Years of watching her mum compete in the Spring Challenge adventure race prompted Abbey Franklin (16), of Nelson, to follow in her mum's cycling, running, navigating and rafting footsteps.
Abbey competed in the annual challenge near Queenstown on Saturday with her cousins Georgina and Beatrice Fulton (both 17), of Christchurch, to win the schools section of the women's race.
Saturday's race was the seventh Spring Challenge for Penny-Sue Franklin, Abbey's mother, who said the highlight was giving her daughter a high five when their races crossed over. Abbey had been part of her support crew for years.
Abbey's team, Team Ajax, won the schools section while her mother's team, Team Topzone, came first in the 10-hour veteran section.
''I keep coming back because it's the unknown adventure - you don't know the course until the night before,'' Mrs Franklin said.
She added the fact she could experience the adventure with friends made it even more exciting.
Her team this year comprised the same members as last year.
Originally from Dunedin, Mrs Franklin said as a child she would holiday in Queenstown and she had enjoyed returning to the resort, as did her parents, who supported her in the race.
Abbey and her cousins had already decided they would be competing next year, having become hooked like Mrs Franklin.
