In all, six teams and two trampers "Dared to be Challenged" in the inaugural Coromandel 24 Hour Adventure Race. Arrow competitors included: Peter Williams, Jonathan Ash, Graeme Birkhead, Jonathan Barry, Ron Anderson, Rob Morris and Murdoch Dryden. Race briefing was hald at Hahei Camp Ground, located on the Coromandel's East Coast. The weather turned it on for the 7:00am 30km sea kayak from Hahei up the Whitianga estuary to the Coroglen Bridge. With the tide behind them, Murdoch Dryden's team had a healthy lead at the half-way point, but all was about to change.

Supporters and officials rushed to meet teams at the Kayak/tramp transition, however none arrived? It was some time before a large group splashed their way to the transition but no Murdoch? Murdoch finally arrived after following an incorrect channel, costing the team 50 minutes to the new race leaders "Hamilton".

From the kayak, teams face a two stage 45km mountain run/tramp over the old pack horse track, past the Pinnacles to a manned checkpoint near Thames. With the sun shining and the afternoon young, Peter Eising's team "Patterson Architects" were first in with a run time of five hours. Hot on their tail were Ron Anderson and Rob Morris, followed by Murdochs team. The entire field was within one hour of each other at the tramp half way point.

During the second half of the tramp nightfall was to slow many teams. First out, and looking somewhat more tired, was Patterson Architects, followed by Murdoch's team, Ron and Rob, and the Wethafokawi Boys (Jonathan Ash, Jonathan Barry, Graeme Birkhead and Pierre Benson). Chris hale also emerged from the bush after completing the tramp leg only, which took 15 hours and 50 minutes. Chris was sporting the latest new bush craft crutch to support an injured hip.

From the tramp it was into the 45km bike which started with a 14km downhill, then into the forestry to find the code words and back to Hahei Camp to finish. First in was Patterson Architects in 17 hours and 29 minutes, followed by Ron and Rob (team name Spud and Murphy) and Wethafokawi Boys. Three teams of the six finished the entire course with their original team while the remaining teams continued without withdrawn competitors. The last team crossed the finish line at 5:32am in a time of 23 hours and 32 minutes.

Congratulations to all those who competed and supported. Hope you are all looking to forward to next year's event.