North Canterbury News: February 01, 2024

RAKAHURI RAGE RETURNSTOSUPPORT
MAINPOWERWAISWIM PROGRAMME
TheMikeGreer HomesRakahuri Rage 6-hour mountain bikerelayracereturns on March10ththis year,offering
riders of all abilities the chancetorace on one of the area’s most popular single tracks.
After suffering from Covid lockdowns and adverse weather in recent years,
NC Sports is looking forwardtothe chancetoget the RakahuriRage back on
thelocal sporting calendar forthe first time since2021.
This year’s race is open
to up to 100 teams of 2-4
riders, aswell as 10 solo
riders. Thereare 10 team
categories ranging from
school and junior teams,
to corporates and “Old
Cranks” (over 50s), and
the event issuitable for
novice riders as well as
seasoned mountain bike
racers.
Event organiser Rosie
Oliver says one of the
key goals of the Rage is to appeal to thewider cycling communityand bring
family and friends together for afun day ofMTB riding. “There are alot of
racesout therewhereyou have to train hardand spend alot of money,which
is great, but wewant tocreate anevent that isachieveable for riders of all
skills and experience, where they don’t need an expensive bike or heaps of
training in order to take part.”
To be as inclusiveaspossiblethe RakahuriRage nowallows riders
of E-bikes to enter aspart ofateam. “E-bikes are helping to get
morepeople out cycling and allowing them to keep riding as they
get older,soitisimportantthey areable to take partinthese sorts
of events too,”saysOliver (who is an e-bike rider herself).
TheRakahuriRage is open to riders 12 years and older,with many
of these younger riders comingfromLoburnSchool,which enters
all its Year 8students as part of the William Pike Challenge Award.
Normally schools enterateam or twoofadults who ride with their
less experienced riders to give them advice and encouragement
around the course.
Entry fees are $35 for U18 riders, $55 for riders 18 years old and
over,and $85 forsolo riders. Each team getsspaceinthe transition
area for agazebo and with all the teams inclose proximity there is alot of
socialising as well as the competitiveracing.
This year’s eventhas again been well supportedbylocal businesses,
who provide some funding aswell asprizes and teams ofriders
for the event. Mike Greer Homes has been akey sponsor since
the first event in2015, as has Push Bikes and Flooring Connection,
with new sponsors joining the eventinrecentyears including New
WorldPegasus,Tranzit,Total Span, Brand Mowers &Chainsaws,and
McDonalds North Canterbury.
Allproceedsfromthe RakahuriRage areused to fund the MainPower
Waiswim Primary School Swimming programme which teaches
essential swimming and water safety skills to over 5,600 North
Canterbury children every year. The programme provides up to 10
subsidised swimmingand watersafetylessons foryear 0-8 students,
aswellastransportation to the local pool,withschools from Kaiapoi
to as far north asKaikourataking part.
Many of thetraditional funders forthis programme have restructed
in recent years, increasing the reliance onlocal sources and fund raising
activities by NC Sports. While MainPower and the Waimakariri District
Council arethe key sponsors,RotaryClub of Rangiora has becomeamajor
contributor,injecting $15,000 per year into the programmefor thelast four
years to ensureitcontinues reaching all schools and studentyeargroups.
The Rakahuri Rage
mountain bike race
has provided more
than $40,000 for the
swimming programme
from previous years and
NC Sport ishoping the
local community will
once again get behind
and support the race so
they can raise around
$10,000 again in 2024.
Youcan find out more or
enterat:
www.rakahuri-rage.nz
PROCEEDS SUPPORT
THE MAINPOWER WAISWIM
PRIMARY SCHOOL SWIMMING PROGRAMME
Rangiora’sown 6-hour teams relaymountain bikerace,
suitable forriders of allskill levels and experience.
Getyour team of 2-4 riders together &enter NOW!
RAVENSWOOD
10 MARCH 2024