Ordos Adventure Challenge- new race in China

The Ordos Adventure Challenge is a new race on the international calendar and Team Macpac will be at the start line taking on many of the worlds top teams. The 6-day stage race is organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association who also organise the Wulong Mountain Quest and Baise Adventure. The location for the race is The city of Ordos in China's Inner Mongolia province. With $US200 000 total prize pool the field will be extremely strong with the best Chinese teams taking on the international visitors.

I was asked to join a team with Marcel Hagener (member of winning teams at AR World Champs, Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge and Wulong Quest), Dougal Allan (one of New Zealand's best Multisport athletes having finished 2nd at the Coast to Coast several times) and Fleur Lattimore (several good race results with the same team last year). While I have never raced with anyone in the team previously,we have all the attributes to be fighting for a place on podium.

Marcel has already arrived in Ordos after racing a 10 day stage Mountain Bike race in Mongolia. And Dougal has only recently returned home from the 7 day Trans Rockies mountain bike race in Canada. So I'm certainly not expecting to feel much wind on my face on the mountain bike legs!

Race schedule and summary

28th August: Stage 1.

30km kayaking, 5km orienteering in the mountain, 35km MTB Orienteering

29th to 30th August: Stage 2

60km kayaking on the yellow river, 22km MTB orienteering in technical, 18km desert adventure running by GPS

Compulsory 8 hours rest at camp

35km desert adventure running by GPS the following day

31st August: Stage 3

4km horse riding (TBC), 100km MTB on road, 5km running

1st September: Stage 4

20km running in gorge, Rope skills, 43km MTB (half on road, and other technical), 20km kayaking on lake

2nd September: Stage 5(City section)

20km MTB on road, 5km kayaking on lake, 3km running

The course seems to have a pretty good mix of the 3 disciplines, but I think with 125km of kayaking that will probably be crucial. Unlike previous Chinese races there will be navigation too pick will add a new dimension to the challenge.

Other Aussie teams

Peak Adventure- Jarad Kohlar, James Pretto, Alex Polizzi, Sia Svensson (NZ)

Moxie Gear Nuun- Darren Clarke, Luke Haines, Deanna Blegg, Sam Clarke (NZ)

Adventure Junkies- Serge Kurov, Maria Plyashenchko,Alex Hunt, Hugh Stodart

Other top contenders

Subway- Richard and Elina Ussher, Braden Currie, Stu Lynch

Thule Adventure- Martin Flinta, Jackie Boisett, Mimi Guillot, Per

Seagate- Nathan Fa'ave, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, Trevor Voyce

The Colorado Connection- Travis Macy, Jay Henry, Jon Brown, Gretchen Reeves

And probably some other strong European and Chinese teams that I don't know about.

While the Chinese organizers know how to offer big prize money and set a difficult and scenic course, publicity is not their strength. I don't think there is a race website and I can't guarantee the results will be published anywhere. However internet connections pending I will try to post some news on our website each day.

And thanks again to Macpac for supporting our team. Check out their 7 day sale with 25% off for Macpac Wilderness Club members.