X-ADVENTURE, Dunsborough 2016 entries open

Entries have opened for the 2016 edition of annual X-Adventure, an off-road triathlon in the stunning Dunsborough area in South West, Western Australia, over the weekend of 16-17 April 2016.

X-Adventure is the ideal mix of triathlon and adventure racing; combining ocean swimming, trail running and mountain bike riding.

This is Australia’s largest off-road triathlon with 1,500 competitors expected across the weekend.  There’s a race for all ages and athletic abilities, with a 35.5km Long Course race, a half-distance 19km Short Course race and two kids events.

The event  takes place in the pristine coastal wilderness flanking Geographe Bay and Meelup Regional Park and truly ranks as one of the most spectacular settings of any race in the world.

Participants will swim in an ocean of turquoise water, run along a sculpted granite coastline interspersed with golden sandy beaches, and mountain bike on roller coaster, purpose-built, single track through fields of wildflowers and native grasstrees.

“We’re very excited to be bringing the 4^th edition of X-Adventure to WA,” said Sam Maffett, Event Manager, Rapid Ascent.

“Dunsborough is an adventure paradise, it’s such a beautiful area and the community is very welcoming. The event has an incredible atmosphere with so many young people and novices competing and the support from the crowd is fantastic,” he said.

The premier event for the weekend, X-Adventure Long Course, consists of a 1500m Dunsborough Lakes ocean swim, 12km WATT Australia coast and trail run, and a 22km mountain bike. It attracts a range of competitors from corporate relay teams through to weekend warriors and elite athletes.

The X-Adventure Short Course is designed for beginners and intermediate level adventurers who might be tackling an off-road triathlon such as this for the first time and is approximately half the distance.   It consists of a 700m ocean swim, 6km coast and trail run and an 11.5km mountain bike to finish.

The extremely popular Kids X-Adventure is designed for tomorrow’s sporting stars with a 200m swim, 2.5km trail run and 4km mountain bike. It’s a great opportunity to kids to participate in an achievable race, in a supportive race environment.

New for 2016 will be another kid’s event, the Groms X-Adventure. With an 800m trail run and 1.2km mountain bike (no swim) this is targeted to kids up to 8 years of age, providing them with a full introduction to off-road adventures. The event won’t be timed so all participants will be acknowledged as winners.

Located just 30 minutes from Margaret River in the state’s South West, Dunsborough’s Geographe Bay coastline is one of Western Australia’s most popular holiday destinations and with good reason.   Stunning scenery, cosmopolitan cafes,   restaurants,   wineries, a   variety of accommodation and a range of things to do will ensure competitors and spectators alike will be guaranteed a fabulous weekend.

“I just love adventure racing – the physicality of it and being outdoors “and I love Dunsborough,” said Jessica Reynolds, female winner of X-Adventure Long Course 2015.

EVENT DETAILS

When:       Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th April
Where:   Dunsborough, WA (based at the Dunsborough and Districts Country Club)
Who:          Individuals and relay teams are welcome.
What:

• Long Course X-Adventure:
  1500m Dunsborough Lakes ocean swim / 12km WATT Australia coast trail run / 22km mountain bike
• Short Course X-Adventure: 700m ocean swim / 6km coast trail run / 12km mountain bike
• Kids X-Adventure: 200m swim / 2.5km trail run / 4km mountain bike
• Groms X-Adventure: 800m trail run / 1.2km mountain bike