Experienced multisport endurance athlete Kath Kelly, an artificial insemination technician focusing on cows and deer, joined up with fellow Millers Flat resident, sheep and beef farmer Austin Garden, to win the mixed grade section at the Defiance endurance event in Wanaka.
The Red Bull event involved running, mountain biking, kayaking and even having to throw a sword at some hay bales.
Kelly (46), who has competed in the Coast to Coast and many mountain bike events, said it was fun competing with a guy for once and in a team.
''We had a tow rope connected between us a lot of the time so we had to work really well as a team. And I enjoyed working with a male. Usually when I do a team in one of these things it is with a female. But a male makes you go a little faster.''
The rules of the race had team-mates stay close to each other.
She said winning was great and showed Millers Flat could hold its own.
The trio covered the course in a shade more than 14hr 30min.
Garden (42), a father of four children, had not done any multi-day events but had competed in triathlons.
''It was pretty tough. On that second day, climbing up Mt Alpha - it was a long climb,'' Garden said.
''But I was always going to make it. You've got to keep going ... a lot of it was about the mental side. A real team event. You just had to work as a team, help each other along the way.''
Garden said Millers Flat was a great place to train with the hills, lakes and the Clutha River for kayaking.
He was not sure what was next on the racing agenda, having to check with his wife first.
