The 2024 New Zealand Secondary Schools Adventure Racing championship event - called Go-4-12 - was held at Lake Tutira in the Hawkes Bay. The 12 hour, non-stop race covered approximately 50km over a mystery course. Three-person teams started in the dark at 6am, with a quick 900m run, a canoe paddle, then navigated on bike and foot to find checkpoints in varied terrain. Additional points could be collected by completing challenges such as a high-ropes course and problem-solving activities.

The course tested a variety of skills including navigation, running, mountain biking and teamwork.

It was a very successful event for Onslow College, with each of their three teams placing in their categories and the first time a Wellington school has won the championship.

First overall and winners of the NZSSARC Male 12 hour team category were Jake McLellan, Aidan Wheeler and Ryan Henshaw. They completed the course in a time of 11 hrs 18 minutes, well within the 12 hour time limit, and were one of only three teams to collect all of the points available.

Additional placings were:
First place 6hr mixed team - Will Steward, Isla Weir and Annelise Quigley.
Third place 12hr mixed team- Alison Power, Charlie Pope and Austin Inder.

Later this month they will join with 5 other team members to compete at the North Island Hillary Challenge 6hr event, with the aim of qualifying for the national Hillary Challenge finals.

Well done Onslow College Adventure Racing, and thankyou to Go-4-12 for organising a great event!

Article added: Friday 03 May 2024