Boasting a strong field of racegoers from along the East Coast, the Forster Adventure Race has been hailed a success by organisers, sponsors and participants.
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On Saturday (May 7) 170 adventure racers took to a course that saw them swim, run, ride, paddle and run from Elizabeth Beach in Pacific Palms to Main Beach Forster, through national parks, state forests and across Smiths and Wallis lakes.
Racers were treated to near perfect racing conditions for the 67km journey through the Great Lakes, warm water and a spectacular sunny day.
Among a strong contingent of locals and weekend adventure racers from Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns and the North Coast were some of Australia’s best adventure racers.
As usual the front of the field was a hard fought race between teams and individuals.
Each chasing and urging the other forward and pushing limits.
The leaders completed the 1.5km swim in just over 20 minutes and were soon tackling the 18km cross country run to Bungwahl.
Hot on the heels of teams were previous winners and placegetters Klayton Smith, James Pretto and Warren Keegan.
Top women racers were not far behind with Elizabeth Dorman leading with Darleen Cheney and Sue Pretto (mother of James) swapping the leads in the run and mountain bike leg.
Impressive run times, considering the difficultly of the course, saw the 30km mountain bike leg in play taking competitors through the Wallingat National Park all the way to Coomba.
The leaders flew on the bike leg enjoying the technical terrain and damp spots.
The top times on the bike leg were around 80 minutes.
Hitting the Coomba waterfront racers were close to the finish.
The next leg was the 16km stellar paddle which finished at the Tuncurry boat ramp.
There were some quick times on the water made sweeter with a paddle prize for the fastest male and female paddler.
The final leg was the Great Lakes run from Tuncurry to Main Beach Forster.
It was neck and neck at the front of the field with solo racers chasing down teams.
Team Morgan and Thule pushed hard to hold their gap over the lead solo racer to cross the finish in 5.20:33 and 5.24:31 respectively.
First male crossed in third place over all, Klayton Smith, from Sydney in a time of 5.27:18.
Last year Klayton came second and he was very happy to have been able to go one better. Second place went to previous winner James Pretto from Melbourne in a time of 5.32:57.
Third placed male was Warren Keegan in 5.45:40.
First female across the line was Elizabeth Dorman in 6.13:53, second was Darleen Cheney in 6.29:54 and third was previous winner Sue Pretto in 6.35:12.
Throughout the day teams, individuals and pairs continued to cross the finish line in Forster exhausted but happy.
Many commented on the difficulty of the course while at the same time praising it for its beauty and ruggedness.
The first placed mixed local team and winner of the Dave Bortfeld memorial trophy was Team Jake and Gerry’s in a time of 5.49:28.
First pair was Team Old and the New in 6.20:25.
Details and a comprehensive results list can be found @ www.forsteradventurerace.com.au or on the Forster Adventure Race Facebook page.