Orokonui launches inaugural Challenge

Orokonui launches inaugural Challenge

Orokonui’s first Challenge is nearly booked out. The Challenge is in two parts with the first an 11km walk on Saturday 22 April. This has had more than 130 entrants. Chris Baillie, Challenge director, says “the walk is not a race and we’ll be encouraging people to take their time and enjoy the forest, estuary and wildlife”. The second part is a challenging and beautiful 18.5km cross-country race on Sunday 30 April. The run route passes through scenic beach, forest and estuary and the Ecosanctuary and there’s an overall climb of 370m. Registrations for this are currently around 75 runners and will be capped at 100. The aim of the Challenge is to bring new people to the Ecosanctuary to help spread the conservation message and to raise funds for the conservation of Orokonui’s kaka and takahe, both of which need specialised food pellets.

Cutlers Real Estate has sponsored the event and given organisers the confidence to go ahead, with other businesses kindly sponsoring prizes. The Ecosanctuary is grateful for the help of a large team of volunteers. It is hoped that the Challenge will become an annual event.

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