If you are looking for a little adventure then the bay is the place to find it. A 9km kayak leg has replaced the original swim leg of the Adventure race and the format now features a kayak leg, mountain bike ride and run.

The Nobbys2Newcastle Ocean Swim will now be held on February 21 after dangerous surf forced the postponement of the 2km open water event, originally set down for December 13.

The Big Beach Challenge will enjoy top billing on Surfest Sunday with this year’s event to be held on the finals day of Newcastle’s festival of surfing on February 28 2016.

Big Beach Challenge organiser Paul Humphreys is excited by the new partnership and believes it is a step towards the event becoming one of the country’s classic sand runs.

Pounding the pavement is great but it can become tiresome, so why not take on a new challenge this year and hit the sand. Sand running is gruelling, yes, but sand running is also rewarding. And here are three reasons why you should give it a go.