Action from last year's Downs Group Rangitikei Tough Kid Challenge. PHOTO/FILE
Action from last year's Downs Group Rangitikei Tough Kid Challenge. PHOTO/FILE
Friday will be the day we see just how tough they breed them in the country.
School children across the Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts are gearing up for the third annual Downs Group Rangitikei Tough Kid Challenge - a big obstacle-course race held at Ohingaiti's McIntyre Reserve.
Sport Wanganui spokeswomanKaren Hughes said this year's races, which were created especially for Rangitikei and Ruapehu primary students, had attracted nearly 800 entrants from 23 schools.
"Now gaining a reputation as the best school day out, the fun and challenging course is designed for children in classes Years 3-8, and will include the popular water slide, inflatable running, tyre climbs, hay bales and some exciting new obstacles not seen before."
Mangaweka Primary School is co-hosting the event with Sport Wanganui, with some slight course changes to keep things fresh from last year, as well as the ever-popular (for the kids anyway) parent-teacher race.
Also new in 2014 will be the chance for the students to vie for a spot on the team that represents Wanganui in the inaugural Mitre 10 Mega Regional Tough Kid competition on December 12, when they will take on squads from Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, and Taranaki. That Wanganui team will be selected from Friday's races as well as the Wanganui Tough Kid Challenge at Cooks Gardens on October 31.
The Rangitikei challenge will start with the schools arrival in Ohingaiti at 10am on Friday, with the first race at 10.45am.
