In 2000, a new kind of multi-sport event emerged on Tasmania’s east coast: the Freycinet Challenge. At the heart of it was Tim Saul, who, alongside Mark Bowden, helped shape the event and went on to organise it for the next 17 years. Through his vision, persistence, and dedication, Tim transformed an ambitious idea into one of Australia’s most iconic endurance events.
The idea for the Challenge grew from experience. In the late 1990s, Tim and Mark organised and competed in the gruelling Cradle to Coast race—an event that pushed participants far beyond ordinary limits. Competitors ran over Cradle Mountain, paddled the whitewater of the Derwent—including the infamous Broken Bridge rapids—and endured legs that could stretch well beyond six hours. The opening day’s run alone could take some over 11 hours. For most people, it was simply unattainable. Only the toughest—or perhaps the slightly crazy—could survive it.
Tim and Mark saw a different opportunity. Tasmania didn’t need another punishing “ball tearer” that only elite athletes could finish. What was needed was a Goldilocks event: not too big, not too small, not too hard, not too easy—something “just right.” It would challenge top competitors while also welcoming social teams, families, and friends who wanted a race they could train for, complete, and enjoy. And just as importantly, it would showcase Tasmania’s natural beauty, particularly the stunning Freycinet Peninsula, while creating a family-friendly adventure.
The first iteration, the Wineglass Bay Classic, debuted in 2000. Competitors ran to the end of Wineglass Bay and back, mountain biked to Cape Tourville and out to Friendly Beaches, cycled to Dolphin Sands, and paddled via Moulting Lagoon to Swanwick. In its early years, the transitions were spread across the landscape, creating a grand adventure—stretching resources thin. Over time, the now-familiar cloverleaf format was adopted. By centralising all transitions at Coles Bay, the event became more sustainable for organisers and support crews—and more enjoyable and accessible for athletes and their families.
Through all these changes, one constant remained: Tim Saul. From laying bunting and plotting courses to ensuring the race not only happened but thrived, Tim’s enthusiasm, belief, and vision laid the foundation for the Challenge. Without his 17 years of tireless work, it’s doubtful the event would have survived, let alone grown into the race it is today—one that continues to test elite athletes while welcoming newcomers of all ages and abilities.
The Freycinet Challenge has always been about balance: competition and camaraderie, toughness and enjoyment, endurance and accessibility. That balance is Tim Saul’s enduring legacy—and it remains at the heart of the event a quarter of a century later.
Sadly, Tim Saul passed away in early 2025. The Freycinet Challenge lives on in his memory, and multiple trophies in Tim's name are awarded to winning athletes—ensuring his impact on multi-sport events in Tasmania is never forgotten.
