Strong Domestic and International Line Up Expected for Next Orion Health GODZone

With entries opening tomorrow (June 1st, 2012) high profile adventure racing teams are lining up to compete at the second instalment of the Orion Health GODZone to held in New Zealand from the 8th - 16th March, 2013.

Following the huge success of the first event, which traversed some 500km from Milford Sound to Queenstown, there has been a surge of interest with many competitors contacting the organisers, concerned about the availability of places. Co Race Director Warren Bates has been delighted with the excitement and feedback generated by the event.

“The dream of racing through New Zealand’s wilderness and mountains is now a reality for all and everyone seems to be buzzing about it.
The return of true expedition racing here has been welcomed everywhere and I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few weeks assuring teams, many of whom became addicted to the race’s live coverage website, that we will do our best to cater for all.”

The Orion Health GODZone has been developed specifically to take in the scenic beauty and outstanding mountainous areas of the lower South Island. The course remains a secret until the day before the race. Despite the start being over nine months away, Warren says that the course for GODZone Chapter Two is already largely complete.

“It might seem pretty early to some but we were determined to get out before the winter snows to make sure we had something truly spectacular lined up for the teams. I can’t say too much about the course but it’s fair to say that it’s more technical than Chapter One, just as beautiful and will be an incredible achievement for those who get to the finish.”

The aim of the adventure race is for teams of four to get from start to finish using a map and compass to navigate through a series of checkpoints and transition areas over several days and nights. No support crews are allowed on course so competitors rely on themselves and the race organisers to survive.

“One major change that we’ve made to the event this time is to increase the race duration by an extra day to six and a half days,” says Warren, “GODZone represents the ultimate challenge for the expedition athlete and we are not going to water it down. However, we’re keen to ensure as many teams as possible have a fighting chance of getting to that finish line and that extra 24hrs can make all the difference. We still expect the fastest team to complete the event in three to four days.”

Photo Caption: Competitors in the inaugural Orion Health GODZone held in April this year.

Race entries will open tomorrow for the 2013 Orion Health GODZone. Go to www.godzoneadventure.com to register a team or to find out more information.