WORDS SUPPLIED BY RACHAEL RICKARD. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY KYLIE EDMOND & SAM ANDERSON
Since its inception in 2007, the Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge has steadily grown in numbers, fundraising and reputation. From its beginnings as a single mountain bike race the challenge has grown to an event with three bike races, two walking events and three runs. And with over 12,500 participants having competed over the years, the event is part of many people lives, from the one event they come to each year, to those who are racing for the prize money on the way to chasing their mountain biking and athletic dreams.
Incoming Committee Chairwoman, Rachael Rickard, is no longer chasing athletic dreams but since moving to Mid Canterbury in 2008, all but one year, the Ruralco Longbeach Challenge has been a race she’s attended. And it’s an event she is very passionate about.
“It is a privilege to take on the role of Chairwoman for this event as it is an event I fell in love with the first year we moved to Mid Canterbury. That first year was very memorable as having done a bit of cycling I thought I was handy on the bike. After a bit of banter between Jase (my husband) and I, we thought we’d go head-to-head and race. It only seemed like a good idea as when I should have biked off and taken my moment to win, I waited patiently— including when he went for a swim in the river. Long story short, after gruelling it out back and forth over 35km, we ended up in sprint finish with the late Bernie Davidson full volume on the microphone at the finish line calling it in.
Needless to say, I lost the race, but my love for the event, the community and the cause did not.
Now I get to complete (not so much compete!) alongside our three children, and help raise funds for the community we live in” said Rachael.
Many a budding young Mid Canterbury athlete has raced the event too. Since Anton Cooper in his early years, the committee is now seeing another generation come through, taking on the longer distances each year and setting some impressive times on course. Last year saw entries from many local schools including Longbeach, Hinds, Mayfield, Allenton, Mount Hutt, Mt Somers, Methven Primary, Ashburton College, Waihi, Geraldine, Tinwald and Ashburton Intermediate.
Farmers know better than any that the weather will not be controlled, and the committee is heartened to see so many local farmers continue to support the event, sunshine or rain. Last year’s wet track required more bike skills than other years, but over the finish line the mud was offset by the whites of people’s eyes and teeth, with many hardy athletes and relentless optimists coming in with massive smiles.
In the Corporate Teams event, special mention must go to Ruralco’s own team who took out the 23km event, a trophy they will want to defend in 2023! In recent years the Corporate Teams events trophies have been dominated by teams from Big Al’s Methven and BNZ, so it was magnificent to see Team Ruralco swoop in and collect the gold.
In addition to those out racing, competing, and completing the event is support by over 100 volunteers, from committee members, to catering on the day, to track preparations and management, to site management and sponsorship. There are huge number of hours that go into making this event the success it is.
The committee hope that this year you will join on Sunday 26 November for what will be a great day out.
• All funds raised are split equally between the Hinds and District Lions and the Longbeach School.
• The committee thanks the businesses who continue to support and sponsor this event.
• The 2022 event raised $22,000, total event fundraising now exceeds $350,000.
• Over 12,500 entries have been received across the past 15 events.
• Coffee, sausages, steak sandwiches and ice cream will all be available at the event site.
• The event will start and finish at Longbeach Estate with thanks to the Thomas and Mackenzie families for allowing the event entry to their working farms.