Meet the three winners of our recent Fit for Adventurethon Competition that you helped us select to take part in Magnetic Island Adventurethon at the end of March: Darren Lowe (Taste winner), Kate Donnelly (Team Enduro winner) and Nada Jones (bonus Taste winner in the spirit of the new female Taste event). This trio won a free pass to compete in the iconic adventure event, plus score four weeks of unlimited training with Outer Limits Adventure Fitness to get them race-ready. We caught up with them to find out how they are feeling, what they’re most looking forward to, and if they have any reservations as event first-timers.

Nada Jones

How do you feel about winning? I’m absolutely stoked – it’s been one of my goals to do Adventurethon for ages, and now I have an extra push to do it.

Have you ever done anything like this before? I’ve done Spartan Races in Brisbane and Sydney, but I’ve never done an Adventurethon race.

Have you always been active? I’m a customer service manager at Woolies so I’m on my feet for most of the day, but I’ve only really started exercising in the past three years. I was very big back then, and I’m still trying to lose weight, but I’m much more active now and all three of my kids are behind me with the training.

What are you most looking forward to? Finishing it and having that sense of achievement.

What will you find the most challenging? Paddling because I haven’t done much of it – I feel a bit nervous, but it’s an excited nervous.

What’s your goal with this event? To not fall out of the kayak would be fantastic (laughs)! I train a lot with my teenage children (15, 19 and 20); so doing this one on my own will be taking me out of my comfort zone, so it’s my goal to achieve it alone.

Is it even more special that it’s your birthday weekend? Yes – we’ve actually been on the Island before for my birthday and have seen the event in action and I always say, “Wouldn’t it be great to do it”. Now I will with all my family there with me.

How are you planning to use the four weeks of training before? I’ll be continuing with my usual training, but taking up an extra two sessions with Outer Limits to get prepared with the paddling and mountain biking in particular. If I fall out of the kayak I need to know how to get back in! I’m looking forward to doing the training in the lead-up – I’ve always wanted to train with [multi-sport athlete] Sam Stedman.

Has anyone given you any advice? Not as yet, but I’m sure they will!

Anything else to say? Thank you to TheGo, Adventurethon and Outer Limits for the prize – without these local guys offering their support it wouldn’t happen.

Darren Lowe

How do you feel about winning? Fantastic at first; now I’m nervous more than anything!

Have you ever done anything like this before? No, although it’s been on my bucket list to do; along with completing a half triathlon with Chris Whitty.

Have you always been active? I am competitive and enjoy doing parkrun every Saturday to challenge and improve myself.

What has been your biggest active achievement to-date? The Gold Coast Half Marathon.

What are you most looking forward to? The experience of being involved and the challenge.

What will you find the most challenging? The paddling: It’s something I haven’t tried yet, plus not to be seen as the crocodile’s lunch!

What’s your goal with this event? To complete the circuit in one piece.

How are you planning to use the four weeks of training before? Balancing work commitments to improve my fitness with Outer Limits fitness classes.

Has anyone given you any advice? Yes, everyone that commented and voted: Enjoy the experience and have fun.

Anything else to say? Thanks to my partner Bec for nominating me… although, revenge will be sweet. Thank you to everyone who voted: If it wasn’t for your support, and TheGo Townsville, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do this wonderful event.

Kate Donnelly

How do you feel about winning? Very excited and looking forward to training.

Have you ever done anything like this before? I haven’t done this event before; but I did the Magnetic Island Treasure Quest last year, which was a lot of fun.

Have you always been active? Yes – I’ve played and represented a lot of different sports from a junior age.

How has having an injury affected you? It’s become more of a lifestyle change. I need to be aware that I have a labral tear in my hip and it can get worse if I increase my physical activity, especially to what I was doing before my injury. I want to get into kayaking as my new sport and do it competitively.

What has been your biggest active achievement to-date? I’ve represented the Defence Force in multiple sports, including soccer and golf; and I’m a North Queensland Champion in golf for Defence females.

What are you most looking forward to? Being my first Adventurethon, I’m looking forward to doing it as part of a team with Natalie Dowse [23km bike] and my fiancé Mitchell Annetts [12.1km run]. I’d like to do one on my own eventually, but that’s a big challenge. I’m also looking forward to learning from the more experienced people in the race.

What will you find the most challenging? The distance – I’ve never done a 13km paddle before.

What’s your goal with this event? To be able to finish it and enjoy doing it. I’m used to being at the ‘senior’ level in the sports I play, but I’ll be a ‘junior’ this time, especially as I’m not used to pushing my endurance. My biggest priority is not to injure myself more.

How are you planning to use the four weeks of training before? I’ll start training on Monday and aim to do four sessions a week to build up my overall fitness.

Anything else to say? Bring on the challenge!

adventurethon.com.au/events/magnetic-island/ | outerlimitsadventure.com.au/