Day Two Of $10 Race To Cure Kids

Competition Builds On Day Two Of Accor Queenstown $10 Race To Cure Kids

October 4 2007: Teams in the 2007 Accor Queenstown $10 Race To Cure Kids jostled for position on the second day of the event today from Auckland to Queenstown,with the Silver Bullets husband and wife team of Anthony and Vanessa Ford of Auckland, just nudging out the other leaders in the field to arrive first into Christchurch.

The teams left Wellington after a challenge where they had to create an original painting of the event. Each team received resources based on their final placing on the first day from Auckland to Wellington.

“We received a six minute penalty because we obviously weren’t great painters,” says Anthony,” but we still managed to sneak in as today’s leader. We are having an incredible time and have entered the race because it was something we felt we would like to do because we have three healthy children under three.”

The runaway bride and groom team of Neil Robinson (Fats) and Natasha (Tarsh) Ihaia of Whakatane who were third into Wellington yesterday notched their way into second place today.

The team is entering the event for the second year and Tarsh says they are riding on a high after being at the ‘back of the pack’ last year.

“We are still in our bridal gear and getting lots of support. We are having so much fun.”

Last year’ winner Paul Forno and his race partner Richard Cassidy could only manage third today, but have signalled that the main challenge will be on tomorrow with teams racing for the finish line in Queenstown.

Teams were put to the test in Kaikoura where they had to wade into the sea to find a floating whale. The whale had a unique expression which they had to imitate to the challenge host before getting the green light to proceed.

The event has so far officially raised $320,000 which exceeds last year’s total of $315,000.

Teams have until mid-day tomorrow to raise their final amount in the competition for the 2007 Fundraising Champion.

“We are very excited about the amount that is being raised by the 23 teams involved in this year’s event,” says Cure Kids general manager Thelma French. “It will be used to help fund the $1.5m national screening programme into cardiac inherited diseases as well as other vital research projects for children’s life threatening illnesses.”

The teams leave Christchurch tomorrow (October 5) after a challenge and head to the finish line in Queenstown.

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