Latest News

The PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust has extended its sponsored community team entry initiative for One NZ GODZONE Chapter 13, following its introduction last year.

Six New Zealand community-based adventure racing events have been selected to receive a sponsored One NZ GODZONE team entry in the Pursuit category of the race. They include Hillary Challenge, Kaikōura Adventure Race, Rangitikei Adventure Race, Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club, Spring Challenge and Coast to Coast.

One NZ GODZONE, the world’s largest expedition-length adventure race will be held in the Aoraki/Mt Cook – Mackenzie district from February 25 to March 5, 2027, with more than 180 competitors from around the world taking on the eight-day non-stop event.

“Our goal with these community partnership entries is to create genuine pathways for new participants, particularly younger sportspeople, into adventure racing at this level,” says PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trustee Rob Nichol.

“Race organisers from each selected event will choose the team that represents their community at GODZONE, while encouraging key people within their organisations to mentor and support the team on its journey to Chapter 13.”

The initiative recognises New Zealand’s significant legacy in adventure racing. The country is widely regarded as the birthplace of modern expedition adventure racing after Frenchman Gérard Fusil staged the inaugural Grand Traverse here in 1989, inspiring a worldwide following.

Expedition adventure racing is a gruelling, multi-day endurance challenge covering long distances across remote and often unforgiving wilderness. Unlike traditional sporting events, it relies on co-ed team dynamics, with four-person teams (including at least one female) navigating challenging terrain using only maps, compasses and their own skills.

“The growth that comes from competing at GODZONE is truly remarkable,” says Nichol. “We hope to provide a meaningful opportunity for selected teams to proudly race under the names of their community adventure racing events.”

Hillary Outdoors Events Manager Darren Ashmore says they are stoked with the opportunity to have a team represent them at GODZONE.

“We are really keen to encourage our Hillary Challenge Alumni to get involved. Many past participants of our Get2Go and Hillary Challenge youth events have gone on to do GODZONE, including Kaikōura and Motueka High youth teams plus others at Chapter 12. Our events are great pathways into multiday adventure racing.”

Last year’s GODZONE Chapter 12 in Marlborough provided an encouraging start for the community partnership initiative. Nichol says the standout achievement was the Kaikōura Under 20 team, which won the Pursuit category in its first GODZONE and first multi-day expedition-length race.
“We were thrilled with the first-round outcome. It attracted an incredible group of enthusiastic teams, all of whom benefited from the opportunity to experience racing at GODZONE. The Kaikōura team was an exceptional example demonstrating maturity, composure and skill well beyond their years, reinforcing the value of giving emerging athletes opportunities to compete at this level.”
Nichol says the Trust hopes to build on last year’s success by creating lasting connections between established adventure racing organisations and the next generation of competitors.
“This is more than just a sponsorship. It’s a collaborative effort to grow adventure racing in New Zealand from the ground up. By bringing communities, organisations and emerging athletes together, we want to help create a stronger and more inclusive future for the sport in Aotearoa.”
The PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust’s initiative has four key goals:
• Strengthen connections across New Zealand’s adventure racing community
• Encourage mentorship for emerging athletes
• Promote youth participation and development pathways
• Broaden the sport’s reach across ages, skill levels and regions

QUICK FACTS
• Event: One NZ GODZONE Chapter 13
• Dates: February 25 – March 5, 2027
• Location: Aoraki/Mt Cook – Mackenzie District, South Island, New Zealand
• Registration: Twizel – official event welcome and registration venue
• Course: More than 600km, with the route kept secret until the race begins
• Live Coverage: www.godzoneadventure.com