Racing with the pros
Team B&T is taking on the 2013 Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge. This is the first of our live blogs from the event, covering the highs and lows of the five-day adventure race, and looking at the inside story on the significant branding and sponsorship around the event. Today, we catch up with professional triathlete – and elite Tas Challenge competitor – Courtney Atkinson (pictured).
DAY ONE
It’s the end of Day One of the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge. And Team B&T is still alive. Hurting, but alive.
And what’s more important is we’ve completed Day One (mostly) successfully.
As a pair of competitors who’ve never taken on an adventure race before, the feeling of elation on seeing the finish line after 11 hours out in the wilderness was something special.
After bumbling our way through a series of maps and instructions last night to try to prepare a route, then doing our best job at packing everything we could possibly need into the bags we carried throughout the race and the plastic crates that would meet us at various transitions, there was a lot buzzing round our minds as we tried to sleep on race day eve.
Day One started off rather strangely, with a surprise lumberjack challenge. Equipped with a log and an enormous two-man saw – apparently a Tassie tradition – everyone had to cut all the way through a log before being allowed to jump on their mountain bikes and get underway.
We knew we then had a 17km mountain bike, then an 11km run, followed by another 42km mountain bike and then finally a 14km kayak paddle ahead of us.
It started smoothly, much more smoothly than we anticipated, and we found the first mountain bike checkpoints no problem.
The run also started well, as we followed a well-trodden track. We were, however, heading into – and up – mountains. As the path become less and less obvious and other competitors faded into the distance ahead of us, we eventually found ourselves clambering up rocks, through painful, thorny, waist-high scrubland desperately trying to work out where on earth in Tassie we were.
Trying to spot another Webber Challenge vest in the distance, and failing as the cloud descended, was the most nerve-wracking hour of the day. Eventually spotting two rocky plateaus (and noticing a breathtaking view across the mountains and valleys below us), we managed to pinpoint our location. But the realisation that it is all too easy to end up lost in the wilderness was a wake-up call.
The mountain bike, by contrast, was more successful for us, with the hills, both on and off-road, proving the biggest challenges – and the downhills exhilarating.
We were just about ready for bed by the time we greeted our kayak, so the 14km paddle was tough. I have never been so pleased to see a finish line in my life.
But as much as it hurt and will continue to hurt, I think we are going to enjoy this.
A sponsorship deal for the long-haul
One of the major sponsors of this year’s Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge is Red Bull – and the brand has some big guns representing it out in the Tassie wilderness.
Team Red Bull includes Queensland boy Courtney Atkinson, one of the world’s leading triathletes. He is a two-time Olympian and has recently turned his hand to the big stuff: Ironman distance triathlons. His race partner this week in Tasmania is champion rower Ken Wallace. It is the duo’s second time taking on the challenge.
But how do the pair’s everyday skills – triathlon and rowing – translate to helping them through the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge?
“The two of us make a nice strategic pick because our strengths and weaknesses work well together,” Atkinson tells B&T. “He is a super-strong paddler, then for some of the running parts that are more challenging I can tie a bungee chord between us to help him along – it’s just enough to take a little bit of the weight off.”
But their endurance strength pays dividends, he explains: “On the face of it, the race is about endurance. The physical element of the race is a major challenge – it doesn’t matter who you are, to race for between four and nine hours a day, five days in a row, is exhausting. It’s the offroad skills that are required that are the major challenge for Kenny and myself.”
The orienteering, which plays a huge role in the challenge, is, however, not a strength. “I have trouble reading a street map, let alone using a compass,” jokes Atkinson. “So that is our biggest challenge. But you quickly learn after a few mistakes that you are better off either staying still or moving slowly in the right direction than going full pelt in the wrong direction.”
Representing Red Bull in the race makes sense for Atkinson, who has worked with the brand for 12 years, after joining them as a teenager entering into the highly competitive world of triathlon.
“They have stood by me right through my career and they are supporting my big bid for 2014, which is to conquer the Hawaii Ironman,” says Atkinson. “With Red Bull, over that time, I have been able to use the product – more so now that I have moved to Ironman events, which take me over eight hours. When you get towards the end of an event like that, your body goes almost into shutdown and you need to take on simple sugars and stimulants.”
Red Bull is out on the course for the Tasmania challenge this week. Let’s hope it works.
Team B&T, consisting of B&T features editor Lucy Clark and her racing partner Dom Collie, is taking on the challenge. It runs over five day and covers 350 kilometres, across the western Tasmania wilderness. It features kayaking, mountain biking, trekking and running – all self-navigated.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Latest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.