More step up for Tough Kid challenge

HARD YARDS: The introduction of the Waimarino Tough Kid competition opens the floodgates for another 300 primary school kids to give their all.PHOTO/FILE A-260914WCSMKIDS3

Sport Whanganui has added yet another newcomer to the growing Tough Kid phenomenon.

The Waimarino Tough Kid has been created especially for school children in the Waimarino district, bringing the concept closer to regional schools and opening the opportunity up to even more rural students.

The Waimarino Tough Kid is the third edition to Sport Whanganui's series. The annual children's obstacle challenge is currently held at Wanganui's Cooks Gardens, and at McIntyre Reserve in the Rangitikei. Now, the Ruapehu version will take place at the Raetihi Showgrounds on Friday, July 3, starting at 10.45am. Entries are now open.

Sport Whanganui's Tough Kid events have a solid reputation as being the best school day out of the year.

From the original concept at Cooks Gardens several years ago, this signature primary school event has grown to incorporate the Mitre 10 Mega Tough Kid in Wanganui (with around 28 schools involved) and the Downs Group Rangitikei Tough Kid, which was introduced to give regional schools an event of their own, in their own back yard. In 2015 the Wanganui and Rangitikei events will run for a fifth and fourth year respectively.

The fun and challenging Tough Kid courses are created for children aged from Year 3 to Year 8. With a nominal entry fee, the emphasis is on participation and fun, and introducing kids to the thrill of obstacle racing. Raetihi Primary School will host the Ruapehu event in partnership with Sport Whanganui.

Teacher in Charge Mel Booth is looking forward to the occasion.

"We are super excited to been teaming up with Sport Whanganui for this fantastic event. It will be great to see the children push their own physical and mental boundaries, and have a huge amount of fun at the same time. We look forward to welcoming students and families, from our surrounding schools, to the awesome town of Raetihi."

Some schools from the Ruapehu district have already had a taster of the excitement from previous participation in the Rangitikei event.

The Downs Group Rangitikei Tough Kid is now starting to feel the pressure of the huge numbers keen to take part.

The immense popularity of the Rangitikei event was the impetus for the introduction of a third challenge. Now, the Waimarino Tough Kid will service the Ruapehu area specifically, including schools from Ohakune, National Park, Raetihi and Taumarunui.

Around 300 kids are expected at the Raetihi Showgrounds for the July 3 spectacle, with 21 schools invited.