AusLeisure

Baw Baw Extreme - Australia’s newest and most challenging one day multisport event – is returning to Baw Baw over the weekend of 15th-16th October.

Combining the disciplines of kayaking, mountain biking and trail running, Baw Baw Extreme is designed to test competitors’ physical and mental capabilities, create a sense of connection with nature and the environment and to showcase Baw Baw Shire’s stunning natural attractions to an active community.

The event is crafted by the Adventure events management company, Adventure Junkie, and sponsored by Baw Baw Shire Council, Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort and Destination Gippsland.

The event’s epic 84 km linear course will take the toughest and the most daring national endurance athletes on a journey from historic Walhalla to the scenic Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort via the thrilling rapids of the Thomson River. 

Baw Baw Extreme is described as a classic ‘Man vs Mountain’ challenge where individuals, relay teams and pairs conquer an epic, fully marked off-road course, set in Baw Baw’s rugged mountainous terrain. Elite solo competitors will paddle, run and ride the course non-stop on their own while others will compete as a team, completing one discipline per person or splitting the course into a two-day journey. 

This unique event features the most spectacular natural highlights of the region including the rapids of the Thomson River, exciting mountain bike trails of the Erica Mountain Bike Park, unique alpine landscapes of the Baw Baw plateau, scenic Australian Alps walking trail, famous Walhalla Goldfield’s rail trail as well as the historic gold-mining township of Walhalla. 

The participants for this event will come from across Victoria as well as from interstate. The top Australian multisport talents line up for the race including Tasmanian elite racers Robbie Hunt and Sorcha Flett, Queensland’s Klayten Smith and of course our own Victorian Tim Boote and last year winner Luke Haines. Ben Allen, Winner of 14x Xterra World Tour Races, Australian Surf Life Saving Champion, Australian Adventure race champion and Australian ITU Cross Triathlon Champion is returning to multisport and expressed his interest to join the event.

The race offers multiple entry options to suit all: elite Solo athletes in the one day event will be racing for $4,000 cash prizes, while everyone can give it a go and become their own hero in one day relay category or the two-day event. 

The 84 km course consists of four distinct legs:

• Run from Walhalla to Thomson Railway Bridge (5km)
• Downriver Thomson River paddle (14km)
• Mountain bike from Bruntons Bridge to Erica (2 day racers finish here). Then from Erica to O’Sheas Mill Site, East Tyers Campsite (total 40km) 
• Trail run from O’Sheas Mill Site to the top of Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort (25km) 

Serge Kurov, event director enthused “Organising Baw Baw Extreme event is our major achievement. The race covers such a diverse and challenging terrain and it’s such a privilege to create a course in the Baw Baw region. We’re excited to have an opportunity to bring this event back again. It’s incredible to be a part of a mission the competitors are gearing up for the epic Baw Baw Extreme course, to help them to conquer all the odds and to greet them at the finish line in the beautiful Mount Baw Baw Village.”  

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Michael Leaney added “Baw Baw Shire is thrilled to welcome back Baw Baw Extreme for another year. We look forward to seeing the competitors in action as they tackle the challenging course and navigate the diverse and picturesque landscapes of our incredible region.”

Amon Bradshaw, Marketing Manager at Mt Baw Baw shared “we can't wait to welcome the event back and would like to encourage participants and spectators to make the most of the event by really enjoying what Mt Baw Baw and the surrounding areas of Gippsland have to offer.”

By all accounts, the course is tough, demanding, and spectacular and offers an incredible feeling of accomplishment for all level of athletes who reach the finish line of this event. 

2021’s female winner, Elizabeth Dornom has only positive comments about the competition last year noting “there was fantastic camaraderie from other competitors, superb assistance from support crew, lots of helpful volunteers and a very well organised event.”

This was echoed by the 2021 male winner Luke Haines who said “it turned out to be an Epic multi-sport event for everyone and worthy of the extreme tagline.”

The event details and registration are available at Baw Baw Extreme's website. 

Image courtesy Visit Baw Baw 

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