Mud Rookies take on the Spartan Beast

MEDIA RELEASE

September 12, 2014

Mud Rookies take on the Spartan Beast.

Nelson’s first Obstacle Racing Club, “Wairua Mud Rookies”, have returned triumphant from Brisbane, following their encounter with the “Spartan Beast”.

Eight club members took part in the gruelling 21 kilometre course, consisting of 35 obstacles designed to test body strength and endurance. The team, one of just a handful participating from New Zealand, finished in fifteenth place out of 93 teams.

There were also achievements within individual age groups, with Wairua Mud Rookies, Phil Alloway finishing fourth in his age group, Ilisa Higgins and Karly Larking finishing 24th and 25th respectively in their age groups and Daryn Johnson finishing 24th in his age group (in which there were over 1000 competitors).

Mr Greg Witika, club president, says that whilst the challenge was tough and competitive there was still a spirit of camaraderie that is often the driving force within the sport, he says, “I battled with cramps for the last 13 kilometres, and also managed to get myself hooked up on barbed wire, but other racers stopped to help me and encouraged me to keep going.”

Recent participation in the Tough Mudder (Auckland) and now the Spartan Beast (Brisbane) has encouraged the team’s committee to explore opportunities to bring an obstacle race to Nelson. Wairua Mud Rookies are currently in talks with third parties to secure a suitable location and local backing. Mr Witika says, “Obstacle racing has a growing future here in New Zealand, and we believe Nelson can be a part of that future.”

The next event on the club’s calendar is 22nd November, the Zombie Run in Christchurch. Mrs Sharron Martin, club treasurer, describes this as a fun 5km course, the event’s website calls it “the scariest run ever, an interactive apocalyptic run through a zombie infested quarantine area.”

The Wairua Mud Rookies Obstacle Racing Club is based out of Wairua Body Coaching Systems, the only facility in the upper South Island that caters for obstacle course racing. The club trains weekly utilising local running trails with gates, fences and hills as obstacles. They are actively seeking new members. Anybody interested in joining the club should contact Sharron Martin on 027 693 4618.

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