ADVENTURERS INVITED TO ‘SEND’ THEN ‘SUMMIT’ MT BULLER IN NEW DUATHLON

The new format is rolling out on Saturday 28 January of the long weekend.

A unique ‘duathlon’ format, the event combines two increasingly popular nature-based pursuits – mountain biking and trail running. 

The course starts with a 5km run on Mt Buller Village’s Nature Trail before moving to mountain bikes where participants ‘send’ on a 22km mostly downhill ride. The route takes in some of Buller’s best biking trails and plummets 1300 metres for a mostly rolling ride finishing at picturesque Mirimbah Park.

Participants transition to a 10km mountain run that climbs a whopping 1150 metres – a vertical kilometre – in 10km, taking in the famous north-west ridge of Mt Buller, topping out at the summit before climaxing at the finish line in the Village Square.

Organisers claim the event as the first of its kind in Australia as “a true mountain-based duathlon” but, organisers note, with an inclusivity and achievability as participants have the option to tackle the challenge in a team of two, splitting the run and ride legs between a pair. e-Bikes will be welcomed (as a separate category) to further enable participation.

The Mt Buller event is the brainchild of adventure event company, Tour de Trails and its director, Chris Ord, who operates six other adventure running events across Victoria, including the popular Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut adventure run and trek, an autism charity event hosted by Mt Buller each February.

“Both trail running and mountain biking have exploded in popularity over the last 5-10 years, and it happens that Mt Buller offers some of the best environments for both,” says Chris. “We know people who like adventures and mountains often enjoy both – trail runners are often mountain bikers and vice versa. Mt Buller was an easy choice offering ideal trail options for both the ride and run elements of Australia’s first mountain duathlon.”

The event will appeal to duathletes, triathletes, adventure racers, mountain bikers, trail runners and anyone who wants to get active in the mountains this summer.

“While we expect there will be some fast-paced action at the pointy end, the event is very much about giving people an opportunity to join the camaraderie of the weekend and try something different. We hope to see people make a weekend of it, supporting friends and sharing the challenge of the ride and run legs between them,” says Chris.

“The mountain biking route is rated as Intermediate and as you get down along the Delatite Trail with its sweeping lines and bridge river crossings, it is one of the most fun mountain bike trails you’ll find anywhere.   The views as you ascend the north-west ridge of Buller are also out of this world – and let’s be honest, very few if anyone will be running large sections of this. It’s the greatest secret in trail running: there’s lots of walking!”

“We want to encourage people to swap the beach for the bush in the New Year – try something different and like they do in Europe, escape the heat and crowds for cool, fresh alpine air, with sweeping views and space to breathe.

“We hope Send 2 Summit becomes a great reason for people to come up and experience Mt Buller in summer, stay a while and discover the cool change on offer in the mountains.  There’s plenty of accommodation, good food and other activities that add up to a great long weekend away. When you’re asked ‘what did you for the long weekend?’ you’ll have a great answer “I sent and summited Mt Buller!”

ENTRIES ARE OPEN at: www.send2summit.com