The struggle was definitely the blessing for the Sports Muriwhenua team who finished the Far Mazing Race held in pouring rain along 90 Mile Beach earlier this month in fourth place overall.
However, it all just only served to make the free sausage sizzle, drinks, hot Milo and fruit which was served up at the finish line all the tastier, noted team leader Shane Cooper. One of eight teams made up of eight to 10 individuals each to take on the unique military-styled challenges offered in the inaugural Far Mazing Race, Cooper said Sport Muriwhenua - which also featured Robyn Barraclough, Louisa Cooper, Shona Stephens, Hinerangi Waikai, Stacee Rehupo Robson, Jenny James, Lorna Denmead and True Waikai - eventually completed the series of military/ crossfit-styled tasks in 4 hours and 8 seconds; just on 31 minutes behind the first team in, Team Infinite.
"True to form the rain poured, our backpacks got hammered, the challenges came but we fought through," said Cooper. "[All of us in] Sport Muriwhenua found this to be a great team-building exercise and to work on each other's strengths to complete each task, the motto was, 'We start together and finish together and no one gets left behind!'
"We could all honestly say that we attend different events individually which leads us to become self-focused but Saturday was a great opportunity to slow down and reconnect with fellow team mates as one, and this was a real delight," he said, adding thanks on behalf of his teammates to the organisers for what was a truly magnificent day and a fantastic event.
He also acknowledged Waa Wareaiti for coming up with the concept and the organisers from he No64 (Kaitaia) Squadron along with help from volunteers, family and fellow comrades.
