Community
Invercargill is gearing up for the PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge this Saturday, March 21, but the excitement has already begun with a lively warm-up ride through the city.
On Friday the 13th, 59 scooters — along with one impressive 5 seater motorbike with Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell on board— completed a warm-up circuit from the Grace Street building site in South City to Invercargill Central. The colourful convoy travelled through town before gathering on the Level 4 car park at Invercargill Central, where the scooters were put on display for the public.
The ride gave participants a chance to show off their machines while building excitement for the main event, which will see riders tackle a much bigger challenge for charity.
The weather during the warm-up was a little rough at times — a fitting preview of Southland’s famously unpredictable conditions. Riders experienced a taste of “four seasons in one day”, something they will likely encounter again during the endurance ride.
The main PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge this Saturday 21 March will begin at Teretonga Park Raceway, with riders setting off on a demanding 194 kilometre journey along the rugged southern coastline before finishing in Te Anau.
The challenge is designed to be tough. Organisers describe it as the coldest, longest, hardest and most gruelling test of endurance possible on a city scooter — all in the name of raising funds and awareness for charity.
Co-organiser Tash Clay said after months of planning its' all coming together and looking forward this Saturday.
This year the ride is supporting the Grace Street Project, a community-led initiative aimed at addressing some of the key challenges faced in south Invercargill. The project seeks to create a multi-purpose community hub to provide opportunities for learning, support and social connection in an area facing some of the highest levels of deprivation and youth exclusion in New Zealand.
The PlaceMakers Scooter Challenge has grown into a major community fundraising event. Now in its ninth year, the challenge has raised more than half a million dollars for charities, with more than $50,000 already raised this year alone.
Saturday’s ride will see participants depart Teretonga Park at 8.30am before travelling through Orepuki and Tuatapere, regrouping at Monowai before the final push to Te Anau.
While the challenge is demanding, organisers say it’s not about who finishes first. Instead, it’s about camaraderie, community spirit and supporting a cause that will make a real difference in Southland.
After Friday night’s warm-up ride whet the appetite, all eyes are now on Saturday’s big challenge — an epic journey through the elements for a cause that matters.