Queenstown Hill challenge this Sunday!

The annual opportunity to walk, mountain bike or run across Queenstown Hill is happening this Sunday (October 30), with the third Queenstown Hill Challenge fundraiser for Wakatipu High School’s year 10 Branches Camp.

The 13km traverse along this well-known local landmark, usually closed to the public, is “an ideal family event,” said Branches Charitable Trust spokeswoman Vanessa van Uden.

Branches Camp is the 10 day “rite of passage” for year 10 Wakatipu students where they camp at Skipper’s Branches Station and take part in a range of activities from tramping and shooting to rafting, scree slope running and search and rescue.

In its 42nd year, it is believed to be the longest running outdoor skills and adventure school camp in New Zealand. “For many students, it is the highlight of their school years and it is a unique feature of our high school in this risk adverse age," Ms van Uden said.

Sunday morning’s event heads off from Wakatipu High School’s Gorge Road entrance at 9am after an 8:45am briefing. Records so far are 47 min for biking and 52 min for running, but mere mortals are more likely to take around 1.5 hours to bike, two hours to run and three hours to walk the route.

Entry fee is $40 for adults or $25 for under 18-year-olds for those who preregister via the Wakatipu High School website (www.wakatipu.school.nz) or you can register on the day for an extra five dollars.

Ms van Uden said the trust had raised $33,000 over the previous two years to help subsidise the per student cost of the unique camp, meaning it this year cost students only $300 for the entire experience. The trust hoped to raise a similar amount this year.

The event had yet again received huge community support and she wanted to particularly thank the following businesses and individuals for their contributions; the Middleton family, Department of Conservation, Lakes Environmental, Delta, SJ Allen, Craig Ferguson, Brendan Quill, Remarkable Runners, Queenstown 4WD Club, St John's Ambulance, Tony Brookes, Just Dig It and Remarkable Audio.

For further information, please contact Vanessa van Uden on 0272296008