There was mud, water and finally smiling faces - as entrants crossed the finish line after a combined 20km of running and biking yesterday.
A record 430 contestants competed in the cross between urban adventure race and TV show The Amazing Race set in Hastings, doubling the number partaking in any previous event.
The third annual NOW Bay Urban Adventure Race [BUAR] was based out of Hawke's Bay Showgrounds and saw people stopping off at Splash Planet, Hawke's Bay Racecourse and Cornwall Park - where they were challenged to run through the duck pond.
That was just the 10km walk or run segment - then came a 10km bike to Clive utilising the pathways, where organisers threw in a CrossFit component for good measure.
It's a fundraiser for Taradale Primary School but also gives exercise devotees something to aim for says BUAR committee member Maxine Hooker.
"I think the 10km run/walk tested a lot of people by the look on some of their faces, it's really for anybody with a reasonable level of fitness - it is a lot of fun.
"The committee meets monthly, it's all top secret ... we design and set the course there is hard work but it's all worth it when you see people smiling as they cross the finish line."
This year's event made about $12,000 to go toward creating an outdoor learning environment at Taradale Primary.
For Ms Hooker it marked another milestone, this will be her last organising the event - she hands the reigns over after two years.
- Official results unavailable at time of publishing.