Surviving six hours of adventure
Numbers are increasing for Taranaki’s annual six-hour adventure race as the sport continues to grow nationally.
Race director Matt Lash said Saturday’s event was a huge success, with competitors coming from all over the North Island.
‘‘The participants got to experience some pretty unique, scenic locations,’’ he said. ‘‘It was a really good day of adventure.’’
The adventure race included mountain biking, trekking, water activities, mystery activities and a rogaine course. Competitors have to use a map to navigate to checkpoints that have different points values. There are six categories – pairs, fours, men, women, students and mixed.
‘‘It’s got a level for everybody,’’ Lash said. ‘‘We had 362 competitors which is well up from the last few years. It’s the biggest adventure race probably held in Taranaki.’’
Highlights of the course included navigating up a secluded lake inlet to a 25 metre waterfall, canyoning and exploring ridge tracks with spectacular Taranaki views. One mystery activity involved teams carrying fence posts up a steep ridge – the higher up the ridge, the more points, and one less job for the farmer.
He said the sport was growing in New Zealand, and the race had grown from 200 competitors in 2013.
‘‘It’s a sport that most people who have a decent level of fitness can have a decent crack at.
‘‘It’s one sport that has captivated me because of these challenges across the board, whether they be physical or mental...and it’s got a social aspect.’’
The location, which is only revealed to competitors at their briefing the night before, was on the family farm of former New Zealand hockey player Ben Collier near Eltham.
‘‘We were able to set a course that had a level of challenge for all racers that included lake, bush, river and track options,’’ Lash said. Also on offer was a threehour course option for less experienced adventurers.
For 13-year-old Dantae Langton, the highlight of the day was canyoning through a narrow river with his lifejacket and boogie board.
‘‘You’d put your foot down and not know how deep it was going to be. It was so much fun,’’ he said.
Organisers are planning to run the event again in 2019.