Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge

30km Individual or Teams Run/Walk Event

  This years event to be held on Saturday 4^th December 2010
Starting and finishing at the beautiful Clifton Bay in the Hastings District of Hawke’s Bay

2010 Year Event raising funds for Cranford Hospice 
2009 Year Event raised $12,000 for Child Cancer

The Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge is set to be the next iconic event, with participants being treated to some of the most stunning scenery for any event in the world. The course is mainly on private land and includes windswept beaches, native forest, waterfalls, river gorges and stunning coastal farmland.

The Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge is an annual event that not only will serve as a focus of many peoples fitness efforts but is an important fundraiser, returning all surplus funds back to a nominated charity each year.

Stapes Rodway, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, have been instrumental in establishing this event not only as the principal financial sponsor but through their ongoing commitment in conjunction with the event Manager David Tait.

The Maori name for Cape Kidnappers is Te Matau a Maui, the fish hook of Maui. It was named Cape Kidnappers by Captain James Cook after an attempt by local Maori to abduct one of the crew of the Endeavour. The area oozes with history, both Maori and European, and the observant will note historic sites such as the boiler from the wreck of the Go Ahead that grounded in 1887 at Rangaiika which was for a short time the site of a whaling station.

The power of the Pacific Ocean is a constant feature of the landscape with the sea forming caves and rock arches as it works to shape this land.  The natural wonders continue as participants travel inland along the edge of the Cape Kidnappers Wildlife Reserve that plays host to a kiwi breeding and release program designed to save the endangered North Island Brown Kiwi. The extent of the conservation efforts can be seen with a 10.6km predator proof fence. Of course Cape Kidnappers is also world famous as the site of the largest gannet colony in the world.  Climbing to an altitude of 260m participants are treated to views second to none before descending into the Maraetotara river where they will walk or run past waterfalls and cascades on their return journey to Clifton Bay where their adventure begun.

The area is also the home of the world renowned 5 Star Lodge “The Farm” and what Golf Magazines 50th Anniversary issue ranked as the 4th Greatest Golf Course in the world.

Adventure events are becoming increasingly popular and the Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge will serve as a sister event for the iconic Triple Peaks Challenge and become the first in a quartet of adventure based races held in the Hawke’s Bay District.  These events are the Kaweka Challenge, Triple Peaks Challenge and the Hawke’s Bay Adventure Race.