One hundred and forty competitors from all over Australia kick started their ‘Forty Eight Hour Adventure’ event at Bennett’s Beach last Saturday 6 June.

Another group of about one hundred started a half course in Port Stephens.

The aim of the yearly event is to be an ‘ultimate test of your physical and mental limits’.

Race Director Louise Foulkes said, ‘’The race is a test of endurance with the main disciplines being Navigating, Mountain Biking, Kayaking and Running.”

“Every year we have ‘mystery disciplines and this year those are Snorkelling and Rafting due to the many waterways available in your area.”

This year’s full course covers approximately Two Hundred and Forty kilometres and competitors have Forty Eight Hours to complete it.

Some teams are expected to finish well within this time frame having all manner of obstacles including sleep deprivation to contend with.

The course was only revealed to competitors on Friday leaving them only Twenty Four hours to organise their equipment and changeovers and support crew.

Planning and fitness are key to success as decision making becomes more difficult in the latter stages of the race.

Speaking to Team Navy this morning, Gary Holgate said “It’s a bit nervy now, we really just want to get going and get to the end in one piece.”

“We have done about twenty endurance and adventure races together over Eight years but this is the first Forty Eight Hour race.”

The crew had travelled from HMAS Albatross at Nowra to represent the Royal Australian Navy.

According to organisers, there was even a crew from Alice Springs who had never seen the Ocean before but was out in it paddling away like seasoned veterans.

Good luck to all competitors and we look forward to seeing you back in the future as we all know with our waterways and bush areas we have the best natural venue available.

See the course: Mountain Designs GeoQuest – Australia’s Premier Adventure Race