Great Adventure Race Sparks Early Interest

August 9 2006: Several teams have already confirmed their entries for the first South Island Cure Kids Great Adventure Race, which will be held in the Queenstown region on March 3 2007, to raise funds for research into children’s life threatening illnesses.

The Cure Kids Great Adventure Race started in the Waitakere Ranges in 2004 and has raised $1.4m for research.

Cure Kids CEO Kaye Parker says that due to the success of the North Island event it was decided to run a South Island race and expand the series into an annual $1m fundraising event.

“We know this is a big ask but we have so many important research projects to fund in out attempt to find preventions and ultimately cures for children’s illnesses. The South Island and particularly Queenstown has always provided incredible support for Cure Kids and we hope that they will continue to back us to help us achieve this goal.”

AJ Hackett has confirmed it will enter two teams in the inaugural South Island race. Sofitel Queenstown and Outside Sports have also entered teams.

Outside Sports director John Knight says the Cure Kids Great Adventure race is an opportunity for people to compete in an exciting event and at the same time contribute to a worthwhile charity.

“Our company has many top multisporters but we plan to enter a team of people on our staff who are relatively new to adventure racing but are committed long term to our business. Everyone at Outside Sports will be involved in fundraising as part of the race and it will be an excellent team building exercise.”

Race Director Alan Nelson says there is interest as well from North Island teams keen to take on the challenge of new territory.

“It seems so appropriate to bring the Cure Kids event to Queenstown which is the home of adventure racing and I expect nothing less than a vigorous defence from southern teams.”

He says that from a course design perspective the Wakatipu terrain is exciting to work with and course planning is well underway.

The race is designed for teams of four, each with one member of the opposite sex. Each team has a four person support crew responsible for fundraising and support on race day.

The disciplines include running/trekking, mountain biking, traversing waterways, navigating and route finding. Training and skills seminars will be held early November in both Christchurch and Queenstown. The seminars will be run by Race Director Alan Nelson and well known multisporter and coach Eric Billoud of Earth-Fit.

Cure Kids South Island Funding Manager Josie Fitzgerald says a good sized field is expected for the first event.

“We are currently talking to a number of Queenstown and South Island companies about the race and are delighted to have the early support from three key Queenstown businesses. Others have also shown interest and we are confident of good numbers. I hope people who would like to know more about the event will make contact directly.”

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