No pain, no gain for Wairua Warriors

More than 300 people unleashed their inner warrior at Nelson Obstacle Park over the weekend.

David Trotter first completed the obstacle race in 2016, after campaigning to raise funds for a purpose built, all-terrain, manual wheelchair, (the Trekenetic K-2), which is now available for others to book for the events.

Aided by his team, he again took part in Aotearoa’s largest obstacle course race, the second time the annual event was hosted at the Moutere Highway venue.

Since David’s motorcycle accident more than 30 years ago, his whole life has been about overcoming obstacles – which is exactly what Wairua Warrior is about.

Co-organiser Julia Kelly says the event was “fantastic” with around 200 spectators and Nelson Tasman making up half of the competitors.

“It’s a lot of work and yes, I haven’t slept for quite a while, but it was worth all the work, all the effort, and all the cost… this is a labour of love,” she says.

“A huge thank you to everyone involved, and our sponsors were amazing.”

The event comprised a kids race, a 3km, 5km, and a 10km Elite race, and a 5km and 10km Open and Team race.

The Open race targeted competitors wishing to test the course’s taxing obstacles before competing in the elite category at future events.

“The kids were amazing, some of them got to be helped by the pros… to have them lift a six-year-old over the walls with their knowledge, that six-year-old may be the future of the sport in ten years,” Julia says.

“Some of the courses had different options, we took ropes away for the elites so they had less help, and the teams are allowed to help each other.

“You could have one person doing monkey bars and two people below them are lifting up their feet.”

Julia says Nelson’s Dean Langham reigned supreme in the 10km and 5km Elite courses, and Tasman’s Breon Gravatt claimed first in the 10km Open course.

Nelson’s Cody Scott was the victorious female in the 3km and 5km Elite categories as well as claiming a bronze medal in the 10km Elite Womens. Nelson’s Johanne Delnatte prevailed in the 5km Open category.

The Glass Gladiators team comprising of Viridian Glass staff won the Team 10km category.