Action Weekend: Tough competitors to twalk the Twalk over 24 hours

Twalk is an annual 24-hour orienteering event in the Canterbury high country.

Matagouri, swamps, bluffs and making lasagne without tomatoes are just some of the challenges competitors will face at Twalk this weekend.

Twalk is an annual 24-hour orienteering event run by the Canterbury University Tramping Club. Competitors are invited to dress up - if only to protect their legs from being ripped to shreds as they negotiate rugged terrain.

Auckland University Tramping Club captain Matthew Battley says: "I'm looking forward to the incredible scenery you get to immerse yourself in as you explore the Canterbury high country".

The event is split into five legs - each 15-25km long and has 10-20 controls (cards hidden around the course).

Competitors are given clues to indicate the location of the controls on a map.

But the clues themselves are often cryptic as Battley recalls: "The CUTC team show a great sense of humour with the clues, keeping the teams in high spirits even when navigating through a misty swamp at 3am."

Centre of operations is the "Hash House", where volunteers ensure hot food is always available and there is fresh water, tent space, music, socialising and a live scoreboard.

Competitors must spend at least 30 minutes at the Hash House before they can take off on a subsequent leg of the course.

With 300 hungry people competing around the clock, the cooks often have to be creative when they start running out of essential ingredients such as tomatoes for lasagne, or muffins without eggs.

Four AUTC teams will compete at Twalk this weekend and Battley is delighted.

"The teams are mainly from Christchurch or Otago so it's nice to take down a competitive Auckland contingent," he says.

"There is nothing quite like seeing the sun rise again after running/regaining through the entire night."

Twalk15

What: 24-hour orienteering event
When: Today/tomorrow
Where: Canterbury
For more information click here.