Cooking the Kiwis!
Adventurethon Magnetic Island would kick off the 21st Adventurethon event on March 19 & 20 and so we were thrilled when higher than expected numbers meant a sell-out event before regos closed. In the two weeks leading up to the event, the ‘dome’ over Townsville lifted and we experienced heavy rainfall, changing the trails from very dry to having water crossings and flowing creeks.
As we prepared for the wet conditions, it was wonderful to wake up on Friday morning with sunshine and clearing skies. Although this would now mean a much higher heat and humidity than previously expected.
As the sun rose Saturday morning and competitors started arriving, you could tell it was going to be a great day. Bikes and boats were checked in, race bibs sorted and last minute toilet stops made. All eyes were on the two Sams as they prepared to battle it out for the top spot in the BNG Sports Ultra Adventurethon. We looked forward to the challenge and the unknown possibilities from other Ultra competitors. With many athletes travelling from out of Queensland, the weather was sure to play a factor in the days events. And we couldn’t wait to see how it all unfolded.

The longer the day went on the more the heat became a challenge so many competitors were more than impressed and appreciative (as were we!) that the Maggie locals got behind them, with at least seven different ones hosing them with water along the way to keep them cool.

The wind had almost completely dropped off, with even the Adventurethon flags not moving. This made for a hot, slow paddle for many competitors, and as the heat increased, things were about to get testy.
The Ultra paddlers heading around to Radical Bay enjoyed the small bumps, but all in all there was not much assistance for paddlers.
A massive Congratulations to New Zealand’s Sam Clark who was the first Ultra Individual competitor to cross the line in (05:55:23), edging out local Adventurethoner Sam Stedman by 12 minutes (6:07:49). Andrew Everingham crossed the line first in the elite males with a time of (7:16:35). The elite guys had as many challenges along the way as everyone else, with both Sams having tyre issues and Sam Clark featuring in an impressive bike stack on the pipeline trail, which saw him come off the bike and his bike come flying over him.
We love seeing the women competing in the Ultra and with a mixture of competitors, it was looking to be an interesting race. Fiona Dowling, visiting New Zealand athlete, did not have a trouble free lead in to the race, after arriving on Wednesday to discover her bike box was missing and contemplating Plan B’s. All ended up ok though, and Fiona’s bike box was found and delivered to her on the island.
Fiona was the first Female Open Ultra to finish the race, (6:59:43). Local Maggie Island female, Laura Dunstan, finished second (7:47:21). And Lia Johnson finishing third (9:09:33).