All bets are off for Challenge
All bets were off last weekend when 20 teams and 74 individuals set off on the inaugural Te Wairoa Challenge at Ahipara.
The family team event was organised by parent Briana Nathan, as a fundraiser for the school, and she was thrilled with the number of families who turned out.
“And the weather was perfect,” she said, adding her thanks to everyone who entered, helped and supported the event.
The challenge was based on the family races staged in larger centres, involving a 5km run through Ahipara and along 90 Mile Beach.
Along the way contestants had to complete eight challenges, such as creating a family handshake, weaving a flax fish and making a sand sculpture.
The race was supported by around 30 volunteers, who manned stations and helped with organisation leading up to the day.
Lorien Meyers, who took on the challenge with her family, said the event had a great vibe and was well-organised fun that her entire wha¯nau thoroughly enjoyed, even the wind-swept slog along the beach, which they dubbed ‘death by sand’.
“We are all looking forward to the next one,” she said.
And there will be a next one. Briana needed no more motivation than the positive feedback she received to confirm that it would become an annual event.
Meanwhile, Shine on Kaitaia youth volunteers were there this time to entertain the preschoolers with sport and fitness activities, and contestants were welcomed to the finish line with a free sausage sizzle and spot prizes.