New race a winning format

The gruelling inaugural Forster Adventure Race in Australia has been won by Sydney team Beach n Bush. The team smashed the course in 4:58:00 followed closely by the local Aztec Forster Men’s A Team finishing in 5:01:28. Victorian athlete Jarad Kohlar was first solo male in a time of 5:02:36. First solo female home was Su Pretto of Valentine in 6:59:55. A strong contingent of local competitors tackled the event. They proved highly competitive with Hamish McLaren gaining the second solo spot and Aztec Forster Mixed B Team achieving the honour of first mixed team home, while Forster Natural Health was first female team.

Perfect weather conditions made for an incredible event. A warm, cloudless and windless day greeted competitors as they prepared to tackle the 67 kilometre course as they swam, ran, cycled and paddled their way from Pacific Palms to Forster. With the choice of competing as either an individual or as a team, the major change to the race this year was the new one day format, rather than the previous two-day race held by Anaconda.

The Pacific Palms 1.5 kilometre ocean swim was over quickly as Elizabeth Beach offered zero swell and clear water. Soon runners were traversing the Pacific Palms coastline heading towards Smiths Lake and the mountain bike transition area in Bungwahl.

The run leg proved tough for most, especially the big early climb, one of the organisers, Richard Old said. Leading the race at this stage was a group of all male teams, but hot on their heels was Jarad Kohlar.

Competitors moved out of the trail and on to the mountain bike leg through the Wallingat National Park and into a mix of muddy trails, single track and cold creek crossings. The ride finished in Coomba and hit the water of Wallis Lake for the Sharkskins paddle leg.

The race for line honours continued but the need to refuel saw the teams grab a break on solo racer Kohlar beating him to the final transition area by mere minutes. The last leg was a quick fire 2.5 kilometre run across the bridge between Tuncurry and Forster then onto the Forster main beach finish.

Although challenging, the athletes have declared the race an overwhelming success. “The race was very well run in all regards,” Pacific Palms life-guard and second placegetter, Hamish McLaren said. “The support from the volunteers, the logistics and the course itself were all fantastic. A huge thank you to Richard Old and his group for a job well done.”

The Forster Adventure Race was organised by an event project team comprising of the Great Lakes International Triathlon Association, Great Lakes Tourism and many local clubs and businesses.

by greatlakesadvocate.com

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