Baw Baw Shire to host a new premier multisport event this Autumn

Published on 01 March 2021

This media release shared on behalf of the Baw Baw Extreme event team. 

Combining the disciplines of kayaking, mountain biking and trail running, Baw Baw Extreme is designed to test competitor's 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.

On the weekend of 16 – 18 April 2021, the best Victorian, and possibly interstate, athletes will descend on Baw Baw to compete in an epic 84km multisport race.

Starting in the historical gold-mining town of Walhalla and finishing at the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort, the race will conquer a total ascent of more than 2km.  The racers will run, ride and paddle through the course, changing their gear at transition areas, where their support crews will bring additional supplies and cheer on the contestants.

The event will not only empower, inspire and motivate participants and spectators alike, but also promote the amazing natural attractions and exciting adventure sport opportunities the region has on offer.

Baw Baw Extreme offers multiple race options, allowing adventurers of all levels of skill and experience to take part. The fittest and highest skilled racers will test themselves in the Premier One Day Solo category and race the whole course non-stop. For these elite contestants, there will be a $4K cash prize pool up for grabs.

For the larger part of the field, it will be more of a personal challenge, to complete the whole epic course and push themselves to do their best.

For those serious athletes, Baw Baw Extreme demands years of training and dedication to win. However, the vast majority of competitors are recreational athletes and ‘Weekend Warriors’ that take home with them fantastic memories from the beautiful course and the challenges they overcome racing a Two-Day event (with overnight rest in Erica).

Many will enjoy the team/relay option, where a team of co-workers, friends and/or family can compete together, one person completing one leg and then passing to a teammate for the next leg.

The course will consist of a total of five legs.

The first leg is a short 5km run from Walhalla to Thompson Railway Station, where participants will get a taste of what’s ahead. 

They will then change into their paddling gear and experience all the thrills of the Thompson River. The 14km paddling sections will test, not only the endurance, but also skills of participants as they negotiate multiple grade 1+ rapids.

At Bruntons Bridge the racers will leave their paddling gear with their support crew and change into their mountain biking attire.

The 40km mountain bike course will take racers for a spectacular and challenging ride along multiple 4WD roads, a historical railway trail and sections of the Erica Mountain Bike Park, where they will explore “Crazy Snake” loop consisting of exciting, single tracks. In the town of Erica, Two Day course racers will finish up their first day, while the One Day participants will continue on, reaching the start of  the most gruelling section of the course, the trail run leg.

This last (but certainly not least!) section follows one of the most remote sections of the famous Australian Alps Walking Trail, visiting the spectacular Mushroom Rocks, Talbot Peak and Mt. Erica. The racers will climb over 1km during this 25km section, passing through a lot of tough and technical terrain which will test their limits and push their skills to the max.

It is expected to take the elite racers who will be racing non-stop, up to nine hours to complete the epic course.

The majority of the field will take a more attainable length of time across two days, with an overnight rest in Erica.

The race is a product of cooperation between AJ Events Management (who has specialised in the organisation of outdoor adventure events over the last nine years), Baw Baw Shire Council, Baw Baw Resort management and Destination Gippsland.

“Without the support of the Shire, Baw Baw Resort and Destination Gippsland, the organisation of such an event would be simply not possible. The Baw Baw region has so much on offer for adventurers.  Thompson river, Australian Alps Walking Track and Erica MTB Park trails, to name a few. This has allowed us to create a truly epic course.  The shared experience will bind families and communities.”

- Sergey Kurov, race director AJ Events.

“Baw Baw Shire is home to some of the most spectacular and challenging landscapes, making it the perfect backdrop for this unique event. We look forward to welcoming competitors from across Victoria and beyond to our region, and we wish them the best of luck as they tackle the course.”

- Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, Councillor Danny Goss

Image: The Mt Baw Baw National Park will host the Baw Baw Extreme multi-sport event this Autumn.