Stepping up to the Challenge
Our SES team conquers the course
After pushing their limits across 30 kilometres of a rugged North Canterbury landscape our SES team arrived at the finish line.
The Spring Challenge has become a bit of a legendary event in the adventure-racing world since first starting in 2007. Taking place at different locations around New Zealand each year, it’s not only a massive field but also a highly competitive one.
In 2020 the southern Spring Challenge was held in the Waimakariri area. Here 465 teams of three women each raced towards the Waimak river mouth using a combination of rafting, biking, hiking and orienteering.
For SES team members Rebecca Stack, Marie Taylor and Carolyn Rickard the event marked a culmination of their efforts in training.
Competing as the (entirely brand-appropriate) EYECU team, the three women did incredibly well navigating the twists and turns of the river and exploring the surrounding Bottle Lake Forest and Spencer Park.
“As well as having a fantastic day and not getting lost, thanks to super navigator Marie, we managed to get 2nd in our division!” says Rebecca.
Logistical and motivational support (and plenty of snacks) was crucial to their efforts. Carolyn’s husband Bruce and Rebecca’s daughter Hannah made up the fabulous support crew.
Rebecca says the team is now “already planning our training for next years event”. SES is proud of their efforts in 2020 and now looking forward to the next big race.
If you’re thinking about joining them with your own team (or perhaps turning up to cheer them on) the 2021 Spring Challenge will be held in Greymouth. We’re sure it will be a cracker!