What's adventure racing?

Adventure Racing is a multi-disciplinary race across unfamiliar terrain, over a set time, in teams of 2 -4 people. It is a very popular sport that you can enjoy with friends, family, school friends or workmates. The skills involved are map-reading, trekking or running, biking, and problem solving. A reasonable level of fitness is required. You can choose an event that suits your fitness level – 3-hour, 6-hour, or 9-hour.

Just a wee bit of history:

Middleton Grange School has a long history in Adventure Racing, with our teams competing regularly in the Hillary Challenge, the premier Secondary Schools’ event in New Zealand. In the past, MGS teams have won this event. Have a look at https://www.hillaryoutdoors.co.nz/programmes/macpac-hillary-challenge/ to find out more. We’ve also had ex-students who have gone on to compete in Adventure Racing at a national and international level and have done very well in this challenging sport.

MGS ran our first Canterbury Adventure Race in 2020, raising $12,000 for the school. Last year’s event was postponed due to a lockdown, but despite the postponement and the challenges of Covid 19, we ran a great event and raised $22,000 for the school. This directly benefitted our kapahaka groups, the Primary School Library, and other areas of the school.

2022 event – Saturday 27th August:

The date has been set for 2022, and of course we are hoping to be free of Covid restrictions by the end of August! This is a great way to get fit and have some fun with friends and family, whilst supporting the school at the same time. Registrations will open in a few weeks, so now is a good time to get your team and training organised. If taking part doesn’t appeal, why not volunteer to help on the day of the event or with some of the preparations beforehand? We will need people to be marshals, operate the registration desk, organise sponsors and spot prizes, operate the start/finish line, help with advertising, catering, first aid, and many other tasks. If you can help in any way, please email Rod Thompson: r.thompson@middleton.school.nz Last year we had a great team and working together was a good way to have some fun and meet other people who are involved in our school community.

We’ve had some excellent sponsorship from local businesses which is a BIG help with our prizes and race packs. If you run a business and would like to help us out in some way, please let Rod know. It’s an effective way to put something back into the community and to promote your business at the same time.

LET’S MAKE THIS A FANTASTIC EVENT!