Theta Adventure Racers Take on Kaikōura for Cure Kids

After more than 13 hours our team, Jason Free, Winnie Xu, and Alan Moore, crossed the finish line, carrying with them unforgettable experiences and lasting memories of the breathtaking views along the way.

Winnie reflected on the experience, saying,

‍“It was an awesome race and scenery! Real NZ back country!”

Jason also shared thoughts on the challenges and the beauty of the course,

“Getting out of bed at 3:30 am for a 12-hour adventure never seems like a great idea, until you’re standing on a small mountain with the Kaikōura Peninsula to one side, the lower North Island to the other, the Pacific Ocean in front and the Kaikōura Range behind. Then it all clicks.”

Alan described it as one of his standout adventure racing experiences,  

“From the starlit pre-dawn start on the beach at Kaikoura, wading across the Hapuku River in the dark, to the dawn chorus as we biked up the Puhi Puhi Valley. An amazing trek through the Inland Kaikōura Range, beautiful streams, and beech forest full of birds. The highlight of the final stage was a 40m climb up a waterfall on a caving ladder, before an after-dark finish. A superb team to share it all with.”

Beyond the challenge and scenery, as always, the race carries a deeper purpose. Winnie explained their motivation behind the fundraising effort,

“Pain is temporary, but a cure is forever. That line, first heard at the Cure Kids Adventure Race years ago, still drives us forward when the terrain turns brutal and our legs are burning. It’s the reminder we hold onto in the toughest moments: every step, every climb, every ounce of effort is for something far bigger than ourselves."

She continued,

"Adventure racing isn’t just about endurance or crossing the finish line, it’s about purpose. It’s about pushing through discomfort to create real change, raising vital funds to support life-saving research, and giving hope to those who need it most. When the path gets steep and the fatigue sets in, we remember why we started. Because while the challenge may only last a day, the impact we’re racing for can last forever.”

If you’re able to support the team’s efforts and the important cause they’re racing for, please consider donating to Cure Kids below. Every contribution helps make a lasting difference.