WHAT'S ON: Xrace in Whangarei for families

Families taking part in the "horse race" at last year's Xrace in Whangarei.

Adventure races that pit families against each other is back in Whangarei for its sixth season.

Xrace is an all family event where teams of two - a child, aged between 6 and 14 years old, and parent - compete in a range of fun events.

About 250 teams are expected to complete 10 different challenges when Xrace is held at Whangarei's Barge Park Showgrounds on February 16.

The teams race side by side against other families.

The challenges on average are 300m apart. These vary from mystery challenges to compulsory ones, with this year's compulsory challenge being a secret handshake.

Compulsory challenges are told to teams before the race, so the teams can practise together and bond before the event.

Xrace director Tamara Hermans said the event "is a real, authentic bonding experience" and a lot of fun.

Every race is different, with different challenges varying from mental to physical ones. Ms Hermans said the event builds self esteem and develops family bonds.

''A mum can do a marathon and a child can do a triathlon, but Xrace is the only event that brings the two together.

"Teams can choose their pace and go as slow or fast as they want, completing the course is the goal."

The Xrace is appropriate for the whole family, and has a separate race called Nippers for children under 6. The Nippers race starts 30 minutes before the main Xrace.

"This is what Xrace is all about. It is an authentic bonding experience, the day a mum gets to race side by side with her son or daughter."

This year's event is being held on Friday, February 16, at Barge Park Showgrounds, with the Nippers race from 5pm and the main race from 6pm.

Families of all fitness levels are welcome, as competition is not always the focus.
Families can still enter via the event website http://www.xrace.co.nz .