21/11/2012
NEWS STORY
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The Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge Adventure Run will again be held in Hobart in 2012, but this year the 6.5 kilometre citizens' event will coincide with the finish of the F1 star's five-day charity race.
The Adventure Run will take place at 11:00 on Sunday December 2 and gives everyone the chance to compete alongside the Red Bull Racing team driver. The run was a big hit on its debut last year, when it was held as a stand-alone event the weekend before the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge.
The Adventure Run course will remain the same, starting and finishing at the Henry Jones Art Hotel and taking in highlights around the Domain.
After finishing the final F1 race of the season in Brazil, Webber plans to travel to Launceston to join the Challenge and then to participate in the Adventure Run on the Sunday.
The Adventure Run attracted over 230 entries on debut, and many of the runners and families were thrilled that, after he completed the course, Webber waited on the finish handing out high-fives as they crossed the line.
Webber, who has a long involvement with Tasmania, is delighted that his Adventure Run and his five-day endurance race will finish together.
"Having the two events finish together should create a real buzz down on the edge of the famous Hobart Constitution Dock," Webber said.
"Last year the Adventure Run was a huge hit, and I'm really confident that we'll get an even bigger turn up this year.
"I encourage families, in particular, to come down and join in. It's a really great course, challenging but not too hard, taking in some of the city's prime viewing spots.
"It gives everyone, young and old, the chance to join in the spirit of the five-day race without the need to be an endurance athlete.
"But just like with the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, everyone who competes will help to raise money for charity."
Event Director, Mark Perry from Octagon, says the run gives more people a chance to meet the motor racing champion, and the rare opportunity to compete against him.
"It is great timing as Mark will be relaxed and ready to have some fun at the end of his long F1 season," said Perry. "So walk it, run it, bring the kids, just come along and I'm sure everyone will have a great day."
The 6.5km Adventure Run will commence from the Henry Jones Art Hotel and take participants into the picturesque Queen's Domain and back again.
The run will be held on a mixture of sealed footpaths, gravel walking tracks and narrower cross-country 'adventure' trails that wind through the bush and parkland in Queen's Domain while providing magnificent views over central Hobart, Mt Wellington, the Derwent River and surrounding countryside.
"This is a relaxed event for everyone, and, what's more, you can do it with one of the biggest names in world sport, Mark Webber," said Perry.