24 hours of adventure

IN A FIRST for the region, and the state, the Surf Coast will play host to the Buckley’s 24hr Adventure Race.

This weekend, more than 140 people will take part in the challenge, mountain biking, kayaking and trekking their way through different checkpoints for 24 hours in teams of two and four.

Today (Saturday, October 26) and on Sunday, October 27, participants will use a map and compass to navigate their way through the course, moving between transition areas and covering a total of 120km.

For those not keen on taking on the 120km race, they also have the option of completing the half course, also within 24 hours, giving teams a greater chance to reach the finish line.

Anglesea will mark the starting point, with event director Chris Dixon saying participants don’t find out the exact course until a few hours before the event, adding to the challenge.

“They know they’re doing about 80km of mountain biking, 20km of trekking and about 15 to 20 kilometres of paddling, but they don’t know what order or where.”

Along with the challenge of the race being 24 hours, teams will also face some big hills and the added difficulty of navigating at night.

Mr Dixon said after people sit at a desk all day, in meetings and zoom calls, they need to get out and experience something a little bit different.

“I think that’s why people turn up and also, the idea of just hanging out with your mates for 24 hours in the bush – it’s a pretty unique experience.”

The Surf Coast was chosen for the event because of the location and the “rugged and wild” coastline.

“There’s lots of great paddle options, great kayaking options and some beautiful mountain biking too and there’s a really good adventure culture,” Mr Dixon said.

For more information, head to buckleys24.com.au