2016 Cure Kids Great Adventure Race Day Report: The Spirit of the Race

It was a perfect day for an adventure race, mild and fine. We had an early start, with the race beginning at 8am and setup under way an hour before that.

The route needed be to mapped to pass through the 20 checkpoints, and took around 6:30 hours all up. Here are some of Alan’s race day highlights.

Surprise of the day

Starting at the back of the race with a plan for an easy day, then passing teams by taking better lines through the farmland to end up in first place at the first control.

Achievement of the day

Leading the race through all the off-track navigation sections.

Best race section

100 meters of swimming up the Mangatawhiri stream to pull out at the weir with support crews looking on and cheering (still in 1st place).

Worst race section

Pushing bikes up the steepest, most ridiculous "downhill" track and watching 4 teams slip past us.

Best teamwork

Our super slick support crew at the transitions. Getting us fed and back out there within a couple of minutes of arriving.

Best run

Sprint across the finish line to take 6th place and the IT cup.

Highlight of the day #1

The look on ambassador (and T shirt designer) Jax's face when we presented him with a Theta support crew t-shirt.

Highlight of the day #2

Being called on stage to collect the spirit of the race award. Best award in the race!

Congratulations to Alan, the whole team, support crew and everyone who got behind them and fundraised. We’re delighted to have raised a record total of more than $17K for Cure Kids this year. If you would like to make a donation to Cure Kids, you still can!

Here are our racers. So proud of you all!

Thanks to Ivor Whibley for the photos accompanying this post, and to all support crew members!