TOUGH KIDS

Hats and sunscreen were the order of the day when Sport Whanganui staged the Mitre 10 Mega Wanganui Tough Kid competitions at Cooks Gardens on Friday.

Nature provided fierce sunshine and 38 schools took to the field with 2062 competitors making it through the obstacles.

Obstacles were sponsored by Mitre 10 Mega, as well as A Plus Plumbing, Bridgestone Select Tyres and Alloys, Wanganui Rugby Union, Civil Defence, Ali Arc and Hoskins Carriers.

Providing assistance on the day were volunteers from the Cadet Forces, Future Champions Trust, YESS Council students, Volunteer Whanganui, NZ Fire Service Whanganui and NZ Police — more than 70 volunteers in all.

Setup on Thursday was made easier with assistance from builders supplied by Geoff Davies.

Mitre 10 Mega staff — including owner/manager Hayden Gibson — were on hand at the finish line, presenting every competitor with a Mitre 10 Mega drink bottle and a Resene paint test pot filled with Smarties.

Paul Brooks took his camera along on Friday morning.

The Mitre 10 Mega team hands out goodies at the finish.

Jack Wright from Nga¯ matapouri School takes the final slide before the finish line.

Osyris Farrow-Sanson from Castlecliff School comes in.

Trophies lined up ready for prize giving.

Brunswick School’s Olivia Campbell leads a bunch through the tyres.

Jake Savage of St Mary’s leads Phoenix Timoti of St Marcellin through the spray.