Akaroa Adventure
High profile athletes throughout the country are preparing to descend on Akaroa from 10-17 March as preparations for the action-packed adventure race GODZone ramp up in the region.
It’s the first time the non-stop seven-day expedition-style race, the largest of its kind globally and widely regarded as the best – has been held in the region with the eighth chapter attracting a significant number of teams with high profile multisport backgrounds.
Pre and post-race activities focused around the beautiful coastal township which will also play host to the event finish line. In true GODZone style, the location of the start line will remain secret until just before the race kicks off. The only hint given at this stage is that the start location will be a long way from Akaroa!
With 70 teams across three racing categories including the full course 600km Pure event and shorter formatted 500km Pursuit and Prime events, the field is expected to take anywhere between five and seven days to complete the journey.
The teams will navigate their own way around the course using a variety of multisport disciplines including mountain biking, trekking, kayaking and pack rafting.
“Competitors don’t know where or when they will receive the race maps but suffice to say there’s plenty of conjecture as to where it might go,” GODZone Race Director Adam Fairmaid says. “Canterbury is an incredibly diverse region with a lot of contrast from braided and meandering rivers to big, technical mountain ranges. It should be a spectacular race with some interesting twists and turns along the way.”
