Coast hosts another big sporting event

Another exciting event held in our region was Mountain Designs Hells Bells 24hr Adventure Race – part of the Adventure Racing World Series, Oceania Region held last month.

Organiser of the 24-hour event, Chris Dixon from Wild and Co, received a grant from the Gympie Region Council in 2019 to hold the event in this region.

He said: “It was a strange year with Covid and there seemed to be new rules even the week before the event, meaning we couldn’t have an opening and closing event or a live briefing, but we were very glad to see the event go ahead.”

The full course is 120km and the half course is 80km and 100 competitors took part in the team event.

The course is 90% off road and includes a five km run from Rainbow to Carlo Point using trails, then a 25km paddle from Carlo to Tin Can Bay via Inskip Point, a 10km run in the back of Tin Can Bay, and 80km mountain bike ride to the Cooloola National Park and then finally a 13km trail run.

Chris said:“Because of the number of competitors and family who came along, we booked out Rainbow Beach and a lot of Tin Can Bay.

“All competitors were urged to shop and eat locally instead of bringing in supplies this year and all brought thousands of dollars into our economy.

“We wanted the economic impact to be pretty decent and we asked our competitors to push all their money into the economy.

“The event began in 2004 and moves around every year and the course is confidential for the competitors until two hours prior to the race.”

The winning team for the full course was a two-men and two-women team called Tri Adventure Rogue who won in 13 hours and the winner for the half course was a two-women team, Tri Adventure Vintage.

Thanks for coming, everyone!