The Montane Season of Pain multisport series has announced its all-new format for the Winter edition, and it’s set to include Australia’s only known snow run.
The closest ski field to Melbourne, Mount Baw Baw, has confirmed that it will host the winter Montane Seasons of Pain multisport on Saturday, 10 August, 2013.
The event will be an Australian first as the only format of its kind in the nation, incorporating snow running legs (dubbed the ChilliRuns) with cross country (XC) ski legs plus, for the fun of it, a short toboggan section that will test the adrenaline glands (and steering on ice abilities) of the hardiest athlete.
“The course won’t be as long as the past two rounds,” says Race Director, Grant Seamer, who is yet to release specifics but nominates a total distance of approximately 16km. “But the entire course will be on snow, so it will still be tough but fun. Our aim is to ease up on the former given the colder conditions while increasing the enjoyment and novelty factor. As far as we know there are no other snow run combined with XC ski events in Australia,” said Seamer.
Although the exact course is yet to be set – organisers are waiting for the first snow to fall before finalising each leg and distances – it will make use of the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort’s backcountry trails so as to not interfere with downhill skiers on the front slopes.
“But all of the areas used remain within a kilometre or two of the main resort so it is a very safe course,” says Seamer. “And a hot cuppa will never be far away. We’re excited about the opportunity to use an entirely new course in what will essentially be an entirely altered environment with the snowfall creating a very different vibe to the Summer and Autumn editions. So we’re really mixing it up for our regular Season of Pain competitors.”
Seamer ensures that the course will be achievable by anyone with rudimentary XC skiing skills and an average level of fitness. “And we plan on having a free XC ski skills session for anyone interested in the morning, before the event gets underway around lunchtime.”
The event will take place on the Saturday prior to the annual Tullicoutty Cup, a Nordic ski style event taking in 8.5km and 5 km courses. “So for XC skiers, the Seasons event makes a great warm up outing. While for our regular multisport athletes, the day will be first and foremost a fun outing.”
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN.
The Spring edition of Montane Seasons of Pain will return to the trail run and mountain bike format including the now infamous ‘Sting’.
MONTANE SEASONS OF PAIN WINTER WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY 10th AUGUST 2013.
MONTANE SEASONS OF PAIN SPRING WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 2013.
More information and entries at www.mtbawbaw.com.au
ENTRIES AT: seasonsofpainwinter.eventbrite.com.au/
