Event Schedule
The Smith Family Challenge runs over three days starting on Thursday evening through to a Saturday afternoon.
Thursday 7 March
|
16:00 - 18:30 |
Teams arrive at Event Headquarters |
|
19:00 - 21:00 |
Welcome dinner and drinks |
Friday 8 March
|
6:00 - 8:00 |
Breakfast (Event Headquarters) |
|
8:00 |
Day 1 race start |
|
16:00 - 17:00 |
Teams arrive at finish line |
|
16:00 - 18:30 |
Drinks, snacks and recovery time |
|
18:30 - 20:00 |
Dinner and Day 1 results |
Saturday 9 March
|
7:00 - 8:00 |
Breakfast (Event Headquarters) |
|
8:00 |
Day 2 race start |
|
14:00 – 15:00 |
Teams arrive at finish line |
|
15:30 |
Finish line BBQ |
The Challenge Committee would like to invite all participants to stay on at the Event Headquarters on Saturday evening for the post-race celebrations. Accommodation, dinner and drinks will be provided.
Course
Over 2 days, teams of 4 will compete as a single unit to travel approximately 100km under their own power through one of Australia’s most scenic wilderness areas.
The terrain you will encounter varies from forest tracks to epic, cliff top trails.
The objective of The Challenge is to mountain bike, hike, paddle and navigate your way through several checkpoints to reach the finish line. Commonly known as Adventure Racing, it is as much about team work and using your head as it is about physical ability.
Adventure Racing is unlike other traditional fixed course events – your team will not know the course details until you receive the maps and instructions at the welcome dinner the night before the race start. As you can imagine, there is much excitement during the course launch followed by a frenzy of pre-race route planning, and secretly trying to see what other teams have planned.
The course is not marked except for a series of compulsory and optional hidden checkpoints that you must check-in at along the way - you have to use the provided topographic maps (and compass to a lesser extent) to navigate your way around the course. GPS devices are not allowed, so you must rely on your map reading and pace estimation skills (or follow a good team).
Event Disciplines
The core disciplines of The Challenge include:
- Mountain Biking
- Running or Trekking
- Flat Water Kayaking
- Navigation
- Special Activities
These will be a surprise until you receive the course information on Thursday night. Rest assured they are included as a fun part of the race and you don’t need any special equipment or skills to complete them.
Participants will cover a distance of approx. 100km over the two days of competition.
Each day will consist of multiple legs of each discipline. A typical Challenge course will be made up of the following distances:
Mountain Biking
45km to 55km
Running or Trekking
25km – 35km
Paddling
5km – 10km
Special Activities
~2km
Base Camp
Challengers will be hosted in a glamping style base camp.
The camp will be the centre of activity when not racing and will feature (nearly) all the comforts of home plus a few more.
Teams will be allocated two large Bell tents (2 people sharing) complete with thick mattresses and plush bedding.
The camp amenities will include hot showers, flush toilets, cold room and power to recharge devices. There is also a chill-out zone with comfortable chairs, a bar and drinks on ice which is a great place to share stories from the day and rehydrate.
In order to keep Challengers fuelled, there will be a selection of top quality food prepared on-site and served in a dedicated dining marquee.
