Rangitikei Adventure Race
Our Story
The Rangitīkei Adventure Race was born from a passion for adventure racing and a desire to showcase the stunning Rangitīkei River and surrounding landscapes.
With its dramatic cliffs, clear blue-green waters, and rugged terrain, the Rangitīkei provides the perfect backdrop for an epic race, offering a mix of trekking, mountain biking, and paddling challenges. Its accessible location in the Lower North Island, just a few hours from major cities, makes it an ideal event for both seasoned racers and newcomers to the sport.
What sets our race apart is that the entire course follows a rogaine format, allowing teams to strategize their route and choose how they tackle the terrain.
The race was founded by adventure racer Kym Skerman and orienteer/adventure racer Rachel Smith, who wanted to create an event that tests navigation, endurance, and teamwork while immersing competitors in one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking farming regions.
Kym Skerman – Race Director
Kym Skerman is an experienced events specialist and adventure racer with a passion for endurance sports and the outdoors. With a background in competitive adventure racing across New Zealand and internationally and in outdoor pursuits, she thrives in multi-discipline events that test both physical endurance, mental toughness and resilience. As founder of the Rangitīkei Adventure Race, she is committed to sharing her love of the sport and showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of the Rangitīkei region. Her goal is to inspire more people to push their limits and experience the thrill of adventure racing.
Rachel Smith – Course Director
Rachel Smith is a passionate orienteer and adventure racer with a love for navigation-based sports. With a strong background in orienteering, she has competed in events across New Zealand and internationally. Her expertise in navigation has made her a top competitor in multi day adventure racing. Rachel is also dedicated to growing the sport, through teaching navigation skills and co-founding the Rangitīkei Adventure Race to showcase the stunning landscapes of the region and inspire others to take on the challenge of adventure racing.
Set around the stunning Rangitikei River, this is a very scenic adventure taking you into some of the best back country hill stations in the lower North Island.
