SHOAL BAY IN PORT STEPHENS WILL BE THE START AND FINISH LOCATION FOR THE 2020 EDITION OF MOUNTAIN DESIGNS GEOQUEST.
Famous for its vast sand dunes, expansive bay area brimming with marine life and whale and dolphin watching, Shoal Bay and the Port Stephens area are the perfect backdrop for a long weekend of epic adventure. Add to this high quality wineries inland, famously fresh seafood, wonderfully scenic outlooks and you've got a spot that is just begging to be experienced before its popularity explodes.
Shoal Bay is located 2.5 hours drive north of Sydney. The closest major centre is Port Stephens.
Australia’s Adventure Racing community, including many new comers, support crew, family and friends from around the country will attend the Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race over the 23-26th October 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Event organiser Wild & Co is aware of the evolving situation related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has resulted in the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a public health emergency. We are monitoring the situation very closely and continuing to work with the local authorities to follow and implement measures dictated by national and international health agencies and governments. This includes the advisory against non-essential organised gatherings of any sort over the next 6 months.
As we are faced with such uncertainty, we believe that the best course of action is to postpone Mountain Designs GeoQuest 2020 to a later date in October. As our competitor numbers are relatively low (usually between 180 and 250) and Adventure Racing is a non-contact sport conducted in remote outdoor areas we also believe that with a few minor, but important changes, that the the event can be conducted in a manner that minimises risks to a reasonable level for competitors.
In particular this year we will:
Cap the number of teams entering the event
Extend race registration over a full day
Conduct a ‘live stream’ broadcast of the welcome, race briefing and final presentation
Ensure teams are spread out appropriately at the start line
Utilise electronic timing systems to save contact with CP punches and card
There are limited team entries available in 2020 and due to delays in announcing the race HQ due to the 2019/20 bushfires, and uncertainty over the current situation we have extended early bird tickets right through to August 31 with final entries closing on 17 October 20.
Race HQ will be the Shoal Bay Holiday Park https://www.beachsideholidays.com.au/our-holiday-parks/beachside-holidays/shoal-bay-holiday-park
Accommodation can be booked through the website above or the Visit NSW website at https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/port-stephens-area
Mountain Designs GeoQuest involves 48+hrs of non-stop endurance racing in the major disciplines of trekking, mountain biking and kayaking.
Mixed, Male or Female teams of four must navigate their way through an arduous 200+km course that is only revealed to them the evening before the race. The Mountain Designs GeoQuest is held annually on the Queens Birthday long weekend in June, for 2020 the event will be held in October. The race is moved each year to a different location with exciting new challenges for the teams.
The Geo-Half adventure race is run at the same time as the Mountain Designs GeoQuest. It covers only half the distance but teams have the full 48hrs to complete it. The legs will be challenging, but with the additional time available to complete the half course, teams have a greater chance to reach the finish line.
The event receives enormous support from its major sponsor Mountain Designs, and this year from the Port Stephens Council.
The website has been updated with the latest information www.geoquest.com.au
More information contact Chris Dixon on 0497 4417 195 or hello@wldnco.com
