Media Release

THE world’s toughest endurance athletes will take on the some of the most deadly and spectacular environments on Earth in a multi-million-dollar race set to showcase the Far North’s unique drawcards across Australia and internationally.

"We will turn what is one of the most dangerous parts of the world to our advantage," said Australian Party Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today in announcing the World’s Greatest Adventure Race at Babinda Boulders, south of Cairns.

"We have the deadliest snakes, the biggest crocs, killer jellyfish and most savage sharks on Earth. I think I would prefer to face a lion than a taipan snake: at least you can see a lion coming.

"So we’re telling Asia, America, Europe... turn loose your best. There ain’t gunna be any life insurance on this one. This is for the toughest of the tough.

"But it will also require intellectual resources, the ability to camp out and survive in the bush for three nights – real Bear Grylls stuff."

Mr Katter said each stage of three-day race would highlight some of the greatest natural attractions in the world, such as 1000-foot waterfalls, sheer cliff faces, whitewater rapids, and Australia’s highest mountain ranges topped with massive stands of timber, to name a few.

"It will be a pilgrimage centre the same as other parts of the world. So it’s a tourism story but it’s a story of many aspects, including making a quid out of it for our First Australians and boosting the local economy in an area decimated by cyclones Larry and Yasi."

Mr Katter dubbed as "one of Australia’s last great impresarios" the event organiser, Shane Rushbrook, who was behind large-scale international events such as the 2000 Olympics soccer in Brisbane; the previous CHOGM attended by the Queen; and an international cotton conference with thousands of delegates.

Mr Rushbrook travelled to the Far North to give the media a taste of what is to come at the 2013 even, with a concept launch staged at the Babinda Boulders featuring local athletes – husband and wife triathletes Matt and Jo Carmen, horseman Tim Riley and international cyclist Adam Cobain – emerging from the rainforest to meet Mr Katter at a mock finish line.