A total of 245 competitors tackled the 67km swim, run, ride, paddle and run from Elizabeth Beach in Pacific Palms to Main Beach Forster. 

The leaders completed the 1.5km MidCoast Water swim in just over 20 minutes before tackling the 18km Moby’s run to Bungwahl. Hot on the heels of local team, The Avengers, was 2012 winner Jarad Kohlar and fellow Melbourne racer James Pretto. 

Back in the field the top women racers were traversing the course with Maria Plyashechko and Sue Pretto (mother of James) swapping the lead in the run leg.

Impressive run times, considering the difficultly of the course, saw the Banks & Dade 30km Mountain Bike leg in play taking competitors through the Wallingat National Park to Coomba.

The leaders flew on the bike leg enjoying the technical terrain and damp spots with top times of around 80 minutes.

The 16km Sharkskins paddle to Tuncurry Boat Ramp also saw some quick times with local team, RFS Adventure Racing, pulling off an 87 minute paddle leg – the fastest on the day.

It was neck and neck during the final leg, the 2.5km Beach Bums Run from Tuncurry to Main Beach, with solo racers James Pretto and Jarad Kohlar chasing down the four-person team The Avengers. The Avengers held out for line honours crossing in a time of 4 hours 50 minutes and 17 seconds. James Pretto from Melbourne was the first individual across the line in a time of 4:51:51. Second Male was Jarad Kohlar in 4:53:31 ahead of third placed male Lucas Gamble in 5:21:08. First female across the line was Maria Plyashechko in 6:05:02 ahead of last year’s winner Sue Pretto in 6:33:00 and third placed Melissa Cocks 6:52:40.

Organisers dubbed the 2013 event an unequivocal success with 35 per cent increase in entries.

With the race date set for the Forster Adventure Race 2014 (Saturday May 10), plans are already under way for an even bigger event.