Adventure racers stand on podium

CLOSE CALL: WHS rowing buddies and coach Josh Barnett (left), Nathan Luff, Brodie Manson, Guy Thompson and Matthew Wright finished second in the college division of the Big Bang Adventure Race on Saturday 5 November.

Two contrasting Whanganui teams produced podiumn finishes at the gruelling 6th annual Big Bang Adventure Race at the weekend.

Tail End Charlie, a men's pair from Whanganui, Leif Campbell and Nick Payne crossed the line in third place overall and second in their division in a time of 3:21:18, while four close Whanganui High School rowing mates went close in the college grade.

The Year 13 foursome, Nathan Luff, Matthew Wright, Guy Thompson and Brodie Manson entered the college division of the 6th annual Big Bang Adventure Race in the Kapiti/Horowhenua area on Saturday where they finished a close second to Team Icebug from New Plymouth Boys High School.

While rowing is their forte, WHS PE teacher Josh Barnett helped them train fot e arduous adventure race that consists of running, biking and a water element and requires teams to navigate between checkpoints. Barnett, however, was not allowed to assist once the race began.

This year was the biggest event yet with over 340 participants and 105 teams. The teams were either two or four persons and could be male, female or a mix.

The race took part on private, DoC and council land near Paraparaumu and finished in QEII park.

The WHS team finished in 3.41.2. They were the second college team and 9th overall. Interestingly, the NPBHS Team Icebug finished second overall in 3.19.13.

By Iain Hyndman
Wanganui Chronicle 9/11/16