Media Release
October 10, 2010
Forget Delhi, the real action on the weekend was at the Denmark Adventure Race
The Denmark Adventure Race was held over the weekend in the Great Southern Region of Western
Australia. 120 inspiring competitors raced over 200km in a unique discovery of this beautiful area of
Australia. The weather was superb for the first day of racing but turned nasty on the Sunday but this
didn’t deter team Paddy Pallin - Shotz who returned more powerful after disappointment in 2009.
Participants in the Denmark Adventure Race paddled kayaks, ran and rode mountain bikes for up to 27
hours over two days with teams demonstrating superior navigation, endurance and strategy proving
victorious. It wasn’t about being the fastest or fittest but required quite a bit of smart as teams of 4 people
collected checkpoints and battled fatigue and sleep deprivation in the 2 day stage race. Team Paddy Pallin
-
Shotz (Jason Toomey, Steve Fletcher, Ricky Thackray, Sarah Dunnage) from Wembley Downs, WA, got
line honours as well as winning overall in the premiere mixed category. With a near perfect performance
collecting all compulsory checkpoints and strategically choosing others that credited them much more
time than it took to find them, the team deserved the win after a DNF last year. In 2009 it was their
paddling that let them down and a king wave that knocked them off their craft in midnight waters but they
worked hard to improve and the dividends have definitely paid off.
This year was the second time the race was held around Denmark with the inaugural 2008 race being held
in nearby Albany. Teams were treated to an amazing journey that tourists would normally spend weeks
discovering. This is half the attraction for competitors who travelled through really diverse landscapes
from the granite rocks of the coastline to the tall timber karri tree forests, steep sided valleys and green
undulating farmland in their quest to reach the finish line. They paddled down magnificent Frankland
River dodging submerged trees and carrying their boats over logs and enjoyed every aspect of the
adventure they had signed up for. They did the Tree Top Walk and swam in Greens Pool to collect a
checkpoint capping of a weekend they’ll never forget.
It was quite a road show for the usually sleepy town as teams and their support crews travelled from one
transition point to the next with equipment and supplies overflowing from vehicles. Team Hamish and
The Wheelbarrows (Phip Hughes, Beau Griffith, Andrew Redhead, Hamish Nicholls) from Shenton Park,
WA had an entourage of 12 people in 3 cars all dressed in red uniforms cheering and ensuring their every
need was catered for at the transition points. Nicola Drummy, one of the event organisers, said, “this
really adds to the atmosphere and enjoyment of the event. The enthusiasm rubs off on everyone and it
becomes like a party as we cheer teams through. This race is really about getting out there and enjoying
the environment, taking in the spectacular scenery and having a great time. The competitors are pretty
incredible and always so friendly as they embark on the next leg of this amazing challenge and they
appreciate the encouragement we give them as they head back out into the bush.”
Although the event was targeted at intermediate level adventure racers it still attracted some experienced
campaigners, including team Area 51 Goats (Jason Wallington, Wil Williams, Robbie Adams, Ian Dalton)
who managed to finish just inside the top 10. This is evidence of the improvement and development of the
sport of adventure racing, particularly in WA where there are now many good teams fighting it out for the
podium spots. There was also contingent of around 15 people from other sports such a triathlon trying
adventure racing for the first time that had a ball and never want to race on the road again.
All teams crossed the finish line, however, the event wasn’t without some controversy. Team 23 called I
Don’t Think They Noticed (Mic Fic, Matt Callaghan, Tony Delany) from Beaconsfield, WA, took a wrong
turn and travelled about 20km on foot into the Valley of the Giants on Saturday night and had to be
collected by their support crew. Unlike their name, their disappearance was noted as night fell but they
were found in good spirits several hours later and had actually collected all checkpoints so remained in
the competition.
Local Albany team the Mongrel MADmen (Keiron Benson, Mark Rimell, Rowan Burton, John McNally) had
a rewarding and successful weekend finishing mid-field.
Unfortunately Paralympic hero Michael Milton was forced to withdraw last week after a cycling accident.
His team called Mainpeak Seven Legs (Shawn Brogden, Christa Hawter, Liam Sullivan, Lee Thorpe) still
completed the event with a new fourth member gallantly taking on the challenge with just a few days
preparation.
Competitors and their support crews will enjoy a celebratory dinner where winners will be awarded
prizes and many stories of trials and tribulation will be told over a few well-deserved ales.
For further information, quotes and photography on this event, please contact
Naantali Marshall on 0419 000 689 or e-mail naant@rapidascent.com.au
Images can be downloaded and used free of charge from the media website at
RAPID ASCENT ADVENTURE EVENT MANAGEMENT
Suite 2, 1-3 Gilbert Street, Torquay, Vic. 3228
Tel: + 61 (0)3 5261 5511
NEWS 
