Taking Triathlon and Adventure to New Heights

Elite Energy Australian Alpine Ascent

On March 10 the Australian Alpine Ascent returns to the Snowy Mountains. 2018 marks the events third successive year, featuring an array of events for the active minded adventurer. This year AAA adds two brand new events, a 25k and 50k trail run to the pre-existing AAA triathlon and Tri Kozzi triathlon. The key feature of these two trail runs will see athletes tackle Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko.

The event is expected to see some of the World’s greatest endurance athletes descend on the New South Wales Snowy Mountains. Elite Energy CEO, Mark Emerton, believes this festival will set the benchmark for endurance events in the Southern Hemisphere and will test even the toughest of competitors and those willing to take the challenge ‘into thin air’. “The AAA triathlon is already up there with the likes of Norseman and has been designed to really test an individual. It’s not just about distance, it’s about altitude, it’s about unpredictable weather, it’s about hills – big hills, competitors will be running to the highest peak in Australia and it will be in vain if they don’t get there before dusk when the National Park come in and literally lock you out.

“Logistically, this will be the biggest event we’ve organised and we are working really closely with all local authorities to ensure this is a great success.  Due to the nature of the course and safety requirements, entries will be capped and we are ecstatic to see such a healthy response to these events”.

For all the suffering athletes are sure to endure, the courses are nothing short of spectacular and will see athletes pass through some of the Snowy Mountains’ most picturesque locations including Dead Horse Gap, Charlotte Pass, Thredbo Village and one of the most famous landmarks in Australia, the peak of Mt Kosciuszko.

The AAA triathlon course will begin with a 3km swim in Lake Jindabyne, before transitioning out of the water and onto the bike to commence the 124km ride, the first 16km of which will be a hill climb, this ride has competitors climbing over 3200 vertical metres and will finish at Charlotte Pass Village to transition for the 25k return run along the trails to Mount Kosciuszko, before descending to the finish back at Charlottes Pass Village.

No matter whether the athletes have chosen the shorter triathlon, the AAA or one of the 2 trail runs, the courses will be a test of sheer strength, fitness and at times courage. If people would like to test themselves against any of the distance races they can still enter here.

Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic

Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic Jindabyne 2018

Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic

Lake Jindabyne and Kosciuszko National Park
Sunday 4 March 2018

Event website – https://au.srichinmoyraces.org/sri-chinmoy-multi-sport-classic-jindabyne
Facebook – www.facebook.com/Sri-Chinmoy-Multi-Sport-Classic-138414553310215/
Swim 1.5km + paddle 9km + run 6km + mountain bike 8km + swim 2.5km + paddle 5.5km + mountain bike 9km + run 12.5km + mountain bike 42.8km + swim 1.2km + paddle 9.5km + run 5km …

The Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic is a 12-leg, all-day adventure for Solo Athletes and Relay Teams combining swimming, mountain biking, paddling and running in, on and around beautiful Lake Jindabyne. The race will be staged for the 12th time on Sunday the 4th of March 2018.

Set in the idyllic surrounds of Lake Jindabyne in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, the race combines water and land-based sports over 12 legs, ranging in difficulty from mild to strenuous.

Race Solo or in Relay

The race is ideally suited to Relay Teams of varying tastes and capacities, or for Solo Athletes seeking a complete all-day test of skill, stamina and fitness.

The Course

The course is varied, with 3 mountain bike legs ranging from easy to highly technical; 3 running courses from flat to very not-flat; 3 swims of between 1.2 and 2.5 kms; and 3 paddles of 5.5 to 9.5 kms. The swims and paddles criss-cross most of Lake Jindabyne, while the mountain bikers and runners thoroughly explore the rugged Eastern Escarpment, rolling farmland of the Western Shore, and bushland of the adjoining Kosciuszko National Park.

Who Can Participate?

To take part in such a gruelling multi-discipline event as a Solo Athlete requires a high level of fitness and training in all 4 disciplines of swimming, paddling, mountain biking and running. However, most moderately fit people can join a relay team and complete one or more of the legs, such as a 1.5km swim, 5.5km paddle or 5km run.

Get Your Team Together Now

Find a group of friends or colleagues with the right mix of skills and fitness to cover all 12 legs – and start training!

Information and online entries

Full event information, including course maps and descriptions, stories from previous years, and online entry is available at https://au.srichinmoyraces.org/sri-chinmoy-multi-sport-classic-jindabyne

For inquiries or to register interest in joining a team, phone 0404 071 327 or write to canberra@srichinmoyraces.org

 

When You’re Ready To Thaw Out, We’ve Got Just The Place!

Thermal pool, Yarrangobilly CavesKosciuszko National Park Murray Vanderveer / OEH -35.73092, 148.48583

A free outdoor thermal spring that’s open year round? Grab your cozzies and head to Kozzie.

Think of the Snowy Mountains and swimsuits don’t spring to mind. But that’s probably because you’ve never heard of this natural pool in northern Kosciuszko National Park. In winter, it’s like slipping into a toasty bath that never gets cold, thanks to mother nature working her geothermal magic hundreds of metres below. Whether or not you’ve taken a couple of spills on the slopes, the heat will make that tension ooze out of your muscles. We’re not saying it’s like a setting for a winter rom com, but as steam fogs the surface and (if you’re lucky) snow dusts the valley floor, it’s pretty close.

This is one pool where relaxation is the order of the day. The water is dissolved with calcium, sodium and the hero of muscle relaxants, magnesium. A few laps and you’ll be feeling heavy and sedate as those sore muscles are soothed after your high country hikes, creaky joints from the desk job loosen up, and any hint of a headache vanishes.

The big pool is 20m long and 2.5m deep, ie. no shallow end, so if you’re in more of a jacuzzi mood, step into the kiddy pool. It means you can sit and relax, and the rushing water streaming connecting it to the main waterhole will act like a jet-spa massage.

Don’t be grossed-out if you see algae or even springtime tadpoles in the water. Algae and weed provide a breeding site for frogs, and frogs mean the water is clean and healthy. A local platypus has been known to make an appearance, too.

The hilly walk back up to your car may undo the effects of your thermal dip, so a better option is to stroll 1km along the River walk to gently wake up your limbs. From there, it’s a short scramble up to the path that heads back towards the carpark. Or, if you haven’t filled up on natural beauty yet, turn left and head around the corner to Glory Arch and the lofty chambers of South Glory Cave.

Fresh alpine air, mineral-rich waters to soak away everyday aches, and an absence of entry fees (unless you count the low daily parking fee), puts this leagues above the average day spa.

This article first appeared on the National Parks Blog Page and was written by

ELINOR SHEARGOLD

View Author Page

Hot springs, cold snow, good times