TRIATHLON

Wild Challenge returns to Pukaha Mount Bruce with additional Junior Challenge

By Destination Wairarapa


Competitors at the beginning of last year’s inaugural Wild Challenge
at Pukaha, a biathlon held just north of Masterton.


The next generation of trail runners will be catered for this spring when The Wild Challenge at Pukaha biathlon returns to the sports calendar with a new junior race.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural 10km back country trail run and 32km road cycle held in and around the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre north of Masterton, this year will also see the inclusion of a junior 5km trail run.  Both events will be held on Sunday September 27th 2015 and are a fundraiser for the Centre’s forest restoration project which includes predator control programmes.

Pukaha Mount Bruce general manager Helen Tickner says both the Wild Challenge Kids Run at Pukaha and the biathlon will take participants through some of Wairarapa’s most gorgeous scenery.

“Both the Kids Run and Wild Challenge biathlon course will see participants weave through restored native bush packed with our native birds. This will provide participants with a great challenge but the reward will be knowing they are directly contributing towards our pest control work and keeping the forest as safe as possible for our special birds,” says Mrs Tickner.

She says the decision to include a new junior race follows the success of 2014’s inaugural event which attracted over 100 competitors and was won by Wairarapa triathlete Hamish Hammond. Mrs Tickner said feedback from competitors and their supporters suggested there was a demand to stage a junior event that encouraged youngsters to get out and active in New Zealand’s native forest.

The new 5km Wild Challenge Kids Run will be open to children aged 8 -16 years and see them follow a well defined path that goes past aviaries at the Centre before venturing up a hillside track to the lookout and down the other side.

The biathlon, open to be people over 16-years of age, features a 10km trail run which will begin at the Pukaha redwoods stand and follow the main visitor walking track for approximately 1.5 kilometres before turning into Braddicks Track, a back country trapping track weaving through restored native bush.  After coming out onto Braddicks Farm in Mauriceville, runners will then follow a gravel road until the run/bike transition at Mount Munro Road.

The 32km road cycle winds through rolling rural farmland with pretty views. It will take in West Road, South Road and Opaki-Kaiparoro Road before looping back to Pukaha Mount Bruce via State Highway 2.

As part of the entry fee, each competitor will receive a family pass to Pukaha for September 27th so that their supporters can have a fantastic day out while they wait for the competitors to finish.

The biathlon event is open to both individuals and teams.  NB: due to the challenging nature of the run, it is open to those over the age of 16 years. Entries now open at www.pukaha.org.nz/wildchallenge

DETAILS
What:  The Wild Challenge at Pukaha and Wild Challenge Kids Run
When:  September 27th 2015
Where: Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, SH2, Wairararpa. (Approximately a 20 minute drive north of Masterton and a 45 minute drive from Palmerston North).
Start time: 9am for Wild Challenge
  9.30am for Wild Challenge Kids Run
Distance: 10km trail run NB: due to the challenging nature of the run, it is open to those over the age of 16 years.
32km road cycle.
Wild Challenge Kids Run: 5km trail for children aged 8 years to 16 years.

All profits going to the Pukaha forest restoration fund.