Frucor Beverages Dominate 2005 Cure Kids Race

Frucor Beverages Dominate 2005 Cure Kids Great Adventure Race

April 8 2005: Frucor Beverages Flintstones dominated the 2005 Cure Kids Great Adventure Race in the Waitakere Ranges near Auckland toda,y proving too powerful for the rest of the 35 strong field, to win the 43km race in 6 hours 0.51secs.

The team of Gerry Lynch, Scott Johnson, Glen McCracken and Emily O’Leary led from the outset, and although their company team mates Mizone Muppets, raced neck and neck with them for much of the course, they broke away during the mountain biking section.

Gerry Lynch was a member of the winning Cadbury Moro team last year and was considered Frucor Flintstones secret weapon.

“It was a real team effort and it was tremendous course,” he says.”Everyone was very committed to competing in the race.”

Mizone Muppets finished second in 6 hours 26.50, but went under strong pressure from Cadbury Moro, who closed the gap on the final section to finish third in 6.35.48.

The race began Karekare Beach with a run/trek via Pararaha Valley, Cowan Stream Waterfall and White Stream Dam site to Huia Museum Beach.

A coasteering section where competitors were forced to either swim, wade waist deep in water or make their way through mud and slush depending on the tide, proved challenging. It finished at Huia Beach reserve where the transition to mountain bikes was made.

The mountain bike ride which was an opportunity for stronger teams to make up ground finished at Whatipu. The final run trek to the finish line at Karekare was via Ninepin Rock and Tunnel Point.

The race was held for the first time last year on a course based at Piha. Race director Alan Nelson admitted this year the course was significantly tougher.

“We raised the bar this year and those competitors who entered last year will say it was a lot more remote and there was a lot more off road terrain. But there were also some spectacular gorges and waterfalls.”

He says teams with good navigational skills had an advantage.

“Those teams who trained in the area knew what to expect.”

Mr Nelson was impressed with the preparation of many of the athletes.

“After the first trek/ run and coasteering sections many of the teams arrived at Huia Beach still looking really strong. They were raring to get on their mountainbikes.It was good to see.”

Cure Kids entered a team this year headed by the Chair of Child Health Research at Otago University ,Professor Stephen Robertson. The team finished 11th and Professor Robertson says it was a fantastic course.

“It was good to be competing alongside the companies who had raised so much money for our vital research.”

A cheque for $440,000 was presented to Cure Kids and CEO Kaye Parker says the combined effort of the 20 companies who supported the event was quite outstanding.

“The money that has been raised has been quite incredible. This event is all about team building and bonding and we have seen general managers working on support crews for their staff out in the field. It has been hugely successful on all levels.”

In addition to the team’s entry fees individual companies fundraised between $10,000 and $60,000 extra for the charity as part of the event.

“Many of the teams have gone the extra mile and fundraised a lot more money than we ever expected,” says Ms Parker. “We are extremely fortunate to get their support.”

Ms Parker also paid tribute to Search and Rescue , police and ambulance staff for their commitment to ensuring the safe operation of the race.

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