Iconic beach events farewell Kiwi summer
02 Mar 2010
Waka Ama Surf Challenge - 20 March 2010
Te Houtaewa Challenge - 26 March 2010
Beach lovers can bid a final hurrah to summer with two challenging outdoor events, based entirely around the sand and surf of 90 Mile Beach, in New Zealand’s Far North.
This year marks the 17th birthday of the famous Te Houtaewa Challenge, and the 11th anniversary of the Waka Ama Surf Challenge at Te Oneroa a Tohe - ‘the long beach of Tohe’, better known as 90 Mile Beach.
Te Houtaewa is a unique beach marathon run entirely on a beach track - a world-exclusive. The event honours legendary Maori athlete Te Houtaewa, who used his speed and cunning to escape enemies after stealing their kumara or sweet potato.
Te Houtaewa Challenge
The 2010 Te Houtaewa Challenge will be held on 26 March.
The run often attracts international interest. In 2009, 10 countries were represented in the challenge and a German television crew made a 60-minute documentary about it.
There are three parts to the marathon, with runners able to opt for either the 60km open ultra marathon (following Te Houtaewa’s actual run), 42km marathon or 21km half-marathon run.
Those after an easier challenge can choose to do the 21km half-marathon walk, 60km 5-person open relay or the 6km walk for life.
Waka Ama Surf Challenge
The Waka Ama (outrigger canoe) Surf Challenge is held around the same date as the Te Houtaewa Challenge, and the 2010 event will take place on 20 March.
It is the only waka ama event to be held in the surf in New Zealand, and has the added challenge of having to turn the waka in the surf.
Background: Te Houtaewa
Te Houtaewa was a chief of the Te Aupouri tribe who was known as the fastest runner of his time.
The race commemorates the time when he stole kumara, or sweet potato from the Te Rarawa tribe, and out-ran his enemies on 90 Mile Beach - while carrying two kete (flax baskets) filled with kai (food) for his mother’s hangi, or earth oven.
Te Aupouri is the name given to the northernmost Maori iwi or tribe in New Zealand - the name means "dark smoke".
Notable Te Aupouri hapu or descendants include acclaimed New Zealand artist Shane Hotere and retired New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Stacey Jones, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest ever league players.
More information
The legend of Te Houtaewa
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