The secondary school battle for first place is intense
The Hillary Challenge (video) is undoubtedly the toughest adventure competition for high school students and the battle for first is intense because it is a prestigious and highly coveted title for schools to achieve. Not only does this event require a high level of physical and mental fitness, being a team sport, members need the ability to work together under stress.
Participants qualify for the final by meeting the required criteria during the Hillary Challenge 6 hour Adventure Race events the year before.
The 18th annual challenge to find the top Secondary School Outdoor Adventure Team in New Zealand will take place 7-11 May 2018.
The 5 day Hillary Challenge is held each year at Hillary Outdoors Tongariro, and is only open to a total of 12 teams, each consisting of 8 students from Year 12 or 13.  The teams will be scored on their skill, speed and endurance during a 5-day series of outdoor adventure challenges, including a 2-day rogaine style wilderness expedition and a multisport race on the final day. In true adventure racing tradition, the exact details of all challenges will be kept secret until the event.
Schools that have so far qualified for the 2018 final are;
- Whangarei Girls and Boys High (Whangarei)
- New Plymouth Girls and Boys High (Taranaki)
- Thames High (Thames)
- Cambridge High (Cambridge)
- St Pauls Collegiate (Hamilton)
- Trident High (Whakatane)
- Westlake Girls and Boys High (Auckland)
- Middleton Grange (Christchurch)
- MacKenzie College (Fairlie)
- Cashmere High (Christchurch)
- Rangiora New Life (Rangiora)
- Waimea College (Nelson)
Take a look at our Facebook page for coverage and photos of the action. You can also find photos and footage from our previous Hillary Challenge Events on our gallery and video library pages.
To find out more and enter the 2018 Torpedo7 6 hour Adventure Race events which lead to the final held in 2019, click here
