On Tuesday 12 December, over 2,600 primary and intermediate students from across Greater Christchurch descended on South New Brighton Domain for the fifth annual Sport Canterbury Tough Kid event.  The Merrin School Year 4 - 7's were there to challenge themselves and celebrate the end of the 2017 school year.

The 1km course featured inflatable obstacles, a slippery slide and a mud pit.  The course took the competitor through the forest and through the estuary, returning to the domain. The tide was in this year which meant that the run across the mud flats became a wade, and in some cases a swim. The Police and Fire Service were on hand to help the kids through the course.  Unfortunately the lack of rain in recent weeks meant that the traditionally muddy parts of the course were a little dry, but the Fire Service ensured that the children were suitably soaked by the end of the day.  

The kids were encouraged to dress up, and our very own Mia D and James P were selected to take part in the best dressed competition. They were narrowly edged out by Santa. An outfit choice that may have been regretted when trying to navigate the mud tunnel with an enormous Santa head! 

It was a fantastic afternoon out, with more than one 'Tough Kid' declaring they couldn't wait til next year.