Adventure racing: New location and name for this year's event

CHALLENGE: Teams approach the finish line of The Moa Hunt after a tough but enjoyable trek.

Last year's highly successful adventure racing event in Northland makes a return with a new location and new name.

Operation Ruru will be centred on farmland, native bush and forestry out the back of Whareora on October 29, following the success of The Moa Hunt.

Organisers Graeme Ewenson and Barry Ruddell have been working to make the event a success.

Ewenson said the event tests a variety of skills.

"Operation Ruru combines adventure racing, multisport, run trekking, mountain biking and orienteering," he said.

"It's a chance to showcase the country, and will be a great day out with a bit of a challenge."

The format sees three and six-hour events. These combines compulsory challenges and an elective third stage.

Ewenson said there was enough there for both novices and experts to have a good time.

"The compulsory parts are relatively simple to follow and are not too arduous," he said.

"Whether you take on stage three is up to the racer. It's offers bonus points and will be fun and challenging for advanced teams, while giving beginner teams a chance to test their mettle."

While not the greatest spectator sport, people are welcome to come along.

OUT OF THE DARK: A team emerges from an underground journey in the Abby Caves during last year's Moa Hunt adventure racing event.

The location, according to Ewenson, will be released closer to the date of the event.

"We don't give away the exact details until a few days before the event as we don't want people doing reconnaissance of the course as navigation is an important facet of the event," he said.

"It's definitely more of a participation event, but people can feel free to come to try to catch the action."

Early indications for a high number of competitors are good.

Ewenson said the number of entries spike closer to the day.

He also said they had been looking to improve the experience for those competing.
"We will be running a navigation seminar in October to help people learn, which has gained lots of interest," Ewenson said.

"Last year a lot of competitors got lost using maps and compasses. People enjoyed the challenge but they want to get better at it."

A total of $500 from the proceeds of last year's event went to a mountain biking club.

The takings from this year's event will help benefit Matakohe-Limestone Island to help continue conservation work.

• To register, head to the Northland Adventure Racing site.