Course Description

PLEASE NOTE THESE DETAILS CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UPON THE DISCRETION OF THE RACE DIRECTOR.

A rewarding challenge for the well prepared multisport athlete, the Grin n Bear It course will prove testing, tough and truly wild – but incredibly scenic and satisfying, to anyone chasing an adventurous achievement.

Grin n Bear It Challenge participants will experience a classic four legged multisport event;

Open water 2km swim OR 8km paddle,
Out and back 12km lake paddle,
62km mountainous MTB Ride,
12km approx. trail run – as the final sting in the tail, of a magnificent multisport course.

Race will begin at 7.00am

1. Ochre Restaurant Swim Leg

The (mostly) sheltered Torpedo Bay to the West of Barrabadeen Peninsula will host the Swim Leg. In October water temperatures are likely to be cool to comfortable. Barrabadeen blocks the predominant South Easterly breeze, making for an achievable first leg.

*For those completing the 8km paddle instead of the 2km swim, paddlers will complete a similar route to the 12km paddle leg with a minor adjustment to be released prior to race start.

Cut off time 8.15am

2. Paddle Leg

Paddle: 2 x 6km laps.

At the completion of the swim, participants will collect paddlecraft and associated equipment and head west, straight across Barrabadeen Bay. A sharp left hand before the shore directs paddlers towards Tinaroo Village and then out into the more open and potentially exposed waters of Lake Tinaroo. Paddlers will head East past Platypus Bay Campground and steadily turn North East, keeping the Danbulla side of Tinaroo on their left and Fong On Peninsula on their right. A boat flying the Grin n Bear It Flag marks the turnaround (at approx 4km). From here competitors will hug the shoreline on their return, paddle directly past Barrabadeen headland and back across to the bouy at the western side of Barrabadeen Bay to commence their second lap.

At the completion of the second lap paddlers will turn right as they pass Barrabadeen headland and back to shore to complete the paddle.

Note: Paddlers should keep to the left of marker buoys, except the final bouy directing them back into Barrabadeen at the completion of the second lap.

Any single person paddle craft is ok, must be seaworthy. Oars, sails or motors are not permitted. Wearing a PFD is mandatory.

Paddle leg cut off time 9:45am

3. Mountain Bike Leg

MTB’s will replace paddle craft for Leg Three – a 45-60km ride (subject to final course). — 2024 Mountain Bike Course Update —-
Due to severe damage to the Mt Edith and Kauri Creek Roads, these roads are currently closed to public access and will not be available for the GnB 2024 race. An alternative route has been developed as shown in the map below to ensure a healthy mountain bike leg is still included in the race (45km, 1250m elevation minimum). Additional sections may be added to this route subject to final permit authority approval.

Bike leg cut off time 2:45pm

4. Run Leg

The approximately 12km run leg starts and finishes at Barrabadeen. From Race HQ competitors will cross the driveway and onto the trail on the eastern side of Barrabadeen. At the abseil rock competitors take the ‘stairs’ to pop back onto the driveway & down to Danbulla Drive.
After crossing Danbulla Drive, a two-lap course winds up and around the rugged single trails and granite outcrops above Torpedo Bay. Glorious views over the Atherton Tableland, steep descents to the dam wall & the vista from Danbulla Drive will be the highlights of the run leg – depending on the condition of one’s thighs – with views to Barrabadeen and the Finish Line sure to motivate even the weariest of participants.

After completing 2 laps of the Torpedo Bay – Danbulla Drive loop, finishers will head back into Barrabadeen & veer off the driveway, through the campground along the western foreshore to complete this epic challenge. A tremendous sense of achievement awaits them along with eternal glory, some serious multisport kudos and a face full of the ‘Grin’ inspired by the events’ title and the size of each and every participants’ accomplishment.

Run leg cut off time 4:30pm

*All stages are subject to change. * Entry numbers will be limited.

Cut off times

Cut off times will be enforced at the discretion of the Race Director.

Swim – 8.15 am – wetsuit optional, swim caps will be provided

Paddle – 9.45 am – own craft, Australian Standard PFD required.

Bike – 2.45 pm – helmet to Australian Standard, bikes to be recently serviced & well maintained, competitors to wear appropriate clothing to cover torso.

Run – 4.30 pm – Runners are advised to be self sufficient & carry some water and food on the run course

Presentation will begin at 3pm

RACE INFO PACK

Proud to be Plastic Bottle free. Please bring your own water bottles and coffee/tea cup.