Adventure racing widens appeal

Initiatives in this year's Macpac 24 Hours of Southern Traverse were designed to encourage the growth of adventure racing in New Zealand, race director Geoff Hunt said.

The aim of the sponsors - MacPac and Southern Traverse Ltd - was to make adventure racing more accessible for a wider group of people and contribute to the expansion of the sport, he said.

With that in mind, there would be an "incentive" for younger athletes to enter next month's race, with 10 complimentary entries available to under-23 adventure racing teams.

There would also be a separate relay-style adventure challenge within the main team event to attract "weekend warriors".

"Adventure racing is an exciting sport and one of the things we want to do is ensure that younger people are able to compete with some of the older, professional athletes, who can act as mentors and role models," Mr Hunt said.

The Southern Traverse at Hanmer Springs in April attracted the under-23 Onemultisport.com team, which includes Dougal Allan, Mike Walker, Mattie Graham and Emmah Ussher.

That team made "a real impression" and signalled it would be among the podium finishers in the future, he said.

"These are the sort of young athletes we need to see competing regularly."

The under-23 teams would comprise four members, with at least one woman athlete, or two-member teams.

"We certainly expect to see quite a few young people put their hands up and get the opportunity for free entry into this challenging race.

"But we are also keen to encourage other people to have a fun, adventure race experience.

"We are targeting people who compete in triathlons, multisport and short adventure races and those who like to participate in teams."

Additionally, the "eight-hour adventure challenge", which would include kayaking, mountain biking and running or trekking, would be held in the Glenorchy area.

"The new race should appeal to people who currently compete in events like our Peak to Peak, and who are keen to try a new format.

"It allows a group of friends who like the relay format to get together and complete an individual leg each, and at the same time get a taste of adventure racing.

"This race doesn't need a support crew, which is also a plus."

The 24 Hours of Southern Traverse will be held for the third time on November 15 and 16, covering 100km of Wakatipu back country, with the course remaining secret until the last minute.

Beginning at midnight on November 15, the race involves trekking, navigation, mountain biking and kayaking.

It is open to teams of four in the main category and two-person teams, with everyone in the team performing each discipline.

"The course is very exciting this year and is designed not only to test teams, but also to allow them to have fun and enjoy the fantastic scenery.

"They will need support crews, and the fastest team should finish the course in 15 hours and the slowest in 24 hours," Mr Hunt said.