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| 100km peloton around Maungatautari Mountain |
The Rotary Club of Te Awamutu, NZ, is proud
to present the Maunga Cycle Challenge, an event for the community, which
promotes the Waipa District and the wider Waikato, the Maungatautari Ecological
Island Trust and provides a challenge of riding around the majestic
Maungatautari Mountain. The event start and finish on the second Sunday in
November is at Albert Park in Te Awamutu and it has attracted over 500 riders.
Rotarian organizer Elizabeth Wright says the Maunga
Cycle Challenge is open to a diverse range of riders, attracting everyone from
families keen for a bit of fun and family time, to professionals looking to
stretch their legs in the 100km ride around Maungatautari Mountain.
Other distances are the Livingston 3 person relay,
30km or 12km family ride. Other popular events have been the Battle of
Champions between elite rowers and cyclists, a school team competition and the
Sport Waikato Energizes running a programme for children on the park.
The charity of choice is the Trusts Education
Facility. Five dollars from the 30km and 100km entries assists with purchase of
resources for visiting school groups of children and visitors to learn about
the flora and fauna of the mountain. All further profits are directed straight
back into the community.
The Maunga is a growing community event and draws
volunteers from local clubs and businesses, with the latter providing product
and cash prizes. Waikato businesses also assist with advertising, web design
and the Waipa Council with advice and financial support.
On the day, the local cycle club helps with
registrations and other Rotarians from Kihikihi and Otorohanga assist the
committee with the many jobs to ensure the smooth running of the event. Up to
60 volunteers assist annually with the Maunga.
A short video on the website themaungachallenge.co.nz showcases the beautiful surrounds of the mountain
and river.
The tenth Maunga Cycle Challenge will be on
November 8 [2015]. Online registrations will open in September to save your
slot.
