Rangitikei Tough Kid in September

Action from the 2014 Rangitikei Tough Kid challenge. The year the Downs Group began their sponsorship.

The Downs Group in Marton has stayed on board with the district's favourite obstacle course event.

Now in its fifth year, The Downs Group Tough Kid challenge is taking place on Friday, September 23 at Ohingaiti's McIntyre Reserve with races for Year 3-8 school children.

Mangaweka School will again be partnering with Sport Whanganui to host the event, along with the many volunteers and community organisations helping on-site to run the event.

Entries are now open and school registration packs have gone out.

Since its inception in 2012, the Rangitikei edition of Tough Kid has grown from 270 participants in the inaugural event to now over 1000 competitors.

Downs has been principal naming rights sponsor since 2014 and has signed up for two more years.

Co-owner Sandra Gunn said they were passionate about supporting the district and community.

"The event has a real sense of good old-fashioned fun about it - and it's fantastic to see the young people challenging themselves and, at the same time, having so much fun!"

Sport Whanganui's regions sport adviser Marie Kinloch said they were grateful to Sandra and Robert Gunn for their invaluable support.

"It goes without saying that we're also very appreciative of the fact that schools, children, families and the wider Rangitikei community are continuing to get behind the event."