Western Australia hosts the biggest adventure race in world

Entries are flooding in to the world’s biggest adventure race that will once again be staged in Augusta, Western Australia in November.

The Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Fest typically attracts nearly 4,000 competitors across three events over the festival weekend and within one week of entries opening the races are already nearly 70% full.

This year will be the 10th year of this iconic event and competitors will come from across Australia and overseas to experience the awesome event atmosphere, to race the challenging course and to try to stake a claim in the massive $20,000 cash prize pool.

“We are very pleased to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Augusta Adventure Fest in 2015 and so far entries have been as strong as ever into these popular events,” said Sam Maffett, Director from Rapid Ascent, the event managers.

“Over the years the event has provided plenty of rewarding adventure challenges in South West Western Australia. It seems that just about everyone has tackled the challenging off-road courses , from Olympic gold medallists and TV celebrities through to first timers and juniors who were still in nappies back when it all started in 2006.”

“The event is expected to sell out again this year and the inclusion of the Australasian Multisport Championships will provide some extra excitement and even more incentive for interstate and international competitors,” he said.

The event takes place amidst the wild landscapes of Augusta, South West, Western Australia, and consists of four off-road disciplines: trail running, ocean swimming, ocean paddling and mountain biking. 

The premier event of the weekend is the Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race on Sunday - a 56km multidiscipline off-road race with over 1,900 competitors tackling a 12.5km coastal run, 1.9km ocean swim, 13km ocean paddle, 26km mountain bike and 2.5km beach run to the finish.

This year, the full course Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race will also incorporate the Australasian Multisport Championships. This prestigious championship is administered and awarded by Multisport New Zealand and were held in Rotorua in New Zealand between 2011 and 2013. It came to Australia and the Lorne Adventure Fest in 2014 and will now be part of the Augusta race for the next two years. Last year the Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race was won by internationally renowned adventure
racer Braden Currie from New Zealand, who is the current Australasian Multisport Champion.

“Augusta is an incredibly scenic place, it’s really beautiful and the course is a real contrast to the conditions we have at home in New Zealand. It’s one of the best courses I’ve raced in Australia,” Currie said.

The Augusta Adventure Race also incorporates the Tri Nations Trophy, a three way battle between the best adventure racers from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Each nation has three designated competitors, all of whom compete as individuals, and the nation with the lowest cumulative team time is the winner. Last year the Australian team secured the trophy and will no doubt be fighting hard to retain it.

As well as the full course Adventure Race, the festival includes a half-distance Augusta Mini Adventure Race and the Augusta Junior Survivor for kids, which are both held on Saturday.
The Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Mini Adventure Race provides a pathway into the sport and was created especially for novices and intermediate adventurers who might be a bit overwhelmed by the main race. The 27km course provides similar off-road adventures as the full distance adventure race but in a smaller, bite sized version that’s less intimidating.

Jessica Reynolds from Dunsborough was the winning female individual of the Mini Adventure Race last year.

“I love the challenge and the unexpected that you always get with off road racing. This year I’m hoping to participate in the long course adventure race as part of a team before I tackle it as a solo participant next year,” said Jessica Reynolds.

“I can honestly say this is one of the friendliest sports out there. So many people are in it for fun and the Mini race is the perfect way to have a go in an environment that is supportive and manageable.”

“You don’t need to jump in head first. Team challenges are a fantastic way of dipping your toe in the water, so to speak. And getting friends and family involved can make it a social affair – helps for training too!”

The Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Junior Survivor is a 4km super fun running and obstacle adventure challenge designed especially for children aged up to 13 years of age. Each year it attracts a sell-out field of 900 kids who make their way around the course with laughs and smiles all the way!

“Healthway with the support of Mentally Healthy WA are proud to once again be the naming rights partner of the Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Fest. The world’s biggest adventure race is a great way for competitors and non-competitors alike to get active, feel a sense of belonging and commit to something meaningful in a fun and engaging way. These are all key ingredients that contribute to happiness and good mental health,” said Jo Clarkson, Acting Executive Director, Healthway.

The Augusta Adventure Fest is also proudly supported by the State Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program, which is funded by Royalties for Regions.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the event added vibrancy to Augusta by attracting thousands of local, national and international competitors, while promoting what the region has to offer.

“Supporting regional events such as the Augusta Adventure Fest plays an important role in the State Government’s strategy to increase the value of tourism to $12 billion by 2020,” said Dr Hames.

“Tourism is vital for regional Western Australia. In 2013-14, total visitor spend in the State was $8.3 billion, $3.5 billion of which was spent in regional WA.”

Check out all the event details at www.AugustaAdventureFest.com.au

EVENT DETAILS:
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2015 Where: Augusta, South West, Western Australia
What: Three race formats:  Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Race – the premier event covering 56km and incorporating the 2015 Australasian Multisport Championships and the Tri Nations Trophy  Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Mini Adventure Race – half distance event  Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Junior Survivor – 4km running and obstacle course for kids

Find out more at www.AugustaAdventureFest.com.au