The second rendition of the Alpha Challenge successfully took place on Saturday (December 11) at Dublin Bay.

Almost 200 participants braved the rain and cooler temperatures as they ran up hills, crawled through mud and climbed an array of obstacles.

Despite the restrictions of Covid-19, the event was able to go ahead for those who had vaccination passports.

The Wānaka App caught up with Alpha Challenge co-founder Kim Parry, who expressed her delight that the event could even take place.

Some of the Fit Collective competitors at the Alpha Challenge.

“It is slightly surreal to have been able to deliver this year, in this constantly changing environment.

Watching the participants smile, laugh and support each other makes every single stress of trying to deliver an event during a pandemic totally worth it,” Kim said.

The Alpha Challenge offered a 6km and 12km competitive and fun option, as well as a four-hour team relay, an adaptive event, and the Alpha-Mini for those five years and older.

Marijn Wouters and Rhys Cunningham claimed first and second place in the competitive 12km, with Evan Jane and Jason Clarke taking the top spots in the 6km.

Their results have earnt them direct qualification for the 2022 Obstacle Course Racing World Championships to be hosted in Vermont, USA next September.

Thirty-two high school students took part in the event, with the ‘BLAST’ programme participants showcasing their teamwork whilst they navigated through the obstacles.

Race director Andrew King told the Wānaka App a highlight of the event was watching the Mint Collective adaptive race take place.

“So often we put barriers around what people can and can’t do in life, so watching our adaptive participants take part in the event and tackle the obstacles was humbling and inspiring,” he said.

The event provided a platform for the less competitive to build some confidence, try some new activities, and certainly have a laugh – which was the notable theme of the day.

The Alpha Challenge team is already hard at work preparing for the third year of the event which will take place on December 3, 2022.

PHOTOS: Supplied