The best adventure races in Australia

The first Sprint Series Adventure Race of the 2024 season kicked off on a beautiful Sunday morning set against the stunning backdrop of Tomakin Batemans Bay in the Eurobodalla region of the NSW South Coast. With pleasant temperatures in the low 20s, blue skies, and sunshine, the stage was set for an unforgettable adventure.

The Sprint Series Adventure Race, a concept by Adventure Junkie, aims to introduce participants to the world of adventure racing in a safe, accessible, and fun format. Teams of two run, bike, and paddle their way between checkpoints marked on a map, spending approximately 3-5 hours on the course. There are two courses available: Classic (longer and more challenging) and Novice (more accessible and family-friendly).

Tomakin served as the race headquarters, with the scenic coastline providing a picturesque backdrop for the exciting adventure that lay ahead. Teams set off non-competitively on their bikes towards the famous Mogo State Forest, where both courses began their race with a challenging climb before delving into the bush.

The Classic course featured 9 checkpoints, including a bonus one, spread across 4WD trails of varying quality. Some sections were wet, muddy, and technically demanding, with steep hills adding to the challenge. Meanwhile, the Novice course offered a slightly shorter ride with 5 checkpoints, providing opportunities to test navigation skills and face some uphill pushes.

A traffic management team was stationed at a significant road crossing, ensuring the safety of participants as they rode across on a high speed.

The Novice course's second leg featured a paddle on the stunning Tomaga River, with two checkpoints to locate. Multiple stingrays were witnessing the racers. One team missed a checkpoint and ventured out to the ocean before realising their mistake. Still, they took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views and even stopped for a spectacular coffee break on the boat ramp before returning for the final run leg. The youngest participant demonstrated remarkable determination and enthusiasm; adventure has no bounds.

The Classic course's second leg comprised a run along hidden paths, the picturesque Barlings Beach, and secluded spots, followed by a paddle stage that included a run leg to an optional checkpoint located on a remote peninsula only accessible by foot during low tide. This unique checkpoint proved to be a memorable highlight for many teams that attempted to visit it.

In the Novice course, well-known Canberra orienteer Fedor Iskhakov and his 10-year-old daughter Veronica took an early lead and maintained it until the finish, completing the course in a record time of 1:38:49. This impressive achievement marked Veronica's first adventure race and served as a proud moment for the father-daughter duo. Fedor looks forward to participating in the X-Marathon adventure race later in August.

The Classic course was won by team "That's a Paddlin'," consisting of Rex Wickenden and Phil Wood-Bradley. They completed the course in 3:02:02, collecting all bonus checkpoints and achieving a final result of 1:35:02. This marked their triumphant return after last year's podium finish.

“Wagga Wagga Worrior Warriors”, a team of brothers Oliver and Gabriel James, secured the second spot on the Classic course podium with a final result of 1:51:47, having successfully collected all bonus checkpoints. Team "Lames Tan," made up of Liam White and James Brown, came in third with a result of 1:59:35.

Many participants praised the variety of terrain and the challenges they faced.

The Batemans Bay Sprint Series Adventure Race delivered an atmosphere of excitement, camaraderie, and new connections, creating an adventure that will be remembered for years to come.

The next Batemans Bay event is primarily scheduled for the exact first weekend in March but on Saturday to allow teams to enjoy a recovery day on a beautiful coast. 

 The full results are available on the event website>>, the next Sprint Series Adventure Race stop is on Surf Coast Victoria in Anglesea>>

The event would not be possible without a support from Eurobodalla council, Forestry NSW and volunteers.  Photography by Ben Cirulis.