Perfect conditions for the Murray Quad

Finally, the Might Murray River turned on perfect conditions for the Murray Quad and on Saturday the 19th of November the first fun distance quadrathlon race was held in Australia
Participants in the 2016 Murray Quad were greeted with ideal conditions to complete the 141km from Yarrawonga to Tocumwal some doing the full distance with others completing their favorite event.

The 3.2km swim was swam on perfectly smooth waters of Lake Mulwala.

In the 21.1km Running of the Black Bull Half Marathon runners enjoyed the unique opportunity to run on the Black Bull golf course.

Riders in the 91.5km Individual time trial were challenged by the small hills on Boomahnoomoohah Rd then had to use all their endurance to push their bike along the flat course to Cobram.

In the Peaches and Cream Paddle paddlers could enjoy the Murray River at its finest after returning to normal levels following the recent floods the 25km course showcased the river at it best and with Australia’s largest inland Beach “Thompson Beach” providing the perfect location for the start of the paddle.

The event was extremely challenging with only 4 individuals and two relay teams able to complete the full 141 km event.

The 2016 Diamond Man was award to Michael Faustmann from Williamstown who completed the 141km in a time of 7 hours and I min with Alexander Hector from Wodonga less than 10 minutes’ behind. The Diamond Woman title was taken out by Kelly Honess who now lives in Smithton Tasmania.

Michael and Kelly were also the fastest to complete both the Swim and bike legs, with Alexander Hector and Renea Kaitler from Katandra recording the fastest time for the Half Marathon
Local Kayaker and Australian Marathon Canoe team member Brea Roadley defender her title as the fastest female paddler and she was also a member of Team VU that toke out the relay event. The Male Peaches and Cream paddle was a hotly contested race with Dom Scrarfe and John Young battling all the way down the river with Dom winning in sprint finish at Tocumwal Town Beach to win by less than 3 seconds completing the 25km in a time of 1hour and 43 minutes. One of the highlights of the paddle was the involvement of Stand Up Paddlers who all paddler them SUP’s the full 25km down the river.

The success of the event was mostly due to the support we received from several local community groups who supplied volunteers
– Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club
– Cobram Barooga Canoe Club
– Shepparton Canoe Club
– Yarrawonga Rowing Club
– Yarrawonga Men’s Shed
– Yarrawonga Scouts
– Tungamah and Katamatite Lions Club
– Corowa Events
– Shepparton District Amateur Radio Club
– Yarrawonga, Cobram and Tocumwal SES

The event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors Visit Victoria, Moira Shire, Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism, RACV Yarrawonga, Yarrawonga Chronicle, Ken Muston Motors, Brooks, Central Murray Credit Union, Rich Glen Oli Olive, Thyme for Coffee, Yarra Hot Bread, Back on Track Physiotherapy, Intersport Wingates, Kayak Australia, Blizzards, DC on the Lake, Hick’s Butchery and Woolworths Yarrawonga.

Thank you to the Black Bull Golf Course for allowing us to use their spectacular course for the run, the Moria and Berrigan Shires for the use of Thompson Beach for the paddle.

Plans are for the event to be held again next summer and we would love to see some international competitors come down under and challenge them self to complete the Murray Quad.