January 21, 2015

Return to the Pararaha Gorge

By

Theta

The first group training session for 2015 took Alan, Dave and Adrian back to an old favourite, where we had our first ever training session back in 2012.

Starting at Alan's house in Karekare we were immediately off track through the bush and climbing a hill - perfect replication of the conditions encountered on the CureKids Great Adventure Race. After stopping half-way up for a map and compass lesson we were soon out of the bush for fantastic views over Karekare beach and waterfall. Back down to sea level for a run along the beach and into the campsite at the base of the Pararaha Valley.

Then the fun stuff as we leave the track and follow the stream - once more the best race simulation conditions. Highlights of the stream bash are climbing over the huge log jam still there from the kauri logging days of the 1900's and the two compulsory swims in the Pararaha Gorge. Out of stream is the steep climb to the top of Zion hill before the grand finale of a cool run back down to finish at sea level. All in all a great start to the training for 2015.

Post by Alan Moore, who leads our Cure Kids Great Adventure Race team.