Adventurous types will be sure to want to be a part of the MIA race taking place at Lake Moondarra this weekend.
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According to race organiser Alison Whitehead “MIA” should stand for “Mount Isa Adventure” race though it might also be “Missing in Action”.
“But let's hope it’s not the latter,” she said.
If you are ready for action, the MIA race is on this Saturday February 25 at the Canoe Club, Lake Moondarra starting at 2.30pm.
Ms Whitehead said adventure races were non-stop sporting events that combine two or more disciplines involving teamwork and navigation.
Importantly the team must stay together at all times on the course.
“Our Wheel Addiction race will include the disciplines of paddling, mountain biking and trekking,” she said.
“And as we are only here to have fun, we have thrown in some games for good measure.
Ms Whitehead said those games were just to get the laughter rolling and the mind ticking.
But even if you don't have a mountain bike, don't worry, you can still be part of the action.
“You can still just enter the Foot Fanatic race which includes all the above, without the mountain biking,” Ms Whitehead said.
Timing is not the issue and you can go as slow or as fast as you like, she said.
“We're not racing for cattle stations and the only thing to beat is the clock,” she said.
You can go as slow or as fast as you like - we're not racing for cattle stations and the only thing to beat is the clock. The course should take two to three and half hours
- Alison Whitehead
“We anticipate the course will take you between two and three and a half hours.”
Ms Whitehead said that if the thought of a three and a half hour sporting challenge is a little bit more than you wish to chew for your first adventure, you don't have to miss out
“This year we are introducing the M.I.A Mini,” she said.
“This will have the same categories as Wheel Addiction and Foot Fanatic.
“This race is just a little shorter and will take between one and a half and two hours to complete.”
You will be given a Google map showing a number of checkpoints.
It's pretty hard to get lost at Lake Moondarra, Ms Whitehead said
“You then decide the course you wish to take to get to these checkpoints,” she said.
“Short cuts are encouraged, but sometimes give you no advantage.”
You will be required to carry a backpack including at least one litre of water and some mandatory equipment.
Make sure you read through the instructions on completion of your registration.
Registrations must be made online.
See the Gecko Outdoor Sports Facebook page for the link.
But be quick, registrations close on Thursday 5pm
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
