Mitre 10 Mega Tough Kids to tackle team events

Registrations open on October 16 for the 2017 Tough Kid challenge at Cooks Gardens in December.

Registrations open next week for Sport Whanganui's annual slip, slide, dive and climb at Cooks Gardens - the 7th Mitre 10 Mega Tough Kid event.

Packs have been sent directly to the region's schools to enter their Year 3-8 pupils in the obstacle course challenge, being held December 1 at Cooks Gardens.

The 2016 event was attended by nearly 1800 kids, up 200 from the year before, and Sport Whanganui will be confident of a similar turnout to take on the water slides, climbing frames, cargo net crawls and more.

There are individual races, team events, and the popular (for the kids) parent-teacher race.

"A positive change to this year's Tough Kid are the new obstacles and the event being water only," said the press release.

"This is an initiative is led by Healthy Families and Whanganui DHB developed to increase access to drinking water, an initiative Sport Whanganui is proud to have a strong partnership with."

Since 2011 when 519 kids took part at the first Tough Kid challenge, the event has grown to more than triple it numbers, but also ushered in the spinoff Rangitikei and Waimarino Tough Kid Challenges, while also being exported to four other regional sports trusts in the country.

"Sport Whanganui endeavour to keep the entry fee down in order for as many kids as possible from local schools to be involved," said Sport Whanganui's event co-ordinator Angela Watson.

"At just $3 per child the event is a fantastic, fun way for schools to wrap up the year."

Once again personnel from the NZ Army, police and fire brigade will be present to help make the obstacles as exciting as possible while also being safe.

Along with Mitre 10 Mega Whanganui, support comes from Whanganui District Council, Events & Venues Whanganui, Healthy Families, GF Event Caterers, 'Dub. Dee. See.' Committee and Hoskins Carriers.

Sport Whanganui are also looking for volunteers to assist in helping kids over and under obstacles on the day.

All those interested can visit http://www.sportwhanganui.co.nz/events-new or contact Watson on 06 349 2326, Angela@sportwhanganui.co.nz.