Webber an outdoor fitness enthusiast said: “I’m really thrilled to see how the Challenge has grown over the years both in terms of its global recognition as a premium adventure race and also a fundraiser for great Australian charities.”  

Webber’s team ‘Pure Tasmania’ will see him partner leading Australian actor Daniel MacPherson for three days of the five day event and Australia’s best female adventure racer Christie Sym for two days.

“I’ve been trying to get Dan to compete in the Challenge for two years so we’re delighted his very busy schedule has allowed him the time this year – he’s quite an athlete in his own right.“

On signing-on for his first Pure Tasmania Challenge MacPherson said: “I am very excited to be able to compete this year.  Having only just wrapped-up series 2 of City Homicide, I am now trying to get super fit, super fast, so I don’t let Mark down!

MacPherson added: “I don’t want him (Webber) dragging my backside around the Tasmanian wilderness for three days!”

On announcing Sym’s involvement Webber said: “Christie is a great athlete who deserves more recognition than she gets in Australia, so I’m looking forward to seeing her skills in action, particularly on the mountain biking legs which are a favourite of mine and possibly her strongest discipline,” added Webber.

“I think Mark secretly wants to be an adventure racer, and I'm a closet race car driver, so perhaps it'll be a chance to exchange some tips,” said Sym.

Webber says this adventure race is different to any other around the world.

Webber has built the Challenge into a major event with corporate backing from the Federal Group (Pure Tasmania) and Tourism Tasmania (discoverTasmania brand) with another twenty other leading Australian companies supporting the event.

“Competitors race in one of the most spectacular places in the world, enjoy first class food and hospitality as well as build some great new friendships with some pretty amazing people,” he said.

The 2008 course includes five stages covering the jagged contours and icy streams of Cradle Mountain, the river and lake network around Barrington, the amazing peaks of Mt Roland, the historic Port Arthur region and urban stages in Launceston and Hobart.

Webber said each of the four events held to date has seen all competitors make it to the finish.

“I really enjoy seeing people from all different backgrounds using this event to challenge themselves, initially thinking they won’t get through, but they always do.  To then see their reactions and sense of achievement when they get to the end is quite inspiring.”

Others competing in the Challenge include: former Kangaroos AFL greats Glenn Archer & Leigh Colbert, Paralympic gold medallist and Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Michael Milton, Beijing Olympic gold medal winning rowing pair (double sculls) David Crawshay and Scott Brennan, two porters from Papua New Guinea who take people Kokoda Trail for Australian expeditions company No Roads Expeditions (this will be their first ever trip outsite of Papua New Guinea and their first ever experience of adventure racing).  Corporate teams represented this year include Telstra, Royal Bank of Scotland, Europcar and a Tasmanian company Maintenance System Solutions.

The Mark Webber Challenge Foundation is raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation and the Save the Tassie Devil Appeal and hopes to raise enough funds to purchase a two-bedroom apartment to provide a home-away-from-home accommodation for patients and their families while undergoing treatment.

To make a donation www.markwebberchallenge.com/donation

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