MEDIA/ NEWS RELEASE - Ready Set Go! XPD Adventure Race kicks off at Mt Buffalo, Victoria
November 19 – 28

The starter’s gun has officially fired at the 2008 XPD Adventure race sending over 120 of the world’s toughest adventure racers down the slopes of Mt Buffalo in the first stage of the 5-10 day, 800 kilometre journey.

Thirty seven teams hit today’s course at around 2pm after a six hour journey from the initial event base camp of Thredbo.

In the opening stages at Mt Buffalo, competitors have taken on a tough 30 kilometre orienteering course which will see them drop 600 metres and through five checkpoints before arriving at their first mountain bike leg.

This evening teams will ride throughout the night for 60 kilometres through the Blaxland Valley before arriving early morning into the country town of Harrietville.

Across the next five to ten days the teams who will travel 450km on mountain bikes, 150km in kayaks and 250km on foot, across some of the hilliest terrain in Australia, navigating their way back over the next ten days back to Thredbo, NSW where the race finishes.

Race highlights will include ascending the highest mountains in the country including Mt Bogong (1984m) which is Victoria’s highest peak and Mt Kosciuszko (2228m) which is both New South Wales’ and Australia’s highest mountain.

First and second place in the premier mixed category will automatically qualify for the World Championships and receive an all expenses paid entry. Premier mixed category teams consist of primarily three men and one woman. To win the event outright teams must be a mixed team.

Founded in 2004 this is the fourth edition of XPD, which is staged every 18 months in a different destination.