More than 600 athletes looking to push their fitness levels to the limit will touch down in Dwellingup for one of the world’s premier off-road multisport events, XTERRA, this November.
A combination of swimming, mountain biking and trail running, XTERRA will see competitors put to the test in a course described as one part triathlon, one part mountain bike race, and one part “survival of the fittest.”
Those tackling the race will cover a 1.5 kilometre swim, a 30km mountain bike ride and a 10km run through Dwellingup’s renowned trails.
The event was made possible thanks to a 12-month collaboration between Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation (MAPTO) Sports Marketing Australia, local government authorities and event holder Elite Energy Events, with races also set to be held the following two years.
MAPTO chief executive officer Karen Priest said the event was a coup for the Peel region.
“XTERRA is growing in popularity across the Asia-Pacific region and to have more than 600 competitors from across Australia in the Peel Region for up to a week in November will have a positive impact for accommodation providers, restaurants and other local businesses,” Ms Priest said.
“It’s a beautiful time of year to showcase the region and we are working with the event organiser to promote all there is to see and do to encourage people to stay longer than just the race weekend.
“The event sponsorship agreement includes broadcast of the race, and beautiful Dwellingup, on XTERRA’s 10 television shows which reach more than 50 million viewers worldwide.”
Elite Energy Events chief Mark Emerton said the company was looking forward to bringing the race to the Peel region.
“XTERRA is known for only being held in the most beautiful locations in the world,” he said.
“The race location, featuring the Murray River, certainly fits that bill and we are very much looking forward to this challenging first race for the 2018/19 Australian Championship series.”
Shire of Murray President David Bolt said the Dwellingup community was looking forward to playing host.
“The event not only offers an ideal opportunity to showcase the town’s plethora of trails including canoe, walking and cycling trails, but also its pristine forests, waterways, adventure attractions,” he said.
“It will help raise the town’s profile, complimenting and reinforcing significant investment in the Dwellingup National Trails Centre Project due for completion towards the end of 2019.”
MAPTO, the Shire of Murray, the City of Mandurah and the state government’s Royalties for Regions Program, administered by the Peel Development Commission, have financially supported the event.
