Ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Mark Webber has confirmed his charity fundraiser, the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, will return in 2011 after a three-year hiatus. The gruelling event sees adventure-loving competitors enjoying the chance to run, mountain bike, climb and kayak at stunning locations across the Australian state.
The 2011 Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge will be held from December 7-11, with Webber jetting in directly from the final round of the Formula One season in Brazil.
“After a three-year break I am thrilled the Challenge is heading back to Tasmania and that it’s back on the calendar for the next three years,” said Webber. “The Challenge has always been about having determination and drive to give something a go.
"Now, as with the world’s great endurance races, the format will allow elite athletes to chase ultimate success while others can turn up having never done anything like this before and amaze themselves with what they can do. Obviously you need to prepare for an endurance event and with kayaking, trekking, trail running, climbing and mountain biking all part of the Challenge there is plenty to train for! But with five-day, three-day and one-day options we believe it is an event that has something for everyone.”
The event has attracted an unprecedented level of corporate and government support, with multi-vitamin manufacturer Swisse taking up the naming rights sponsorship alongside principal partner, Tourism Tasmania, who recently announced their support of the event for the next three years. Major Partners Red Bull, Pure Tasmania, LG, Rexona and Pirelli complete the sponsor line-up.
This year will see the return of the Van Diemen’s Cup (paired teams competing for five days) and the Ambassador’s Cup (paired teams competing for three days) and a new one-day event has been introduced for people who want to experience a taste of adventure racing.
Past entrants include tennis champion Pat Rafter, cricketer Steve Waugh, world yachtswoman Dee Caffari, Olympic medallists Cathy Freeman, James Tomkins, James Cracknell, Michael Klim, David Crawshay and Scott Brennan and Paralympics star Michael Milton.
The course will travel through some of Tasmania’s most stunning locations including the Freycinet National Park, picture postcard Wineglass Bay, wild Bruny Island, the deep forests of the Hartz Mountains, the cliffs, blowholes and caves of the Tasman Peninsula and the rolling Hobart hills.
“I’ve seen a lot of places during my F1 career, but every time I go home and visit Tasmania I am always reminded what a beautiful place it really is,” added Webber. “It is one of my favourite places in the world. The Challenge is not just about doing what I love in one of my favourite parts of the world, it’s also about being able to directly assist those in need.”
The event will continue to raise funds for the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation with 100 percent of proceeds going directly to the Foundation, which supports various Australian charities.
Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)
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