The annual Placemakers Scooter Challenge is back in March, but this year organisers have changed the route slightly and opened it up to more riders.
Now in its 9th year, the fundraiser will be donating to the Grace Street Project, and starts at Teretonga on March 21 - finishing in Te Anau - whenever the 50cc mopeds and riders get there.
Co-organiser Tash Clay said this year they felt a revamp was needed of the route, to coincide with a whole new charity, but to also keep it inside the Southland district.
“And we knew Te Anau would get behind us too.”
She said the event wasn’t just about reaching the finish line—“it’s about the adventure, the camaraderie, and the breathtaking landscapes you’ll conquer on the way.”
After a few laps of the race track at Teretonga, participants will then head out of town and follow the southern coastline - a journey of 194km.
Tash said ideally the rules are 50cc moped scooters, but some push the limits with bigger scooters - but they can’t race ahead of the pack because Traffic Management Services determines the speed of the race - which sits at about 65 to 70km.
“Some don’t make it for several reasons, usually its mechanical and the hills seem to get a few casualties not only on the up hill, but you must watch how you engage your scooter on the downhill too.”
The Scooter Challenge is a powerful awareness and fundraising event built by the community and for the community.
“It’s a chance to stand beside families who need support, and to walk in solidarity with those who are passionate about making real change.”
Already the Placemakers Scooter Challenge has raised over half a million dollars for its chosen charities.
Tash has been involved with every one, and so far they have had a great response from people wanting to get involved.
“We usually cap the scooter event to 150 scooters but thought why not try and make this one bigger and better?
“What’s another 50 scooters to what is already a day of organised chaos? We currently have 185 Scooters and 195 Riders so we can fit in a few more, but they do need fundraise for the course, we set a minimum of $200 per rider to be able to attend the event.”
The original idea for the event came from the Christchurch-based Trans Alpine Scooter Challenge and then the Southerners put their own take on it - holding it every second year since 2010 (except for 2021 because of the pandemic).
The Grace Street Project is a community-led initiative aimed at addressing some of the key challenges faced by South Invercargill. With some of the highest deprivation communities and rates of youth exclusion and disadvantage in New Zealand, this project aims to provide a multi-purpose community building to help bridge the gap and provide opportunities for growth, learning and social connection.
Registrations and if you are wanting to Donate can be found on its website www.southernchallenge.co.nz