Kalbarri Race Report & Wrap up
Kalbarri Adventurethon Done & Dusted!
WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!
Thank you everyone who came down to compete, support and Volunteer over the weekend! What a terrific weekend we had, increased numbers and tremendous vibe from competitors and families. Firstly we would like to say how proud we are of everyone who competed. Well Done! Thank you on behalf of the Adventurethon Team, without YOU we would not be able to hold such an event!
A few special mentions
Thank you to all the competitors who travelled long distances to participate. We understand the value of traveling and are thrilled you took the time to come and join us.
Thank you to Ellen from Kalbarri Quadbike Safaris for all her help in track marking of the mountain bike course. Make sure you support the businesses that support you. Check them out HERE for all your quadbike needs, or book an outback adventure tour with them.
Thank you to Raidlight for their sponsorship of the Ultra Course and generous prizes for all division winners this weekend. For all of your hydration needs and racing extras check them out HERE and let them know Adventurethon sent you.
Thanks to Kristelle Savage for the photographs you can see if you click HERE. And lastly, but definitely not least, a special thank you to all the people who volunteered and supported our event in the lead up to the event and over the weekend. You guys make all the difference at our events and we appreciate every one of you.
Here’s the wrap up of the weekend!
HOT HOT HOT Conditions, picturesque scenery & Close finishes! Athletes and supporters gathered in the centre of the Kalbarri Township at the parklands next to the Anzac memorial on Chinaman Drive to compete or cheer on the adventurous on the weekend.
With 2015 being the second year in the running, Adventurethon Event Coordinators are proud to say numbers have increased since last year and see many successful years to come. The day kicked off with sweltering temperatures of 35 – 37 degrees. There was a good breeze building, however this turned out to be just as warm, and so provided a ‘fan-forced oven’ effect. The trick of the day was keeping cool. There was even an emu spotted cooling off in the river!
Ultra and Duathlon Runners headed out on the 21.9km trail run with a lightning pace from the Natural Bridge through to Eagle Gorge then followed the Marked Course along the Coastline. The first Ultra and Duathlon runners headed into transition with less than 30 seconds separating them. It is worth locking a paddle here into your calendar any time you are in the area! Ultra competitors then headed out for a 16km paddle (8km ocean, 8km river). Conditions for ultra paddle were great with 19 knotts southerly which made a headwind and some good runs back to the protected mouth of river. They then headed out on the 35km challenging bike course. Once completing and racking the bike, Ultra competitors ran the 100m dash on to the beach and up the finish shute.
Last years Kalbarri Adventurethon Champ, Kris Plain struck again taking the Raidlight Ultra win. Kris tackled the 21.9km run, 16km Paddle & 35km Mountain Bike in only (5:07:37). Daniel Baker finished 2nd.
It was awesome to see the difference in times between the top two Enduro finishers – with one being in the Masters Age group and one from the Open age group, finishing with a 2 second time difference. Enduros started out with a run from Pot Alley through to Red Bluff and onto the Beach. They then completed an 8km paddle up the Murchison River. This provided challenges of its own, with some areas of the river being quite shallow and requiring manoeuvring. Special mention goes out to Jasmin Hornby who took on the bike leg of the Enduro team ‘Team Hornby’ who battled flat tyres, the exhausting, energy sapping heat and still did not give up! That shows some real heart, well done!
It was good to see a mixture of people in the Enduro this year. Male Masters Phil Davies was the first Enduro to cross the finish line with a time 0f 4:05:13 , James White came in second in Male Masters category (6:00:34) and Andy Jones was third (6:00:46).
Male Opens Jason Joyner was the first individual to cross the line for the Enduro Open Male category (4:05:15). David Butler finished in 2nd place (04:43:15) with Adrian Quick finishing 3rd (05:06:23).
Female Opens Stephanie Allen was the first female Enduro over the line claiming 1st place (06:50:36). Cara Allen was second (6:50:40)
Teams Team Hornby were first to see the finish line in the Enduro race finishing in 7:04:11.
Dirty Duathlon:
Male Opens The first Male open to finish the AON Dirty Duathlon was Steve Fletcher in only (4:08:17). Benjamin Smit finished in 2nd place (5:02:25).
Taste of Adventurethon & Juniors
We love seeing our Taster’s have a great time out on course! And this year was no exception. The Taste of Adventurethon and Juniors were so exciting to watch. And this course, for a Junior, is as tough as you can get, so anyone who got up and had a go should hold their head high. We think you are amazing!! The format is nice, with beautiful scenery and exciting tracks.
Males Harry Jones took out 1st place for the Males category (1:18:25).
Females & Teams Gillian Houston finished first in the Female Category (01:41:29). Team Bacon & Egg finished first (2:19:25).
Our Juniors exceeded our expectations, but they always impress. The course is tough and those who step up and give it a go, when adults wont, show us exactly what they are made of.
Male 8-12yrs Daniel Davies claimed 1st place for his age category finishing in only (01:22:44). In 2nd place, Bo Davies finished (01:35:30).
Male 13 – 17 Jesse Houston finished first in his age group with a time of 1:28:23
Female 8-12yrs Jasmin Joyner finished first in her age group (1:302:26).
Team Junior
The Tomahawks finished first with a time of (01:38:01).
Make sure you check out Facebook over the coming days to see more photos from the weekend.