COMPETITORS faced the best — and toughest — the region has to offer in the Upper Murray Challenge on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
About 70 athletes took part in the annual multi-sport event which features a 38-kilometre mountain bike ride through forest trails, a 26-kilometre paddle down the Swampy Plains River to the Murray River, and ends with a 25-kilometre run.
Race organiser Steve Taylor said people came from as far as Western Australia and New Zealand to test themselves against the gruelling course.
“They loved the course and scenery, the weather couldn’t have been better and people found it really challenging and tough,” Taylor said.
“But we had some pretty good results and it was a really good day without major incidents.
“One bloke broke a rudder and another hit his boat on a rock and had to withdraw.
“But that happens with the faster boats which can come unstuck fairly easily, even when blokes are generally pretty handy with the boats.
“It’s unique and there’s prestige around the challenge because it’s renowned as a tough event.”
Even with the best preparation there were still plenty of spills on the paddle, with the Albury and Border Rescue Squad again on hand.
“I’d really like to thank all the volunteers including the Border Rescue Squad,” Taylor said.
“It’s a unique course,” Taylor said.
“Friends and experienced paddlers rate it as the best paddle in any multi-sport event in Australia.
“And in the mountain bike the terrain has up and down hills, and single tracks crossing the Swampy Plains River, crossing creeks — it’s got everything which levels out the field.
“Riding through the bush is beautiful too — it’s a lot nicer than looking up at the skyline thinking when am I going to get there.”
Eventual winner Jarad Kohlar had his own road block in the form of a disinterested herd of cattle.
But that’s part of the nature of adventure racing, which he said regular competitors embraced.
“It’s that outdoor element, being involved in nature and the people who tend to be involved in the events are the active, high on life kind of people,” Kohlar said.
“They’re quite positive and that rubs off on everyone in the event.
“You understand if something happens out on the course you lend a pump out, you give someone a cuddle, you give food.
“It’s more about finishing than winning.”