A team of young guns from Tugun, averaging fourteen years of age, came runners-up in the Junior Division of the Anaconda Adventure Race last year, behind a team of 17 year olds. This year Sam Head, Jack Butler, Rhyam Pankhurst and Ryan Smart, who are also known as the Machine Team will be tackling the field once again aiming to do one better, and take the top spot.

When asked why his team is named the Machine Team, Rhyam Pankhurst explains: “The definition of a complex machine is a combination of simple machines; we thought that we are all normal, simple people working together to finish a race, so it would be a good name”.

While the Machine Team will be racing in the same field as world champion multi-sporter Richard Ussher, ex-Ironman champion Guy Leech, ex-Olympic traithlete Simon Thompson and one time world champion triathlete Brad Bevan, Rhyam reckons it’s locals who inspire him and his friends. The boys are all proud members of their local Tugun Surf lifesaving club, and train within a kilometre of where the 40km Adventure Race is taking place.

Rhyam goes on to explain: “The four of us all started doing the Junior Anaconda (an obstacle course adventure run for 5-13 year olds) when it first started, but now we are too old for the junior race...[we] enjoy competing in the surf... and wanted to keep competing. We thought the full Anaconda [Adventure Race] would be a good way to do some cross training, and it’s...different from our usual surf lifesaving competitions...we do like to compete and test our skills to the limit”.

Hundreds of other adventure racers young and old will descend on the Gold Coast’s beaches and hinterland jungles on 11 September for what is the second hit-out of the four-race Anaconda Adventure Race National Series. Competitors can enter as a team or as an individual - either way it will be an unforgettable experience.

Entries are now open online. Visit www.anacondaadventurerace.com.