Up for a challenge?

Four thoroughly enjoyable but earth-shatteringly good days have just drawn to a close.

I’ve run through rivers, mountain biked some serious descents and paddled 10kms of open water between the mainland and Magnetic Island.

My body is telling me that’s enough, stop, don’t attempt anything else this week – its time for recovery. Aching arms, a tired core, overused legs, mosquito bites dotted over shoulders and ankles…and this isn’t even the real thing yet.

I’ve travelled to Queensland’s tropical north to sample exactly what I’ll be taking on later in the year. My first ever adventure race.

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Tropical North Queensland is branded ‘Adventurous by Nature’, and rightly so. With rainforest, mountains and the ocean completing the outdoor tapestry it appeals to runners, riders and paddlers alike.

A diversion from the standard road marathon happens in Port Douglas on November 14 when the Solar Eclipse Marathon heralds the arrival of not just an inter-cosmic experience in the sky above, but also 3,000 people from around the world.

They’ll be pitting their wits against each other but also the challenging 42km course as it winds it way along flat roads, down Four-Mile beach and up the infamous Bump Track. A good way to attempt a different form of running…not a standard marathon by a long shot, but no pure trail-run by any means. Visit the website at www.solar-eclipse-marathon.com to find out more or watch the YouTube clip below:

If all of that sounds a little gentle, in no way strenuous and below you, then strap yourself in. Adventurethon is most definitely what you need.

Magnetic Island forms the backdrop for this event held over the last weekend in March; steep rocky trails, wide sandy bays and a humid climate will sort the men/women from the boys/girls!

There’s a number of disciplines on offer with the naming race being the daddy…professor…make that the executioner of the event – The Adventurethon.

Start with a 13km ocean paddle, throw in a 5km trail run, make them paddle the 13km back to the bikes, ride 30kms up and down the MTB trails before finishing with a knee-buckling 19km run along the beach to the finish line.

Absolutely ridiculous. So I signed up straight away…

It’ll take some serious training between now and then to even stand a chance of making the first paddle leg but these sorts of challenges are there to be taken on. If you’re still reading this now and aren’t completely exhausted by just the prospect of it, you’ll need to visit www.adventurethon.com.au to find out how to get involved or watch the YouTube clip below for a taster:

See you somewhere at the start line; barring training injuries or the fear factor kicking in!

Ben

Now I’m off to get some well-deserved rest, I’ll leave you with a couple of the local newspaper clippings from my visit: