Southlanders part of GodZone adventure race revival
“It’s such an incredible event that allows teams to explore vast and often untouched areas of New Zealand’s backcountry and is truly aspirational for adventure racers worldwide.”
A group - including four Southlanders and All Black great Richie McCaw - have united to ensure the GodZone adventure race goes ahead again after a two-year hiatus.
GodZone - the world’s largest expedition race - was cancelled in 2024, due to a concession application being held up by the Department of Conservation.
The last event held was in Fiordland, Southland in 2023.
However, a new adventure racing charitable trust, led by high-profile sportsperson Richie McCaw, has been formed and on Monday they announced the return of the iconic eight-day event, sometime in the next 12 months.
Included in the new the group of Pure Adventure Charitable Trust trustees is Invercargill-based AWS Legal lawyer Damien Pine.
Pine has coached rugby at representative level and led Woodlands to multiple Galbraith Shield titles. The other Southlanders involved are adventure racers Chris Stewart and David (Ginge) Burnett.
Burnett was included in last year’s New Year’s Honous list for his work across multiple sports including with the Southland Multisport and Triathlon Club.
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GodZone moves around New Zealand, with each chapter held in a unique regional location. The race course spans approximately 550km to 650km and includes mandatory checkpoints along the route where teams stop and change disciplines.
McCaw’s good friend and New Zealand Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol, who hails from Stewart Island is also part of the new trust.
Other trustees are champion adventure racer Sophie Hart, GodZone race director Adam Fairmaid and triathlete Michele Frey are the others who have joined as trustees.
“Most of us have raced One NZ GodZone and got so much out of the event on a personal and sporting level that we wanted to see it return to continue the legacy,” trust spokesperson Rob Nichol said.
“It’s such an incredible event that allows teams to explore vast and often untouched areas of New Zealand’s backcountry and is truly aspirational for adventure racers worldwide.”
Pure Adventure Charitable Trust’s vision is to inspire and empower people to explore and engage in the outdoors and elevate the growth and prosperity of multisport and adventure racing through hosting and supporting world-class events.
McCaw has competed in four chapters of GodZone. He is front-footing the new Pure Adventure Charitable Trust alongside Nichol to see the event return to its glory days.
"One NZ GodZone represents the ultimate New Zealand adventure that, over a five-to-eight-day period, absolutely tests you both mentally and physically,” McCaw said.
“It's a gruelling and rewarding challenge – one of the toughest out there - where team dynamics are critical to everyone in your team crossing the finish line which is something I personally enjoy.
“One NZ GodZone has impacted my life in so many ways and continues to be an inspiration.”
Planning for the 12th GodZone is well underway, with the trust engaging with sponsors, regional councils and the Department of Conservation to support the event delivery.
One New Zealand has renewed its naming rights assisting to ensure the expedition adventure race goes ahead.
DOC Acting Deputy Director-General Policy and Regulatory Services Ewan Delany said it was fantastic GodZone was starting up again.
“We look forward to working with the Trust to ensure the event is planned and run in a way that protects our unique landscapes and ecosystems while highlighting some of Aotearoa’s special places,” Delany said.
Michele Frey is a former Southlander - so that's four!