Adventure Race team compete in Hillary Challenge national qualifier
Posted on June 16, 2025
Macleans College’s senior Adventure Race team recently took on the demanding six-hour Hillary Challenge national qualifier, held in Rotorua.
The event tested competitors with a mix of foot rogaines and mountain biking. Teams were required to stay together throughout the course, which stretched up to 20km on foot and 30km by bike. Despite being one of the less experienced teams in the field, Macleans College placed 16th out of 22 teams - a solid effort given the intensity of the competition.
Most of the Macleans College team members are in Year 11 and 12, making this an important opportunity to develop skills and gain valuable experience for future races. Along the way, they sharpened their bush navigation, improved their mountain biking technique, strengthened their teamwork and built endurance.
While the team hoped for a stronger finish, they returned with a clearer understanding of the physical and mental demands of adventure racing. That insight, along with the skills developed during the event, will prove invaluable in the years ahead.
Special thanks to Darren Ashmore and the Hillary Outdoors team for organising a challenging and rewarding event.
