The inaugural Poronui Passage was a great success! The sun shone, the drinks flowed, and the athletes performed.

Early morning on Saturday 28th September, Poronui’s stables area was alive.  The Poronui and Total Sport teams (dressed in fitting tweed outfits) prepared to host the first ever Poronui Passage endurance event.

Many participants arrived well ahead of their category start times to enjoy the unlimited coffee and to soak in the pre-event atmosphere.  Three event categories – marathon, 50km mountain bike and 1/2 marathon run or walk all started with a bang…literally! A military cannon sounded and it was all on!

Competitors enjoyed the varied (including ‘incredibly steep’) terrain along the track.  The courses took in the picturesque native Beech forest, farmland (including the historic red hut) as well as the deer park. Competitors spotted Sika, Red, Fallow and Rusa deer.  The aid stations offered something out of the ordinary; Tāku honey covered popcorn, crackers and cheese, chocolate-coated coffee beans, plus a very popular beer stop 1 mile from the end.

Although some brave souls tackling it as their very first endurance event found it a bit challenging, the first person made it around the 50km course on an e-bike in an impressive 1h 47m.

Full results can be viewed here>> 

Post-event, gourmet burgers and chips were enthusiastically consumed.  Participants and spectators alike spent the rest of the day lounging around on hay bales and soaking up the sunshine.  All the while enjoying the band and DJ, playing old favourites and new.

The Poronui Passage 2020 is on Saturday 26th September.  Entries open Wednesday 6th November 2019.

View the Poronui Passage website for more info>>

A few highlights from the day…