Skis would have definitely assisted competitors during the recent Wellington 24 Hour Adventure Race, for participants encountered half a meter deep snow while traversing the Tararua Ranges. Well known for high winds, competitors set out on foot in moonlight conditions to undertake the well-known Southern Crossing. This course is considered a 2-3 day hike including Mt Hector, which consists of an altitude of 1529m. A recent southerly had left snow levels down to 700m. Competitors where required to carry extra compulsory equipment and where informed of the challenged they where to undertake.

Late entries to this event were team "www.sportzhub.com". Tim Wilkins and Steve Knowles (2 open category) where in the lead with their tramp leg time of 8 hours and 31 minutes. Following closely behind by four minutes was "Team Westwood", which consisted of Jill Westenra, Jerome Sheppard and Al Cross (3 mixed category). Team "Sierra International" is made up of Mark Minerhan, Paul Minerhan, Joanna Forbs and Rob Harrow (4 mixed category) who where just a feather two minutes behind. Due to hazards on the Otaki River and poor sea conditions all kayaking was cancelled and the mountain bike leg was extended to be approximately 92km of cycling in total.

From Otaki Forks participants rode their mountain bikes to the northern side of the Otaki River mouth and then proceeded to Paraparaumu Beach. Whilst kayaking on the Otaki River was cancelled, participants were still required to cross the river in order to reach Paraparaumu Beach. Multiple options were considered with many teams taking the plunge and wading through chest deep water with bikes held above their heads. Team positions remained the same at Paraparaumu Beach with team "Westwood" using good local knowledge to close the gap on "www.sportzhub" and team "Casio Protrek" Sara Clark and Phil Wood (2 mixed category) also making up time on third placed team "Sierra International".

From Paraparaumu Beach competitors mountain biked through the track infested Akatarawa Forest to reach the finish line at Totara Park in Upper Hutt. With many route options and false tracks the Akatarawa Forest proved to be the most navigationally challenging leg of the event. First to successfully steer through the forest was team "Westwood" in a time of 15 hours and 16 minutes. Second place went to "Casio Protrek" after a fantastic ride and great navigation; they completed the course in a time of 15 hours 47 minutes. Hot on their tails was team "Sierra International" in 3rd place, with a time of 15 hours and 56 minutes. Forth after leading the event until entering the Akatarawa Forest was team "www.sportzhub.com" in a time of 16 hour 13 minutes. Unfortunately team "www.sportzhub.com" took the advise of a local trail bike rider which cost them the lead and subsequently three more placing in the overall results.

While team "Westwood" were concluding their race, team "Cockroach" Bruce Baldwin and Graham Moore were still descending the tramp leg which took them 17 hours and 50 minutes to complete. While not lost or injured they had suffered with physical exhaustion and decided to enjoy the course. Lastly to complete the entire course was team "Dobson's Brewery - Marlborough" Tony Bateup and Brendon Neylon in a time of 24 hours and 41 minutes. The series now moves closer to the final which is to be held in Dunedin on the 26th and 27th of October.