Are you New Zealand’s Ultimate Athlete?

The very first New Zealand Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Course race is making its way to Mount Maunganui this June, with organisers asking if you have what it takes to take on the challenge.

Obstacle Course Racing is the fastest growing participation sport in the world, and with events scheduled for kids through to pro athletes, it’s set to provide a challenge for any that choose to embark on this journey. 

With the course designed to test all, with endurance and strength elements set over two distances and a teams race, a triathlete or runner can take on a Crossfit or strength based athlete. 

Bayofplenty.live got to chat with Managing Director Gavin Foster, to find out what this obstacle course is all about and how it came to be, right here in Mount Maunganui. 

What is Ultimate Athlete and how is it different to anything else done before?

Gavin Foster: Ultimate Athlete is an obstacle course race, similar to the likes of Spartan and Tough Mudder. UA will give it’s competitors a unique experience. It’s achievable for anyone with a basic level of fitness, with world class obstacles, set on one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beach in downtown Mount Maunganui. The US athletes village will have DJ’s, epic spectator viewing areas, a sports expo which will create an awesome atmosphere for everyone supporting or taking part. 

What will competitors do during the course of the event?

GF: Over two distances 6km/20 obstacles and 10km/25 obstacles, competitors will run, crawl, climb, swing and carry their way along the Mount Main Beach, Mauao’s base track and Mount Drury. We have monkey bars, A frames, cargo nets, sandbag carries, various sized and shaped walls plus others. 

What was the decision to bring Ultimate Athlete to Mount Maunganui and what has the public’s reaction been so far?

GF: Obstacle Course Racing is the fastest growing mass participation sport in the world, with registered numbers exceeding that of rugby union. OCR aims to be an Olympic sport in 8 years time and perfectly suited to kiwi’s but we have limited exposure to the sports in New Zealand. We want to raise the profile of OCR within New Zealand and plan to have a 4 race series around the country within the next two years. 

The reaction to the first UA event has been amazing. People are pumped to try something new and exciting in such a beautiful location. It appeals to such a broad range of people especially those doing functional fitness, triathletes, runners and crossfitters. It really is a sport for everyone. 

Is this any anyway similar to Ninja Warrior? And how can members of the public get involved? 

GF: Yes, OCR is a more achievable version of Ninja Warrior. 

People can get involved and register by heading to the UA website – www.ultimateathlete.co.nz 

Why do you think people will participate in something like this rather than just participating in a marathon?

GF: People are always looking for a new challenge and running isn’t for everyone. You can run or walk the UA course, completing obstacles as you go.

Is there an obstacle that you are most looking forward to seeing competitors tackle?

GF: Tough to pick a favourite… we’ve got some really exciting obstacles being manufactured by Asset Engineering. Either the A Frame Cargo Net or the Inverted Wall. 

The Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Course Race will start on June 11, with the intermediate and secondary schools competition, followed by Ultimate Kids and event registration. The 6km challenge will begin at 8am, the Ultimate Beast elite 10km at 10am, the ultimate beast 10km at 12pm, and the teams event will start at 2pm on June 12. 

Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Course Race
June 12 & 11
www.ultimateathlete.co.nz 

Images/Supplied
Words: Caitlin Houghton