2008 Cure Kids Great Adventure Race

The 2008 Cure Kids Great Adventure Race is being staged for the fifth consecutive year in the Waitakere Ranges, but that will not make it any the less challenging for the 40 or so teams competing in the high profile corporate multisport fundraising event, which has raised over $2m since its inception in 2004.

That’s the view of Race Director Alan Nelson who says that although four previous events have been held in the Waitakeres “there has been no problem developing a fresh course.”

The event raises funds for Cure Kids which is allocated for research into children’s life threatening illnesses. In 2007 a second race was introduced in the South Island based in Queenstown, and the two combine to raise significant funds each year.

The 2008 race will involve running/trekking, mountain biking, orientation and navigation and traversing waterways. Traditionally the course is under wraps until just prior to the race.

“We have had great support from local property owners and this has allowed access to some special places,” says Nelson. “There will be a lot more off track navigation involved this year and teams are going to be able to put their training to good use.”

Fonterra will be defending its 2007 title has entered a record six teams in the North Island race while another competed in the recent South Island event. Other companies are competing for the fifth year running.

Cure Kids North Island Funding Manager Angela Bishop says the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race has attracted strong loyalty and companies such as Cadbury, Colliers International, Mainfreight and Microsoft return year after year.

“The race was originally developed for ‘weekend warriors’ and most of the first year teams had never been in an adventure race of any kind. Those same teams are now becoming very skilled and proficient raising the bar of the competition significantly.”

She says there have been some incredible stories emerge over the years.

“One of the competitors who took part in the race subsequently had a child suffer from leukaemia which was an incredibly emotional experience for him and his company and highlighted for them the compelling reason for competing. Several competitors, particularly women have extended their limits significantly, returning each year to challenge themselves further.”

Amongst the corporate teams this year are two new teams, one representing the Waitakere City Council and the other St John Ambulance.

Team captain for the St John’s team (Team Priority One Racing) Jo Wilson says she and two other paramedics and a policeman have been motivated to compete because of the charity.

“One of our original team members, who had to unfortunately withdraw, lost a sister to childhood leukaemia. But added to that we often carry sick children in the ambulance and it would be nice to think we could do something positive to help.”

Microsoft team spokesman Brigette Reed has been an ardent supporter of the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race because of the inspiration it provides her entire company.

“The key thing is the kids themselves and their positivity no matter what life throws at them,” she says. “But there is also the business community’s strong sense of goodwill and the enormous amount of time that accompanies their involvement in the race.”

She endorsed the view of many of the teams that the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race is the ideal backdrop for team building. “Our team formed a very close bond and we witnessed individuals in the team, go beyond their personal limits, enabling us to perform well as a team.”