The Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge TV program will go to air on Network Ten nationally on Sunday 12 April at 1.30pm. This is a great opportunity to see all of the action from the event.
Visit the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge website for all of the details.
The Mark Webber Challenge is a charity event supporting the Mark Webber Foundation. The 2008 Challenge was again a fantastic experience. The Challenge has established itself as one of the most intense adventure races in the world. Telstra employee Jacinta Worland and I, partnered to compete in the Ambassadors Cup. Teamwork was paramount as we traversed a wide variety of terrain including Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake and the cliffs of Fortescue Bay. It was great to see that Team Telstra won the Van Diemen Cup! Mark Comer, Phil Barrett, Keith Mearns and Richard Palmer defended their title in the corporate teams of four.
Many leading athletes participated along with celebrity guests and corporate teams. It was fantastic to be part of the event and to have the opportunity to support such a committed Australian like Mark Webber, who despite living in the UK, sets a great example by contributing to Australian charities year in and year out. Visit the Mark Webber Challenge site to see the full wrap-up of the event at www.markwebberchallenge.com
You can also read how Telstra helped facilitate the immediate response to Mark Webber when he was injured at Now we are talking
Update from Keith Mearns
Today saw us move from the beautiful Lake Barrington and head North to Launceston. We had a difficult 32km mountain bike section which took approximately 2 hours. The mountain biking was 3 laps of 9 km course with some challenging up hills and technical down hill sections followed by a 5 km paved section to Launceston Gorge. The highlight of the mountain biking was the opportunity for spectators and sponsors to view the from the comfort of the marquee which was set up adjecent to the course.
Once at the Gorge we had a tourellean road section this involved pulling ourselves across the Launceston Gorge suspended by cables high above the water. After a short sharp run we traversed back across Launceston Gorge on a flying fox, then a quick run down towards the lower end of the Gorge where we climbed back under Launceston bridge. From here we ran back to the top of the Gorge and finished the day with a white water rafting section.
From Launceston we have a 4 hour drive to Port Arthur and a challenging day tomorrow. Team Telstra is in 4th place around 1hour off the lead leading the Van Dieman’s cup by several hours.
Everyone is in good spirits although starting to feel the effects of 3 days of hard racing. We’ve had a few minor scrapes and bruises although nothing to serious.
Cheers, Keith
Update from Mark Comer
Also visit the Mark Webber Challenge site to track the teams progress.
Well day two is done and dusted. Unfortunately it rained all night and was pouring again this morning so we couldn’t do the Mt Rolland. While it is very tough it is spectacular. It would have given us the chance to gain some time back on some of the leaders as trekking is our strength.
The day ended up involving a 25km mountain bike ride including a monstrous 4km climb at the end (just over 1 hour 10mins), after that we ran part of the intended run course - a very steep climb. We ran along some wet tracks) in reverse to get a checkpoint then returned the same way (around 1h hour). The next stage involved a spectacular mountain bike ride mainly down hill and the boys particularly Keith let loose (30mins). The final leg was over a 7km paddle.
In the end we lost a bit of time to team Keen, Red Bull and Driza-Bone but made up time on all others. In the corporate division we are about 1hr 30 in front of RBS so well placed. The team is doing well and holding together pushing each other hard as we go.
Tomorrow is a hard and fast mountain bike ride followed by some rope activity and white-water rafting in Launceston. Tomorrow will also include a big run so should be a good day for us.
Cheers, Mark
We arrived this morning and have registered. It is beautiful today but the weather is expected to get nasty later in the week.
We fitted out our bikes, checked all our new gear (clothes, shoes, bags, etc) and had a quick kayak. I am in a boat with Keith, and Phil and Richard are in the other. We’ve checked the rudder this year having had a crooked one last time.
Most competitors have arrived and we are slowly meeting everyone. I sat next to Leigh Colbert (Nth Melbourne exAFL) he is looking forward to the event but also nervous about racing 6 to 8 plus hours for 5 days.
The course looks good. Days 1, 2 and 4 will be hard. Day 2 will be particularly hard as it involves running Mt Rolland like last year (3 mountain peaks) with a mountain bike before and after, followed by a 7km kayak.
Cheers
Mark
