Toi's Attracts Entrants From Around the World - 24 March 2006

"I know it sounds like a cliche, but this year's event was definitely the best yet."

That's how Gavin Shadbolt, race manager for the Bay of Plenty Energy Toi's Challenge, feels about this year's race - and with good cause.

Apart from conditions being near perfect for the 18 kilometre multi-terrain race, the field was the largest to date with over 600 either running or walking the course.

Entrants came from as far away as Canada. The first runner home with a time of 1:20:57, Thomas Owens, came all the way from London.

Several records also fell - Tulip McRoy of Opotiki recording 1:59:01 for the Veteran Womans over 55 and Veteran Mens over 50 entrant, Colin Stringfellow of Whakatane, completing the course in 1:30:58.

"We are sure to see more records broken in future events," says Gavin, "with the Murrihy family of Taumaranui being real contenders. Aaron Murrihy just missed out on breaking the Under 20 time and he is only 16. We can expect good things from him in the future."

The continued success of the Bay of Plenty Energy Toi's Challenge can be put down to the hard work put in by a group of dedicated volunteers according to Gavin.

"The whole event is run in a professional manner. Everybody from the marshalls to those manning the water stations do their best to make the Challenge a success.

The runners grapevine works really well and word about the quality of the event soon gets out. That is one of the main reasons the number of entries grows year by year.

And of course we couldn't do it all without the ongoing support of our main sponsors, Bay of Plenty Energy and Plastic Box. They have both been with us for years and have already committed to the 2006 race," he said.

As the Bay of Plenty Energy Toi's Challenge grows in popularity it attracts large numbers of visitors to the area. Close to 50% of the entrants are visitors to the Eastern Bay of Plenty - many staying for a number of days.

Gavin says they enjoy the whole Whakatane experience.

"The course is quite unique and takes entrants past a large number of historic sites and through native bush with many scenic views along the way. So it is a form of quiet marketing. They go home and tell their friends about the race and what a great place Whakatane is."

Bay of Plenty Energy account manager, Mahia Bennett, says Toi's Challenge is an event all of Whakatane can be proud of.

"It is a real honour to be involved in a sporting event of this calibre. That is why we have continued our sponsorship and will continue to do so," she says.

Preparations are already underway for next years Bay of Plenty Energy Toi's Challenge with an even larger field of entrants expected.