Bay Of Plenty Energy Toi's ChallengeNOVEMBER 14th 2010
The popular Bay of Plenty Energy's 'Toi's Challenge' running and walking event takes place in Whakatane during November each year.
Starting and finishing in Whakatane, Bay of Plenty Energy's Toi's Challenge takes in one of the world's most scenic multiterrain routes - Nga Tapuwae o Toi (in the footsteps of Toi). The 18.5 kilometre course captures the essence of the Whakatane District and includes an ancient pa site, bird colonies, sea cliffs, magnificent stands of pohutukawa trees, the fabulous Ohope Beach as well as isolated bays and plantation forest and rural vistas. The event caters for runners, relay teams and walkers and everyone is encouraged to take part and have fun. There are plenty of prizes to be won in both the Bay of Plenty Energy's Run and the 1XX Fun Walk.
The event is also part of the North Island Triple Crown, a series of three iconic NZ trail runs that also includes The Great Cranleigh Kauri Run and The Goat. The runs include a great diversity of conditions including the spectacular beaches of the Whakatane, the rugged bush of the Coromandel Peninsula and the mountains of the central plateau. Further information here
Local History
The Nga Tapuwae o Toi track traverses the heart of what many centuries ago was the great chieftain Toi's domain. According to Ngati Awa oral traditions, Toi was a descendant of Tiwakawaka, a grandson of the legendary voyager Maui. Tiwakawaka and his people were the first to settle in Aotearoa, coming to Whakatane more than 1000 years ago from their homeland, Mataora.
Some 12 generations later, Toi founded a great tribe, Te Tini a Toi, which settled much of the North Island's east coast. His stronghold, Kapu-te-rangi, is one of the oldest known pa sites in New Zealand. The Ngati Awa iwi, or tribe, which today populates most of the Whakatane district, descends from Toi's youngest son Awanuiarangi.
The Bay of Plenty Energy 'Toi's Challenge' event follows these historic tracks and sites. The course starts at the Athletic clubrooms at Rex Morpeth Park before rising above the town and overlooking the Whakatane Harbour and river mouth. From the bushy clifftop path with its magnificent coastal views, the athletes descend to Otarawairere Bay. They climb over a steep spur to Ohope Beach, which is the relay change point and then enter the undulating forest paths of the Ohope Beach and Mokoroa Reserves before returning to Rex Morpeth Park to finish.
Check out photos of the track here.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/trailrunz/sets/72157622706678086/
For entry forms, please download PDF pages (requires Acrobat) as above or email mikev@whakatane.govt.nz
Date: 14th November 2010
Location: Nga Tapuwai o Toi walkway, Whakatane.
For more information: Contact Ron Price on 07 307 7275 or email ronprice@xtra.co.nz
Thanks to our key sponsors
www.bope.co.nz/community
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