New Duathlon to be Held at Pukaha Mount Bruce

With support from an iconic Wairarapa owned business, the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre is opening up some of their backcountry to the public with a new duathlon event- The Breadcraft Wild Challenge at Pukaha.

The 10km back country trail run and 23km road cycle will be held on September 28th2014 and doubles as a fundraiser for the Centre’s forest restoration project. Pukaha Mount Bruce chairman Bob Francis says that Pukaha is delighted to receive support from Breadcraft Wairarapa Ltd for this inaugural fundraising event.

Pukaha Mount Bruce is a 20 minute drive north of Masterton and general manager Helen Tickner says the event will take participants through some of Wairarapa’s most gorgeous scenery.

“I recently walked the track which weaves through restored native bush packed with our native birds. It is a challenge but participants will be rewarded with the most incredible views,” says Helen. “The bike ride also takes you through amazing rural scenery, but the icing on the cake for people is knowing their hard efforts will benefit our forest restoration programme.”

The 10km trail run will begin at the Pukaha Mount Bruce Visitor Centre and follow the main visitor walking track for approximately 1.5 kilometres before turning into Braddicks Track, a back country tramping track weaving through restored native bush. After coming out onto Braddicks Farm in Mauriceville, runners will then follow a gravel road until the run/bike transition.

The 23km road cycle winds through rolling rural farmland with pretty views. It will take in West Road, South Road and Opaki-Kaiparoro Road before looping back to Pukaha Mount Bruce via State Highway 2.

Helen says Pukaha staff and volunteers will ensure that competitors’ families and supporters are treated to terrific hospitality while they wait for the competitors to finish. A free family pass to Pukaha will be given to all competitors.

The event is open to both individuals and teams. NB: due to the challenging nature of the run, under 16’s can participate as the cyclist in a team only– they are not permitted to do the trail run. Registrations of interest can be made at www.pukaha.org.nz or emailwildchallenge@pukaha.org.nz

DETAILS
What: Breadcraft Wild Challenge at Pukaha
When: September 28th 2014
Where: Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, SH2, Wairarapa. (Approximately 20 minute from north of Masterton and a 50 minute drive from Palmerston North).
Start time: 10am
Distance: 10km trail run NB: due to the challenging nature of the run, the individual course is only open to those over the age of 16 years.
23km road cycle.

Entries will open in mid-July with all profits going to the Pukaha forest restoration fund.

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