Action stations. Picture: KATHERINE MORROW
IT’S TIME to start training for the annual Katherine Ultra Challenge.
Going in its 11th consecutive year, the date has been set for this year’s challenge for the weekend of Sunday, August 5, Picnic Day long weekend.
With the arrival of the dry season right now is the ideal time to dust off your training gear, and get yourself or team organised for the big day.
The Ultra Challenge is an annual multi sport adventure race, featuring six different stages, covering 100kms in and around the Katherine Gorge and river.
Event organisers are hoping that by pushing the event back till August this year any late rains won’t affect the race being held all in a day with the first iconic stage being a 3.2km swim down the Katherine Gorge.
This is then followed by a 10km cross-county run to Maud Creek, followed by a 23km cross-country bike ride to the hospital, then an 8km road-run to the Low Level, followed by a 17km kayak to Galloping Jacks and concludes with a 40km road ride to Springvale Homestead.
The Ultra Challenge is a day for both teams of casual athletes and those crazy enough to tackle it solo.
It’s a great event with an average of 150 competitors on race day who come together afterward to celebrate their enormous effects and to hear the stories of mishaps and close escapes.
There’s no other time in the year can you access the beautiful and scenic tracks that take you along and around the Katherine river.
This is an event not to be missed.
The event requires the support and help from volunteers so if anyone is willing to help out please get in contact with the multisport club.
Further information including maps and registration forms go to www.kmsc.com.au.