Following the success of the inaugural edition of Alpine Quest Falls Creek, brought about by the Adventure Junkie team over the Australia Day long weekend, all efforts are now being thrown into bringing the 8th edition of X-Marathon Adventure Race to the next level, and delivering a high standard expedition adventure racing event.
X-Marathon is the toughest Adventure Junkie race, which since 2011 has been delivering spectacular and challenging courses. This race usually attracts the majority of top Australian teams.
Last year’s winner was Wild Earth Tiger Adventure, led by Gary Sutherland, followed closely by team Thunderbolt and the Thought Sports team in third.
The battle was tough, and the first 2 teams reached the finish line within a few minutes of each other, having been hot on each other's heels for the entire race.
The length of the 2019 event will differ from previous years, with the cut-off time for the Full course extended to 60 hours. The winning team is expected to complete the race within 35 hours.
The course extension is implemented to accommodate the requirements of an epic and scenic course, already drafted, in the coastal wilderness of remote East Gippsland.
The Half course time limit is 40 hours, with the winning team expected to complete the race within 20 hours.
The core disciplines will be navigationally-based kayaking, trekking and mountain biking, for both courses with the addition of packrafting for the full course only.
Organised by Adventure Junkie's team, Serge and Maria, who has competed in over 15 World Championship races in different disciplines, all over the globe, and who have more than 10 years combined experience in organising adventure races.
“We like to set seriously challenging, but achievable, courses. What stands out and differs about our events is that we actually research and examine each leg and the majority of route choices, ensuring the maps are accurate and corrected where necessary and that the course is safe and manageable” they said.
X-Marathon 2019 is scheduled for 1-4 November. The change in dates is based on milder weather for racing, the possibility of higher river levels, a lower fire danger, and public holidays, in order to accommodate participants’ work commitments by requiring less time away from work.
The HQ location for the 2019 edition is Mallacoota. Mallacoota is the last official Victorian township on the east coast before reaching the New South Wales border and is one of the main villages along the Wilderness Coast Walk from NSW to Victoria. There is access to numerous national parks, the inlet, and the ocean.
Mallacoota is a popular holiday destination and has a regular population of a bit over 1,000 people, with festive seasons drawing in an additional 7,000-plus people due to its spectacular location, suitable infrastructure and climate.
The variety of accommodation available will allow participants to bring along their families and make a holiday out of it.
Registration is open from Thursday, 21 February, and the first 10 teams to register within 3 days will receive a special Fairy Bird rate.
Registration will remain open until 16 October, if not sold out before.
- What: A fully supported expedition race with Full (60h) and Half (40h) courses
- When: 1-4 November 2019
- Participants: Teams of four, in Premier Mixed, Female and Male categories
- Where: Mallacouta, East Gippsland Victoria Australia
- Details and registration: xmarathon.com.au
