Competitors needed to be escorted across swift flowing estuary entrances as the race entered into its final day on Friday between Bermagui to Narooma’s surf beach.

The race that started on Monday on the top of Thredbo Mountain made its way down the escarpment and it was down on the coast that course setter Wayne Byard of Narooma experienced some real challenges.

Last year, Mr Byard was able to set the route across the beaches but this time he had find a diversion around Corunna Lake while the riders had to cross the entrances at Tilba and Nangudga lakes, where Narooma surf lifesaver Linda Wilton helped out.

Chest deep in water the pair directed the exhausted 130 remaining endurance riders through the rushing water. The night before Mr Byard and his course setting assistant Chris Lemon where out until 1.30am marking the course that wound its way through private land and public roadways.

The race also took on a sour note when several cars parked outside the Bermagui hotel on Thursday night were broken into with competitors and organisers belongings stolen, including a trail bike brought along for the course setting.

Some of the belongings were recovered the next day after a police investigation.

While there were no local competitors this year, the race was won again by Jason English of Port Macquarie who was overheard at the finish saying he “had nothing left”.

He said he didn’t mind the creek crossings and enjoyed the challenge of the course. Down at the Narooma surf beach, the surf lifesaving club helped out with the finish providing meals and hosing down the sand and salt from the bikes.

“The rains, while welcome to all locals, meant that every lake crossing on the 49km stage from Bermagui to Narooma was a wet one. This combined with a high tide, saw many competitors wading chest deep with bikes held aloft. One or two $7000 bikes endured a full dunking in the salt.”

“The crossings combined with soft sand beaches and lush grass paddocks made it a real challenge for some of the remaining 135 competitors. A stiff NE headwind slowed progress too.

No such trouble for the lead riders though, with Jason English finishing in 2:07:01 with Andy Blair again coming in second, two minutes and seven seconds behind on 2:09:08. Nick Both was third, just a second behind Andy on 2:09:09.”