The trails surrounding Alexandra Airport are the setting for a six hour mountain bike enduro race next month, to help locals struggling to cover medical costs.

Highland events director and co-organisers Terry Davis said everyone was welcome to join the fun on October 21, get the buzz from participating and help raise funds for the Central Otago Resilience Fund. 

“Most of [Highlands] events have a hefty community kick-back anyway so when Glen Christiansen asked me to help put this on I was instantly in.

“I'm a believer in what the Resilience Trust does. Jo McKenzie-McLean was a great friend and I was part of the original group set up to help her, which morphed into the Resilience Trust.”

Terry said he loves the caring, proactive and cooperative culture in Central. 

Entries are trickling in so far, but if mountain biking is not for you, there are other ways to show your support. 

Volunteers are needed for the day, or local businesses can set up at the start/finish area to promote products or give away spot prizes. 

“It’s an opportunity to get off the couch and see how many laps you can do, or get together with a bunch of friends and make shared memories of a relay team effort.

“If everyone could please like, tag and share our social media posts that would be awesome, we [want to] raise as much money as we can and create the best event environment with hundreds of people enjoying themselves."

Terry said there would be space for teams to set up tents and a crew station, plenty of parking and music playing to add to the atmosphere.  

Electric bikes are included, teams can be mixed genders and have two or four members. Bikers should expect a challenging, but well marked course. 

Alexandra Airport course map. PHOTO: Supplied 

Registrations close for the solo and team categories ($50 per adult and $25 per junior, under 19) on October 18. 

Races start at 10am and parking and the start/finish line is on Coates Rd. 

Terry thanked Joe Sherriff and Malcolm McLeod for assisting with the trails and the map and Fulton Hogan.

Read more: Trust helps locals with medical-related costs.

Find out more about Central Otago Resilience Trust here.

To contact Terry email: [email protected]