Adventure Runs in the Family

Adventure racing returns to the spectacular landscapes of the South Island with the 19th edition of the Merrell Spring Challenge, hitting Glenorchy on Saturday, 20 September for the first time. Each year the event moves to a new location, and this year race directors Jodie and Nathan Fa’avae, with Nathan a seven-time Adventure Racing World Champion, are thrilled to bring the iconic women’s adventure race to one of New Zealand’s most epic backdrops.

Adventure racing is more than a profession for the Fa’avae family, it’s a lifestyle. This year, both of their daughters will join the action, racing in the 9-hour category as Team Pure Sports Nutrition (Tide (19), Jessie Fa’avae (22), and Kaia Jorgensen (21) from Christchurch).

The Merrell Spring Challenge features three main categories to suit all levels of adventure racers: 3-hour (beginner), 6-hour (intermediate), and 9-hour (advanced). Teams of three women, accompanied by support crew, will raft, mountain bike, hike, and orienteer through multiple stages across a course that is only revealed on Friday, 19 September. Teams know the order of stages, distances, and projected times, but the exact route is kept secret to add to the challenge. On race day, the course is open from 6am to midnight, giving competitors up to 18 hours to complete their adventure.

This year, 91 teams are competing in the 3-hour race, 146 teams in the 6-hour, and 31 teams in the 9-hour, with strong competition across all levels.

“The locals have been amazing,” says Jodie Fa’avae. “We’ve enjoyed all our trips here setting up the event, it’s such an epic part of the country, and the people are truly special.”

While every category promises fierce racing, the 9-hour event is where the elite racers gather. Team Racing Donkeys, Susie Wood, Eloise Fry, and Jane Orbell from Tasman, are chasing a third consecutive win, having dominated in 2023 and 2024. Orbell steps in for regular team member and Adventure Racing World Champion Sophie Hart, bringing her own wealth of experience to the team.

Challenging the defending champions is a strong field including:

• Wandering Wahines (Naomi Whitehead, Sally Josenhans, Rachel Boyce), veterans from Nelson and Marlborough
• Southern Traverse (Gwylfa Moore, Anna Murray, Sarah Dickie), Tasman veterans and 2024’s 2nd place veteran team
• MAD Mackenzie Mums (Kim Jordan, Karen Clarke, Isabel Clarke), 3rd in the 2024 veteran category

In the open 9-hour category, Pure Sports Nutrition, including the Fa’avae daughters and Kaia Jorgensen, are elite orienteers and no strangers to adventure racing, making them strong podium contenders.

The Super Veteran category is equally competitive. Adventure Before Dementia (Jenni Blyleven, Louise O’Connell, Anne Frankland) faces a tough challenge against the legendary Crazy, Mad and Fast team (Kate Rattray, Sheryl Fraser, Kate Anderson), setting the stage for an epic contest.

The Merrell Spring Challenge’s new Glenorchy home promises to become an enduring part of the event’s legacy, showcasing some of New Zealand’s most iconic terrain to teams and spectators alike.

Event Sponsors: B.effect, Buff, CamelBAK, Juliana, Merrell, Nelson Honey, Okarito Sandfly Repellent, Petzl, Pure Sports Nutrition, Real Meals, Roommate Cabins, Sea to Summit, Starborough Wines, Sweaty Betty, Tineli

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