February 25 2016

Volunteers “heart and soul” of Macpac Motatapu Off-Road Sporting Event

Over 150 volunteers – or “vollies” as they are fondly known - are needed for the annual Macpac Motatapu Off-Road Sporting Event to be held Saturday March 5 2016 starting at Glendhu Bay, Wanaka.

The course winds its way through the rugged Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe High Country Stations and is only open once a year for the Motatapu event, culminating in an exciting finish line experience in Arrowtown.

For the last 12 years volunteers have come from all walks of life and locations, with some even planning their annual holiday around the event just so they can volunteer their time.

Organisers are on the look-out for Aid Station marshals supporting athletes on course with refueling, distributing water and Pure Sports Nutrition drink.

Also needed are people for Aid Stations closer to the finish line in Arrowtown who head into course the morning of race day, course marshals around Arrowtown and the Crown Range, Wanaka Start Line, plus 4wd drivers and their vehicles to shuttle vollies onto course.

Volunteers receive a free Macpac T-shirt, lunch, cold Speight’s, fun times and a sense of pride helping the Queenstown Trails Trust raise funds for the development and maintenance of the magnificent trails in the region.

Macpac Motatapu Volunteer Manager Nicole Fairweather said ‘vollies’ were a “crucial part of the event”.

“The Macpac Motatapu is QTT’s biggest fund-raising event and there are some big plans for the future of trails in the district and the Motatapu goes a long way to achieving those goals,” she said.

“We couldn’t run the event without the help of our vollies. From start line to finish line and everything in-between, the vollies are a key component in ensuring the safety –and of course enjoyment of all our athletes,” said Ms Fairweather.

“The Motatapu vollies are more than just a safety crew though.”

“They are the people who cheer the athletes on, refuel their bodies, encourage them when they hit a low point and congratulate them as they accomplish their achievement. They are the heart and soul of the event."

“Overnight camping in the Motatapu Valley at an Aid Station is a unique opportunity and experience. The Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations are not open to the general public apart from race day, so it’s a truly special night of camping in New Zealand High Country,” said Ms Fairweather.

For the last two years, the Beggs family has taken over Aid Station 1 on the course, using the occasion as a chance to catch up with family and “give back” to competitors.

Graham Beggs, his wife Andrea, daughter, sister, brother (respective partners) and this year the family’s exchange student will head into camp on Friday, setting up tents.

“I’ve biked the Motatapu three times and my brother twice and we love the race. So a couple of years ago we decided to give back and volunteer. Since then it’s grown into an annual event and a great way for the family to catch up, as well as support the competitors,” said Mr Beggs.

“We love it as we very much feel part of the action. From the moment the first competitor comes through ,to the last, our job is to cheer every single one of them on”, he added.

“It’s a long day but very rewarding and great to see such amazing people taking part,”

For the last 11 years, Mt Aspiring College’s Hostel Students, who come from all over New Zealand to finish their last year of study in Wanaka, have taken part in the event.

More than 30 students volunteer and compete as part of the Hostel Outdoor Pursuits programme which also goes towards the students "Students in the Community" voluntary commitments.

Mount Aspiring College Hostel Manager Duncan Miles has mentored the group for the last 10 years to complete the 47km Mountain Bike Ride.

“When some of the students first arrive they haven’t spent much time on a bike, so the Motatapu provides them with an achievable goal, while also being challenging enough,” said Mr Miles.

Each year the students rise bright and early to donate their time and conduct race registration for the marathon, mountain bike and triathlon, before saddling up to compete themselves.

“It kills two birds with one stone. The students get fit during training, taking in the surrounds of Wanaka, then race an iconic course and give back to the community at the same time,” said Mr Miles.

Mr Miles himself has a long standing history with Motatapu, having raced the event himself more than 10 times.

“I’ve always been involved with the race even when it had alternate race starts at Arrowtown and Wanaka, it affords the students the opportunity to experience some great terrain first hand on land not normally open to the public,” said Mr Miles.

The competitors also recognise the special nature of Motatapu vollies as being slightly unique in the world of adventure sport and racing.

Current Motatapu women’s course record holder, Kate Fluker, believes the Motatapu vollies are “one-of-a-kind”.

“They are so different to volunteers at other events. They are so passionate, always cheering and clapping and the finish line is epic. It makes for a really fun and unique event,” said Ms Fluker.

To volunteer for the 2016 Macpac Motatapu Off-Road Sporting Event contact Nicole Fairweather on nfairweather@lagardere-unlimited.co.nz. Multiple roles are still available.

ENDS

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