Saturday’s Queensland Enduro sees last minute surge in elite entries

Elite men load the field to challenge reigning X-Tri national champion Max Neumann at TreX season opener

MTB_2014_Bendigo_AusChamps_Portrait_Male_GuyAndrewsQUEENSLAND—Even with many of the nation’s elite off-road triathletes en route to Sardinia, Italy for next week’s ITU Cross Triathlon (X-Tri) World Championships, including 17-time Xterra champion and current TreX series ambassador Ben Allen (AUS), there will be no shortage of talent at this weekend’s Queensland Enduro to be held on Saturday (19 September) at Murrenbong Scout Camp – just 40 minutes from the Brisbane CBD (Central Business District).

A late flood of entries hit the elite men’s division by close of registration on Wednesday, including Queenslanders George Tamblyn, Brodie Gardner, Drew Box, Josh Campton, David Readett, Ricky Smith and John Ruhle, as well as Australian surf ironman champion and fitness icon, Guy Andrews.

Reigning national Cross Triathlon (X-Tri) champion and fellow Queenslander Max Neumann tops off what has become a hot field.

“I am looking forward to kicking off the summer triathlon season next weekend at the Enduro at Kurwongbah,” the 20-year-old Neumann told In2Adventure on Monday.

Queenslanders Leela Hancox and Lucy Shewell top the elite women’s division.

The Queensland Enduro kicks off a stellar 2015/16 events calendar which culminates with the 2016 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Cross Triathlon World Championships at Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa in New South Wales next year.

The extremely popular Enduro format challenges long course competitors to take on the tough Murrenbong route, and after a heart pumping 350-metre swim, 10-kilometre mountain bike and 4-kilometre trail run, it’s back in the water to do it all again.  The event also includes one-lap Sprint (350m/10km/4km), Junior (150m/4km/1km) and Teaser (150m/4km/1km) courses.

“We are so looking forward to the first ‘hit out’ for the 2015/16 season,” said In2Adventure race director Simon Lazenby on Wednesday. “The Enduro format is definitely one of the tougher races of the series, however, the recent dry conditions in Queensland mean that the course is currently racing very fast so we should see some record times on Saturday.”

With the 2015 X-Tri world champs being held in Sardinia, Italy (26-28 September), the In2Adventure team will immediately travel overseas following the weekend’s racing to represent Australia and entice amateur and professional athletes from all over the world to race Down Under next year.

In2Adventure recently launched its Pathway Partners programme to help local athletes and coaches connect and reach their individual goals of representing Australia at next year’s world champs. The TreX Series will be hosting three state qualifiers, including the Victorian Championships (28-29 November) in Bendigo, the Australian Championships (27-28 February) in the Snowy Mountains (NSW) and the Queensland Championships (16-17 April) on the Sunshine Coast.

To find out more about the TreX Series go to Trextriathlon.com.au

About the Pathway Partner program:

As part of our Pathway Partners Program, In2Adventure is in the process of connecting with clubs, coaches and squads throughout Australia who will be hosting training and development programs aimed at helping competitors to qualify for the World X-Tri Champs in 2016. For more info on connecting with a current Pathway Partner, please click here.

If you are a coach, club, squad or trainer who offers training for cross triathlon including mountain biking, trail running or swimming and are interested in becoming a pathway partner you can download full information and application forms using the links below. For a Pathway Partner information pack, click here, or for a Pathway Partner application form, please click here.

About TreX:

For seven years TreX has positioned itself as the pinnacle of the cross – or off-road – triathlon racing series in Asia-Pacific. Presented by the premier outdoor adventure event specialists In2Adventure, TreX consists of a reservoir swim, mountain bike and trail run. While each TreX event features an elite category with industry-leading prize purses, including $50,000 for the 2016 ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships, the TreX Cross Triathlon national series invites participation from all ages and skill levels. For more information, please visit TreX here.

About In2Adventure:

In2Adventure is Asia-Pacific’s premier adventure event specialists. With a full calendar of national events scheduled throughout Australia, including adventure races, cross triathlon, XC Mountain Bike, trail runs and corporate events, In2Adventure fully embraces all things ‘off road’ and ‘off the beaten track’ and offers a unique, individual experience for all ages and skill levels. For more information visit In2Adventure here.

Upcoming Events (2015/16):

  • Queensland Enduro – Murrenbong, QLD, 19 September 2015
  • Victorian Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) – Bendigo, VIC, 28-29 November 2015
  • Snowies MTB Festival – Snowy Mountains, NSW, 12-14 February 2016
  • Australian Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) – Snowy Mountains, NSW, 27-28 February 2016
  • Queensland Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) – Sunshine Coast, QLD, 16-17 April 2016
  • ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships – Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, Snowy Mountains, NSW, 18-20 November 2016

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Photo Credit: In2Adventure

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