Entries for the Maxis Projects 6+6 Adventure Race open February 1.
Despite the 2020 edition being just the third running of the Sandy Point-based event, the 6+6 has quickly become a much-anticipated date on the local events calendar.
Last year nearly 40 teams took part, with the Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club event selling out within a week of entries opening.
This year’s race will be held on April 25 and 26.
Maxis Projects managing director Nick Hamlin helped establish the event along with Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club president Ginge Burnett.
“Ginge and I initially did a lot of talking about the format of the race,” Hamlin said.
“We sort of took the best bits out of all the races we’ve done between him and I. We wanted to make it all about the competitor, and not about who won. It’s about being out there in a team environment and achieving something you might never have done before. We also wanted to keep it cost effective, so you don’t have to have your own kayak, road bike or support crew.”
The format involves a two-day race, with stages lasting up to six hours on each day. Teams camp overnight at Teretonga Park. Disciplines include trekking, kayaking and mountain biking and the course is kept secret until the eve of the race.
Hamlin said the event was a good fit with Maxis Projects, and many of his clients were involved in mountainbiking and other active pursuits.
Thanks to the work he does with the Southland District Council, he’s convinced three teams from there to enter this year’s race.
Hamlin said it was difficult to imagine a better part of the country to run this entry-level event than around Sandy Point.
Good relationships with the Southland Sports Car Club meant Teretonga was the ideal base for the event, while Burnett also had good relationships with farmers and other landowners in the southern area.
“It’s got great bang for buck. We can basically run an entire event on the lower coast without crossing a main road.”
As usual, Burnett has been tight-lipped about the course details for this year’s event, with a few teasers put out on Facebook only adding to the mystery.
WHAT: Maxis Projects 6+6 Adventure Race
ENTRIES OPEN: February 1
EVENT DATE: April 25 and 26
WHERE: Teretonga Park
For more: http://www.southlandtriclub.co.nz/Events-Apr-Sep/66-Maxis-Projects-Adventure-Race