South Waikato, home of the WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS ® us on facebook Issue 24: Winter 2015 True grit in The Generator Waikato River Trails very own multi-sport Mighty River Power Hydro Generation The longest category, The Generator event, which debuted this year, will be Manager Gavin Williamson is right behind FULL (55.5km) multisport event will be a back again next year. The Generator will the event held on, and around, the scenic solid day out for individuals and a great be held next year, on Saturday April 16, Waikato River Trails. The race concept, the option for teams. Shorter categories, The the WRT Trust has recently confirmed. distances, and the “awesome” location Generator TRI (49.5km) & The Generator combine to make it an appealing event DUO (21.5km) are also options. This year’s inaugural event attracted more on the multi-sport calendar, he says. than 220 competitors despite torrential The Generator FULL involves a 6km rain on the day. True grit was evident as The event was made possible thanks kayak, 28km run, 12km mountain bike, keen competitors battled it out kayaking, to support from a committed family of and a 4.5km solo/team run and can be road and mountain biking and trail sponsors - Sport Waikato, major sponsor tackled as an individual event, or as a running. Mighty River Power, and principal sponsor two, three, or four person team. South Waikato District Council. However, the bad weather did little to Glyn says thanks also needs to go to Generator TRI comprises a 28km road dampen enthusiasm, with many describing Rhubarb Café owner Bryan Samuels, bike, 5km run, 12km mountain bike and the event as “something special,” WRT Gilly Alexander from Sport Waikato and 4.5km solo/team run. The maximum general manager Glyn Wooller says. local cycling guru Jim McMurray for their number of team members for this event valued contribution to the event concept. is three. One of those enthusiasts was The Generator FULL winner Sam Durrant, from For those thinking of tackling The Generator DUO, with its maximum Tauranga. “This event has the potential to Generator for the first time next year, number of two team members, has become a major event on New Zealand’s Glyn is happy to assure there is a distance competitors tackling a 5km run, 12km multisport calendar," Sam says. “I will be to accommodate all levels of fitness, mountain bike and 4.5km solo/team run. back next time, for sure, as I want to defend adventure and enthusiasm. my title. Mind you, even if I hadn’t won, I Mighty River Power, opens the gates to would still be going back for more.” “For those looking for the ultimate Arapuni Spillway to allow access for the challenge, The Generator FULL will make day. All the Generator events culminate Glyn says feedback indicates The an honest man, woman or team of you. in a 4.5km run incorporating this area, Generator is well suited to beginner multi- We also have on offer The Generator which is not normally open to the public. sporters and teams as each component of TRI and The Generator DUO - also for Members of each team get to band the event is neither too long nor arduous. individuals and teams,” Glyn says. together to run this final leg together. www.waikatorivertrails.com Spreading word about wonders of the Trails Get your entries in ... Registrations have opened for the highly popular Taniwha event, which will this year be held on November 7. The event, which traditionally attracts about 1,000 competitors, has secured its place on the sporting calendar as a fixture not to be missed. Waikato River Trails general manager Glyn Wooller says that for some it is a competitive event, for the majority it is more social. The Taniwha offers the public the opportunity to either bike, run or walk sections of the 100km Hitting the road to drive home the wonders of the Waikato Waikato River Trails. Taniwha distances range from River Trails is a task enthusiastically tackled by WRT staff. 7km to 80km to cater for strollers, speedsters and everything in between. Walking, running and Going to events such as the Covi Motorhome Show, home and mountain biking are all options, and especially lifestyle expos, and the New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays are popular are the 7km and 14km walk/run, the half promotional opportunities well worth while, staff say. marathon, and various mountain biking categories. Waikato River Trails office administrator Shirley McPherson says there is value in presenting the wonder of the trails at Waikato River Trails Trust and Total Sport join places such as Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, for example, as forces to present this event with support from people coming from those areas tend to stay the night and South Waikato District Council, the Trust’s principal that’s good for the district. sponsor. Part of each entry fee goes to Shine – a Attending the Covi Motorhome Show in Auckland is a great charity striving to prevent domestic abuse. event to target, she says, as there is the opportunity not only to promote the trails, but to sell the idea of staying at Dave Franks of Total Sport says The Taniwha is picturesque freedom camping sites along the way. Brochures “just magic“ – an event that attracts so many are handed out about the trails and those camping sites - people from all walks of life out enjoying the Jones’ Landing, Little Waipa, Whakamaru and Dunhams’ area’s natural beauty. Reserves, and the Mangakino lake-front. Tracks take in boardwalks over wetlands, suspension “We get a great response from these face-to-face opportunities. bridges, native bush, exotic forest, historic The value of the conversations we have at these events is quite landmarks, interesting geological formations, open measurable as we know how many brochures we give out,” reserves and dam crossings. Shirley says. Organisers say the event supports a worthwhile WRT staff also sing the praises of Te Waihou Walkway and Blue Spring, and cafes and various accommodation charity, encourages people to be active, and helps offerings (home stays, backpackers, lodges and country celebrate the best of the Waikato River Trails. hotels) along the trail and the wider district. Visit www.thetaniwha.co.nz “It’s not hard to fly the flag. It’s a pleasure as we are very proud of what we have got here,” Shirley says. Principal Major Supporter Sponsor Trails success possible only with Council support South Waikato District Council has played an integral part in the establishment of the Waikato River Trails. Just how integral cannot be underestimated, says Waikato River Trails Trust general manager Glyn Wooller. After all, the concept of a 100km Waikato River trail was mooted by Council’s economic development group back in 2002 and 100 kilometres of trail ago. “The council is the driving force behind the Waikato River Trails’ development and needs to be congratulated for supporting the trail visions and, as a result, creating an asset of national significance,” Glyn says. The vision for the trail was motivated at the time by diminishing employment in South Waikato District. Glyn says the Council’s enduring support over the lifetime of the WINNERS: project has delivered a number of key benefits: Aiden Dunster (left) and Sam Durrant. • The project has delivered a 103km cycling and walking trail free to use by locals and visitors to our District. • More than 140 jobs were created during the construction Generator an international launch pad phase of the project. The project provided opportunities for the unemployed. More than 50 percent of those employed on The Generator event has played an exciting part in the the project went on to gain further employment. international multisport plans of two Bay of Plenty men. • The Waikato River Trails’ Charitable Trust was formed in 2006 Two Tauranga athletes – Aiden Dunster and Sam to act as an autonomous entity which has enabled leveraging Durrant – will be winging their way to Sardinia, Italy, of funding. in September to represent New Zealand in multisport • In 2009 the Trust was the first organisation to sign an events. agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development to fast track the development of one of New Zealand’s “Great Rides”. Sam, 20, and Aiden, 22, qualified after winning their • In November 2011 the Trail was officially opened. Since then races in the Waikato River Trails’ Generator event. Sam more than 100,000 people have enjoyed the Waikato River won the FULL Generator, while Aiden won the standard Trails. triathlon. Glyn says there’s no doubt the Trails is in esteemed company ... Speaking after the event, Sam described the Generator “We are up there with the iconic Central Otago Rail Trail, Alps to as an “awesomely-run event in a great spot”. “It was not Ocean, Great Lake Trail, The Timber Trail and Hawke's Bay Trails - too long but it was nice and challenging. Being able to these are just some of the wonderful Trails in our network.” run on the Arapuni suspension bridge was an awesome aspect, and along the river was great too,” Sam says. He says being a member of the New Zealand Cycle Trails network affords Waikato River Trails significant exposure nationally and The Generator was a popular event amongst competitive internationally. Western Bay of Plenty runners. Tauranga’s Craig Kirkwood was second in the FULL Generator, while Lindy “Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Cycle Trails and our local Wickham finished third in the women’s FULL multisport Regional Tourism Organisations are all committed to promoting the race. network of cycling products.