allows you to see more amazing places, get your breath and re-energise between events and deliver your personal best for all disciplines.

Event Schedule

Mt Taylor MTBXC

Welcome to the Mt Taylor XC – Adventurethon Demolish East Gippsland – Stage 1.

Mt Taylor, what more need we say. Some of the best mountain bike trails in the State and you get to enjoy them with a bunch of other crazy people that are out to have fun. Enjoy the shorter taste/junior option if you are nervous about mountain biking but beware this sport is addictive! Alternatively, you may want to go ‘all in’ and take on one of Mt Taylor’s longer courses. Whichever option you choose you are bound to have fun and a little excitement.

Our courses are very scenic but don’t let that distract you from the numerous small challenges you might face between the start and finish. What are you waiting for, make that decision and register so you to can experience the exhilarating flowing trails of Mt Taylor AT NIGHT! We are pleased to announce that we are stepping up the challenge a little by holding our very first night time Adventurethon Stage. We are really looking forward to this different experience and hope you are as well. Racing through the bush at night, AWESOME.

Date: Friday 23rd April, 2021

Competitor options: Ultra (long) 35 km; Enduro (medium) 17.5 km; Taste/Junior 8.5 km

Registrations: Registration is online only. Registrations close 9:00 pm Wednesday 21st April or when sold out.

Race Pack Pickup: 4:30 pm

You must attend in person to collect your race pack as you will need to sign an indemnity form. Come along, hang out, talk bikes, look at maps, practice getting into an abseil harness and using the descending device and pick up some last minute Adventurethon merchandise.

Presentations: 9:00 pm at race HQ

All riders will receive their medallions at Presentations. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each category will be presented and all finishers will be invited to collect a finishers medallion.

General information:

This will be a night ride so you will need to have suitable lighting to negotiate the course. Because parts of the course will be on forestry roads you will need to have a rear light on your bile as well as front light and or a headlamp with sufficient lighting power to ensure a safe trip around the course.

Beginners and Juniors can choose to challenge themselves at the beginner friendly Taste or Junior distance, not as challenging as the Ultra or Enduro rides but no less fun. More adventurous riders looking for a little more adventure might opt to undertake the Enduro event, a longer and more difficult distance with more obstacles to negotiate. For the real adventurer, and most fun, the Ultra is your option.

For some participants this will be the first of three stages as they attempt to complete the Ultimate Adventurethon Demolish. Others will take a more leisurely approach and perhaps only tackle the run stage before heading off to spectate at the other events and get their kicks that way. Whatever approach you take we guarantee you will have a blast.

Don’t own a mountain bike? No Problem:

Bikes can be hired from our great friends at Venture Out, Lakes Entrance. Scroll below for details.

Bike hire: Our wonderful friends at Venture Out can assist with bike hire. Hire bikes come with helmets and tools so your all set in that department and the fantastic Sarah will deliver your bike/s to the event. Personally, I’d make picking up the bike my excuse to get down to the beautiful Lakes Entrance and chill a little. In any case you can get a bike for the Ultra or Enduro for $39 ($70 for 2) or a bike for the Taste/Junior event for $29 ($50 for 2), delivery to event at no extra cost.

Contact Sarah on 0427731441

email info@ventureout.com.au

website www.ventureout.com.au

347b Esplanade, Lakes Entrance

View Map View Mandatory Equipment

Ultra (35 km)

Date: 23rd April

Start Location: Race HQ, Mt Taylor Mountain Bike Park

Race start: 5:30 pm

Compulsory race briefing: 5:15 pm

Course description:

The Ultra course will take you through two exhilarating but short loops that explore different parts of the mountain bike trail network and, just in case you miss something the first time around, we will send you back round both again for a second look! There will be adrenaline pumping downhills, sweet flowing trails and the obligatory uphills that are a necessary evil if you want downhills in the course and, of course you want that! Trails are a mix of fairly fast easy sections interspersed with more technical challenges to keep you alert. Definitely not a race to miss so get in early to make sure you get a start.

Enduro (17.5 km)

Date: 23rd April

Start Location: Race HQ, Mt Taylor Mountain Bike Park

Race start: 6:00 pm

Compulsory race briefing: 5:45 pm

Course description:

The Enduro course will take you through two exhilarating but short loops that explore different parts of the mountain bike trail network. You will follow the same course as the Ultra competitors so it will be a great experience for the less experienced participants and provide a great course for the hard core mountain biker that doesn’t want to tackle the longer option. There will be adrenaline pumping downhills, sweet flowing trails and the obligatory uphills that are a necessary evil if you want downhills in the course and, of course you want that! Trails are a mix of fairly fast easy sections interspersed with more technical challenges to keep you alert. A great event to challenge yourself if you haven’t entered a competitive mtb event before. Registrations are open so get in quick if you don’t want to miss out.

Taste & Junior (8.5 km)

Date: 23rd April

Start Location: Race HQ, Mt Taylor Mountain Bike Park

Race start: 6:15 pm

Compulsory race briefing: 6:05 pm

Course description:

On this course you will find a really fun, beginner friendly introduction to mountain biking. Easy flowing trails with nothing too technical. Even absolute beginners will enjoy this one. Kids, this course is so much fun that you might be able to get mum to have a go, can you beat her? I think it might be time for a family challenge. Family fun for sure.

Mitchell RiverMeander

Welcome to Paddle East Gippsland -Mitchell River Meander

There were so many options for paddles amongst the East Gippsland region and with the event being in March we decided to go with a body of water we know will have sufficient levels in March and the perfect stretch of water is on the Mitchell River near the Town of Bairnsdale which is also really close to the other stages of the race weekend.

This meandering section of the Mitchell river is scenic and has slowly etched its way into the landscape with some sections of dense vegetation. You may not believe you are so close to the town of Bairnsdale.

The Paddle will be suitable for any type of paddle craft, ocean ski, K1, Outrigger, SUP whatever is paddle powered will work and any rudder style will work well. Boat hire is available – scroll down for details.

We recommend you get over to East Gippsland all through the year and at certain times there are some amazing rapids on the Mitchell River at your disposal as well as some Amazing lakes in the region you can explore.

Date: Saturday 24^th April 2021

Competitor options: Ultra (long) 19 km; Enduro (medium) 9 km; Taste/Junior 2 km

Registrations: Registration is online only. Registrations close 9:00 pm Thursday 22nd April or when sold out.

Race Pack Pickup: 7:00 am Howitt Park

You must attend in person to collect your race pack as you will need to sign an indemnity form. You will also need to nominate an emergency contact person (so make sure you have your phone handy if you’re not great at remembering phone numbers). Come along, hang out, talk bikes (or boats and paddles), look at maps, practice getting into an abseil harness and using the descending device, listen to the event briefing (not mandatory) and pick up some last minute Adventurethon merchandise.

Presentations: 11:00 am at race HQ

All paddlers will receive their medallions at Presentations. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each category will be presented and all finishers will be invited to collect a finishers medallion.

General information:

Adventurethon Demolish brings together a range of paddle distances to suit everyone from first timer to seasoned veteran. Beginners and Juniors can choose to challenge themselves at the shorter Taste or Junior distance. More adventurous paddlers looking for a little more challenge might opt to undertake the Enduro event, a longer and more difficult course. For the real adventurer, and greatest fun, the Ultra is your option.

For some participants this will be the second of three stages as they attempt to complete the Ultimate Adventurethon Demolish. Others will take a more leisurely approach and perhaps only tackle the run stage before heading off to spectate at the other events and get their kicks that way. Whatever approach you take we guarantee you will have a blast. You won’t get bored as you meander downstream on these courses.

Don’t own a suitable boat? No Problem:

Boat hire is available for the event. Rob Preston and Tim Boote (Trail Running Gippsland & ThoughtSports) can help. Rob has a small number of Finn Endorphins as well as several other options including a double CTR and intermediate and advanced skis. Tim can provide you with a Spirit PRS or a double CTR, one of each available so be quick!

Contact Rob Preston (rob_preston@hotmail.com) to arrange your hire.

Our wonderful friends at Venture Out can also assist with boat hire. Hire boats and SUPs come with paddles and PFDs so your all set in that department and the fantastic Sarah will deliver your boat/s to the event. You can get a boat (single) for the Ultra or Enduro for $39 ($70 for 2) or a double for ($59 – 10% off if hiring with bikes). A boat (single) for the Taste/Junior event for $29 ($50 for 2) or a double for $49 (10% off if hiring with bikes). Delivery to event is at no extra cost.

Contact Sarah on 0427731441

email info@ventureout.com.au

website www.ventureout.com.au

347b Esplanade, Lakes Entrance

View Map View Mandatory Equipment

Ultra (19 km)

Date: 24th April

Location: Howitt Park, Bairnsdale

Race start: 8:00 am

Compulsory race briefing: 7:45 am

Course description:

The lower stretches of the Mitchell River are a meandering and visually spectacular treat for any paddler.Hundreds of years of the river rising and falling has etched this river into the landscape and thick sections of vegetation line its banks for much of the route.The lower sections of the Mitchell River are more suitable for many newer paddlers with flat water to even out the field.

Flat Water is a great leveller of skill and allows less experienced paddlers to test themselves against more experienced paddlers in a safe and confident manner. The scenery at the East Gippsland paddle is really gorgeous and takes in a wide variety of terrain for those on a mission to take in the most gorgeous places the Region has to offer.

Enduro (9 km)

Date: 24th April

Location: Howitt Park, Bairnsdale

Race start: 8:45 am

Compulsory race briefing: 8:30 am

Course description:

On this Enduro course you will make your way upstream to the picturesque Picnic Point Reserve, however you will not want to stop there because the finish line is back where you came from! Flat water and great Scenery. Test yourself against others on this awesome 9 km course.

This middle distance Enduro is perfect for those wanting a challenge of all the disciplines but without the training demands required for the Ultra.

Taste & Junior (2 km)

Date: 24th April

Location: Howitt Park, Bairnsdale

Race start: 9:45 am

Compulsory race briefing: 9:30 am

Course description:

If you are new to the sport, have children who want to get involved or paddling isn’t your best leg, but you still want to give it a go then this is for you. 2 km is a perfect distance to have a bit of fun, and push yourself, but not need all of the endurance and speed of the ULTRA . Expect it to take between 15 & 25 minutes for most paddlers.

All forms of paddle powered craft welcomed here from wide sit on plastic kayaks to sleek river and ocean racers, there are no rapids in this race so a surf rudder will be fine to use.

Complete the course as an individual or double.

Get training and start planning the weekend away.

EAST GIPPSLAND ADVENTURERun

Welcome to the Mitchell River Adventure Run – Adventurethon Demolish East Gippsland – Stage 3.

Escape from the “same-same” of regular road running and become absorbed in the adventure experience as you run along the edge of the Mitchell River, through tracks, water crossings, rock scrambles and so much more (includes Abseil near the end of the 20km run).

Our short course turns and crosses the River early and allows a safe crossing amongst the pools, with the gentle sound of rapids . The long course continues further along the edge of the River before crossing the river and taking in the bulk of the amazing rapids from the rocks and trails that line its edges.

This Adventure run has a couple of safe sections to cross the river away from rapids with rope crossings if river becomes unseasonally high. For more adventure the Ultra (long) run will feature an ABSEIL. However those taking the shorter options, and spectators, can purchase their opportunity to abseil as well. You will have to be aware that the abseil will close once the final Ultra runner has passed, and you will have to finish your run before returning to the abseil so measure your time accordingly. the booking link will be available soon.

Date: Saturday 24th April 2021

Competitor options: Ultra (long) 20 km (INCLUDES ABSEIL); Enduro (medium) 10 km; Taste/Junior 6 km

Registrations: Registration is online only. Registrations close 9:00 pm Thursday 22nd April or when sold out.

Race Pack Pickup: 1:30 pm Echo Bend

You must attend in person to collect your race pack as you will need to sign an indemnity form. You will also need to nominate an emergency contact person (so make sure you have your phone handy if you’re not great at remembering phone numbers). Come along, hang out, talk bikes (or boats or trail shoes), look at maps, practice getting into an abseil harness and using the descending device, listen to the event briefing (not mandatory) and pick up some last minute Adventurethon merchandise.

Presentations: 6:30 pm at race HQ

All runners will receive their medallions at Presentations. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each category will be presented and all finishers will be invited to collect a finishers medallion.

General information:

The trails in Mitchell River NP create an awesome course for beginners and juniors with lots of fun without the technical challenges of the longer courses. More adventurous runners looking for a little more adventure might opt to undertake the Enduro event, a longer distance with more technical sections to negotiate but this course should be achievable for beginners that are really up for a challenge. For the real adventurer, and most fun, the Ultra is your option; a long cross country course with lots of fun sections interspersed with some technical challenges.

For some participants this will be the third of three stages as they attempt to complete the Ultimate Adventurethon Demolish. Others will take a more leisurely approach and perhaps only tackle this stage. Whatever approach you take we guarantee you will have a blast. You won’t get bored as you traverse different terrains on these courses.

Don’t forget to check out our logistics page to see the sweet camping options for Saturday night so you are on site and ready for your Sunday morning run.

View Map View Mandatory Equipment

Ultra (20 km)

Date: Saturday 24th April

Location: Echo Bend Bark Hut

Race start: 2:30 pm

Compulsory race briefing: 2:15 pm

Course description:

The Ultra course starts at race HQ and circulates out through sections of private land before taking you into the magnificent Mitchell River NP. There you will encounter panoramic views over the river and spend time in the beautiful forests. Don’t get too carried away though, you may also have to rock hop and river cross before getting to the biggest adrenalin rush an ABSEIL and finally the glory of the finish line.

Note: All abseiling gear and Qualified instructors are supplied at Abseil station.

Enduro (10 km)

Date: Saturday 24th April

Location: Echo Bend Bark Hut

Race start: 3:00 pm

Compulsory race briefing: 2:45 pm

Course description:

Flowing through private land and National Park, the Enduro course provides you with a brief taste of the region. The run takes you through forest and along riverside to provide you with a memorable experience. This course will challenge those that don’t run much, especially those that don’t run trails, but it is very achievable. Don’t be shy, if you are even vaguely considering this run take the plunge and see what you can achieve when you try.

Taste & Junior (6 km)

Date: Saturday 24th April

Location: Echo Bend Bark Hut

Race start: 3:30 pm

Compulsory race briefing: 3:15 pm

Course description:

The Taste/Junior course starts at race HQ and takes you out and around a really enjoyable trail loop. I know, there are some hills, but it wouldn’t be a real taste of trail running without some hills. Remember it is not a long course and the trails are good and interesting and ideal for those dipping their toes into trail running (or walking) or adventure sports. A great opportunity to get out with the ankle biters and de-stress in nature.

Check this page regularly for up to date Logistics Information

Information Booklet

The Competitor Information Booklet has everything you need to know to about the weekend. From how to get there to timings of races. Be sure to read it carefully. This book is an evolving entity so may be subject to changes. Please remember to get updated versions as they appear. The current version is V4.

Competitor Information Booklet

Format

Download Schedule of Events

Adventurethon Demolish has 3 different stages for you to choose from, RIDE; PADDLE; RUN. You can choose to do JUST 1 Stage (or 2 stages) or complete the ALL THREE. It really is up to YOU, and your preferences. There are also multiple distances to choose from in each of the stages. Don’t forget you can compete as a team.

The beauty of the DEMOLISH format is the opportunity to PICK AND CHOOSE events that appeal to you; for example, if you are an avid Mountain biker and can’t paddle, or find it hard to get a team together, you can just compete in the ride stage or add on the run stage to your schedule. Those that really want to challenge themselves are able to attempt all three stages to complete the ULTIMATE DEMOLISH.

Within each stage there are a choice of distances to suit all comers, from the very beginners to elite athletes, so there is ample opportunity to mix and match stages and distances to suit your abilities and perhaps challenge yourself.

Event stage times are designed to allow plenty of time for competitors and spectators to travel safely between stage locations so why not have a go at something new as well as take on disciplines you enjoy. If not competing in a stage why not head out and spectate so you get an appreciation of what is involved in other sports, but be careful, you might just get enthused and ‘wish you had been brave’.

Stage 1: Mt Taylor XC Friday evening (23rd April)

Stage 2: Mitchell River Flow Saturday (24th April)

Stage 3: Mitchell River Adventure Run Saturday (24th April)

location

East Gippsland is located in Victoria and is 351km east of Melbourne. The region is full of history, beautiful scenery and jam-packed with activities. Explore the unspoilt beaches, lakes and mountains. Bairnsdale will be the main location we use, and is located on a bend of the beautiful Mitchell River.

“Your ideal base for exploring the vast Gippsland Lakes, Mitchell River and the surrounding forests. Bairnsdale is a laid-back country town where many scenic drives start and finish” – Visit Victoria

downloadable maps

Mt Taylor MTB

Download/View ride maps

Mitchell River Paddle

Download/View paddle maps

Mitchell River Adventure run

Download/View run maps

Equipment checklist

Please be sure to read the entire checklist below as there are mandatory items on the checklist which you will need to make sure you have before race day. You may be asked to present items from the mandatory list at any stage of the race.

All competitors must carry all mandatory items, these items can not be shared between competitors (ie in the pairs category both people must have all items).

Download Checklist

Accommodation

East Gippsland has a range of accommodation options to meet your needs. This includes cheap accommodation and options for those who prefer a more luxury stay. We encourage you to stay the weekend and explore this beautiful location. Please use this link (www.visiteastgippsland.com.au ) to find the accommodation that best suits you, there are some wonderful options on offer.

List of accomodation

Car hire & Transport

Need to hire a car to be able to explore the region in the easiest convenience, you have a few options. Click the link below to check what cars are on offer in East Gippsland.

Budget Car Rental Hertz Car Rental

Activities

East Gippsland isn’t a place where you will be bored. Are you interested in water activities, what about arts, culture and history? More of land activity kind of person? Maybe you want to check out the iconic destinations or the parks and wilderness? East Gippsland offers tours and cruises and adventure activities. If you just want to chill go do some retail recovery, find a cafe or relax with a cold beer. If you nodded your head with that list then there will more than enough for you to do in this amazing region.

Be sure to click the link and see what you want to get up to and plan your day so you don’t miss out anything.

Things To Do