The Legend expedition adventure race was launched by Wild&Co in 2023 as part of the Adventure Racing World Series. In the first race teams crossed the Alpine mountains, forests and lakes of the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. In the second edition teams took on the on the the rugged coastline and wild hinterland of the Great Ocean Road.
These spectacular journey’s undertaken on bikes, on foot and in kayaks were just the start of a much, much bigger journey, taking racers to the most scenic areas of every state in Australia.
Race Director Chris Dixon plans to hold The Legend annually, with each race moving to a new location, in a new state, travelling around Australia with the 2025 race will be based in Southern Tasmania.
Adventure racing teams will have the chance to circumnavigate Australia, as Dixon explains; “At the closing ceremony of the 2023 event we asked competing teams where they’d like to race next. There was such a diverse range of responses from the south western tip of Western Australia to the deserts of central Australia, from the island tropics of far North Queensland to the forests of Tasmania.
The ‘Wonky Donkeys’ take on the trails around Forest in 2024
“In order to deliver on our vision to establish The Legend Expedition Race as the quintessential Australian expedition race – one that sees teams competing in the toughest sport on the planet, in the most iconic locations in Australia, we realised we needed to do it all.
“’Doing a big lap’ of Australia is dream that many in Australia and around the world have, and the Legend Expedition Race will be a unique and exciting way to fulfil that dream.”
The 2025 race will take place from th to March 2nd, and entries are now open on the race website at: www.legendexpd.com.au
The next destination for The Legend offers the chance to race in area which has never been used for an expedition adventure race before.
Huonville is just 1hr from Hobart Airport
The race HQ will be in the town of Huonville, Tasmania, which is only 1 hour drive from Hobart airport, and is a popular step off point for those wanting to explore the wild south and south west regional of Tasmania.
The town is set at the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the town is an ideal base for exploring Tasmania's far south.
Huonville is the heart of Tasmania’s original apple-growing region, this bustling town is unsurprisingly a treat for those who enjoy fine produce. The surrounding area produces smoked and fresh salmon, honey, mushrooms, apples, stone fruit, pears, olives, saffron, wines and plenty of cider.
As race HQ the town will be the step off point for teams to a truely Tasmanian Wilderness experience. The Legend course will take on rivers, coastlines, lakes and mountain trails for an epic Tasmanian adventure taking teams into what has been described as “one of the last true wilderness regions on Earth encompassing a greater range of natural and cultural values than any other region on Earth”
Teams take on the epic Great Ocean Trail to finish Legend 2024
Dixon said, “Teams will travel truely wild coastal trails and climb alpine peaks. They will kayak wild lakes and rivers. Cycle through ancient forests and take on an epic remote trek that will be talked about for years to come. Teams will need to be prepared for remote travel in areas where they will not see signs of civilisation for days and we have an unforgettable mystery discipline organised by passionate local experts.”
Adventure Racing World Series CEO Heidi Muller commented, “The ARWS has had an Australian expedition race in the calendar almost every year and Chris is carrying forward that great tradition. His vision to take The Legend to every Australian state is impressive and going from The Snowy Mountains to The Great Ocean Road and now to Tasmania is a wonderful start! He is providing Australian racers with a unique opportunity to explore their country.”
The Legend format is a classic, non-stop 6 day adventure race involving trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and other adventure disciplines. The race is for teams of four and they must stay together and navigate their way unsupported through an epic 500+km course.
The Mountain Designs Wild Women, winners of the 2024 edition of Legend
For those wanting to test out expedition racing there will also be a half course option next year. This will offer the same epic adventure and visit the most iconic locations, but teams will have the full 6 days to race half of the full course distance, allowing more inexperienced teams a greater chance of reaching the finish line.
Race Details
Date: 1 – 8 March 2025
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Duration: 6 days / 500km & 250km (full and half course)
Entries: Open Now, Early Bird Ends 31 July 2024
Team size: 4 person
