New heights for Peaks event

Kiwi Adventure Trust manager David Tait on the top of Te Mata Peak, one of the peaks that competitors will be climbing as part of the challenge. Photo / Duncan Brown

A bagpiper on Mt Erin, a YouTube competition and a lower entry fee are some of the additions to the 2016 Triple Peaks challenge, which organiser David Tait hopes will make the event even better.

Kiwi Adventure Trust manager Mr Tait said the event had been around for 28 years, and people's expectations were different now.

"We wanted to make the event better but didn't want to take away any of the experience," he said.

"We're still trying to make it special."

He said they had been working on the new additions since "the gantry came down" on 2015's race.

New innovations would make the event more streamlined, like safety measures and a new timing system with timers at each of the five transitions.

As competitors passed through these, footage would also be streamed live on the internet.

Other new additions were to introduce more youth competitors because "there are too many kids on the sidelines and not getting active".

These included the pre-event YouTube video inviting competitors, and "Telling the Story" with video submissions of the Village and the race.

The new changes weren't just to improve the race.

World Vision had also become involved, and competitors could raise money to go toward ensuring clean drinking water in countries without it.

From experience, Mr Tait said this could be a good option for those who wanted to participate in the 40 Hour Famine but did not want to do the race on an empty stomach.

He said there were also other great innovations growing, including the gym and club challenge, the secondary schools' challenge, and the commerce workplace safety challenge.

• Run, walk, or bike in the Triple Peaks Challenge on March 19. Entry fees are now $75 for a solo person. For the full list of reduced entry fees and more information go to Triplepeakschallenge.co.nz