The quote came to mind as we rocked up to the Rafting New Zealand headquarters in Turangi to sign in for the 2019 edition of the River Wild Raft and Run race. We’ve been participating in the event every year since its conception in 2013 and every year we arrive in the same slightly dishevelled state; usually a little hungover from the night before with our bodies carrying numerous injuries which are a sign of our age, not due to any sort of overtraining. Actually, our bodies also tend to go into a slight state of shock at the thought of rafting 16km and running 8km as we mutter under our breaths, “maybe we should have done some training.”
However, this is one of the things that makes this event stand out from all others. It’s not about being the fastest down the river, although we all secretly covet that spot, and its not about being the fastest on the 8km run, it’s simply about taking part with a group of friends or colleagues and the sense of camaraderie it creates.
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