Charity challenge to boost Motu event

The Motu Challenge is adding a new category to the already wide range of events available on the day which should entice more teams to enter by giving them the opportunity to do it for someone else. That’s because the new category is focused on doing good will be open to teams that wish to support a service or charity of their choice.

Event organiser Rosalie Teddy hopes that more local teams will enter as a result of offering a cash reward and a trophy for the service that enters the most people and the fastest team. “There are many good causes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and elsewhere which could do with a boost – and there are many solid citizens who we believe would be keen to take part in this iconic event for the benefit of those causes,” she says.

Race manager Mike van der Boom points out that the event is growing after a few years of reduced turnouts, but notes that the number of local teams taking part is still low. ‘We’ve have plenty of entries in the individual categories, but we definitely need a few more teams. With a Service and Charity competition, we’re providing another excellent reason to get involved.”

And, he says, while gruelling, the event is achievable even by those of moderate fitness, particularly if participating as part of a team.

The event is on track for a boost in numbers this year, confirms race director Marty Madsen, who puts that down to the innovation which has gone into the variety of options on offer. “We now have two duathlon distances for adults and a kid’s duathlon which will run in unison with the adult’s event. The Riverlock Motu 160 mountain bike and road cycle event continues to grow; this year, we have seen a spike in entries, probably as a result of a top spot prize supplied by Riverlock and Hickeys Sportworld.”

The prize Madsen refers to is a Scott Spark 760 Dual Suspension mountain bike valued at $3,200. This prize will be drawn from all participants in the Riverlock Motu 160 event at the Prize Giving.

The Motu Challenge multisport event and the Riverlock Motu 160 cycling events are scheduled for 8 October 2016. To find out more about the event visit www.motuchallenge.co.nz