2020, what a year!

Things started off well with a Paddlegaine at Ormeau held by the Queensland Rogaine Association (QRA) in January, then everything went to custard with COVID19.  Events were postponed or dropped (such as our own Donnybrook Dash race), then when things looked rosier, events were re-scheduled.  Then delayed again, then thankfully on again.

Once things got back to some semblance of normality, teams from Xcite were able to race in the Wildhorse Mtn Adventure Race, Wildfire Raid 6hr at Lake Manchester, Yarrabilby Hop 8hr rogaine, and finally, the Granite Belt Duo 6hr foot (Girraween Na

tional Park) and mtb (Passchendaele) rogaines.  Unfortunately, due to work commitments we were unable to suit up for the Rogue Raid 24hr race.   To finish the year off, we ran around the streets of Brisbane for the 3hr Urban Rogue (we went for more hills this year – not a good plan).

We had some good races, and some maybe not so good.  Over some of the races we teamed up with Adam & Katina Woods and Tony Mayer coming along to provide good company and humour, as well as additional cunning and guile.  There was laughter, and some “tears” (particularly when we were slogging around in the heat at Yarrabilba and getting confused at Girraween).

As usual, we visited some awesome race locations, highlights being the paddle leg of the

Wildfire race; views from hilltops at Yarrabilba; and Girraween National Park (although we will all be happy not to see another giant boulder for a while).  The ride through Passchendaele National Park was also a pleasant surprise.

We hope that you all had a great end to the year and looking forward to 2021.

Although we were disappointed not to have been able to hold our race this year, we did do a lot of background work, and are very please to announce that we will be holding the Donnybrook Dash 6hr race in 2021.  The race will be held in the pleasant fishing village of Donnybrook (as the race name suggests), located between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.  Our planned date for the race is Saturday 5 June.

The race will again be a rogaine or points style race, with kayaking in the Pumicestone Passage, running/trekking through urban and forested areas, and riding through pie forests with Glasshouse Mountains in the background.  Due to the large expanse of position race options we have increased the race duration to 6 hours from our previously held 3 hour races.  Anyone who has competed in the Dam Dash will be familiar with the format.  Entries will be open soon.