NISSARC
The North Island Secondary Schools Adventure Racing Champs (NISSARC) will be hosted alongside the 3, 6 & 12 hr events at the Rangitikei Adventure Race on 10th April 2027
North Island Secondary Schools Adventure Racing Championship:
The NISSARC championship events are open to teams of 4 members made up of either Male, Female or Mixed. To be eligible for the championship all team members must be enrolled at the same school, and be in the eligible school year listed or lower.
However we are committed to running an AR event that is inclusive and accessible, to grow participation of young people in the sport.
Students who do not meet the SSNZ criteria will still have an opportunity to compete (in the Open Youth event), and are encouraged to do so. Although they will not be eligible for placing in the Championship events, they will be recognised appropriately.
The NISSARC will include mountain biking, trekking, navigation, and a mystery activity. A support crew is required for all school teams.
The NISSARC events are sanctioned events with School Sport NZ, we ask that teams read & follow SSNZ eligibility guidelines.
School Sport New Zealand – Eligibility & Regulations (schoolsportnz.org.nz)
Championship Event:
3 Hour
Year 7/8 – Primary
Year 9 /10– Junior
6 Hour
Year 10/11 – Intermediate
12 Hour
Year 11/12/13 – Senior
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Race Timetable – 2026
Preliminary Race Programme
Friday 20th March 2026
4pm – 6pm – Race Registration in Taihape
• Race Directors available to answer questions
• Team Changes
• Race Waiver signed6:15pm – 12 Hr race briefing, map handout
7pm – 6 Hr race briefing, map handout
Saturday 21st March 2026
7:00am – 12 Hr race start.
10am – 6 Hr race start.
11am- 3 Hr race briefing and map handout.
12pm- 3Hr race start.
There will be food available to purchase at the end of your race. Gourmet beef burgers, and vege burgers. These are a huge hit with teams each year and raved about, please bring cash in case there is limited eftpos coverage.
Sunday 22nd March 2026
10am Prize giving at St Josephs School Hall, Rauma Road, Taihape.
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This year the Rangitikei Adventure Race will include a 3hr, 6hr and 12hr duathlon events for schools as well as the 12hr paddling option (open event) and all will be run in a rogaine style format. This means you can collect as many or as few checkpoints as you want or are able to according to your team’s ability within the 3, 6 or 12 hours. If you are new to AR then you may only want to collect 4-5 checkpoints per stage and cruise around the course, if you are more competitive you may want to try and clear the course. If you have always wanted to step up in race duration, this is the perfect opportunity to do that as you make it as easy or challenging as you chose. Strategise and race to your strengths to maximise your points, whether that be in the trekking legs or on the mountain bike stages.
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The Rangitikei Adventure Race is part of the Adventure 1 Series that brings together 4 events around the country to form a National Championship. The 12hr paddling event is part of the A1 Series.
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There are a range of course lengths and categories to suit teams of different abilities.
Team Sizes –4 people to be part of the championship (if a team of 2 or 3 you can enter in the Open Youth below).
Course Length – 3, 6 or 12 hours.
Age Categories –12hr Schools - year 11/12/13
6hr Schools - year 9/10
3hr Schools - year 7/8
Gender Categories – Male, Female, Mixed.12 Hr, 6 Hr and 3 Hr Duathlon Courses – include mountain biking, trekking, navigation, mystery activity.
IMPORTANT
If you have any students transferring to your school from another school in NZ, (year 10 – 13) and taking part in the NISS ARC (Championship event only) you MUST fill in this form and send it to School Sport NZ 10 working days before the event entries close. The student will be unable to participate if this is not completed. If you have any queries, please contact Nicki Paterson at events@schoolsportnz.org.nz
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Late entry fees apply from 16th February 2026. Entries close Sunday 15th March.
School teams – must have all team members enrolled at School.
Withdrawals – Teams who wish to withdraw from the race must notify the race organisers by emailing info@rangitikeiadventurerace.comTeams withdrawing by the 28th February will be refunded 50% of entry fee. There will be no refunds for withdrawals received on or after March 1st.
Cancellation – If the event is cancelled due to circumstances outside of the organisers control entries will be deferred to a future race date. There will be no refunds given.12Hr High School Teams $149pp
Late Entry: $169
6Hr High School Entry $125pp
Late Entry: $145
3Hr School Entry $79
Late Entry $99
PAYMENT
If you are using online banking for any payments: Rangitikei Adventure Race 06-0613-0082782-02
Please use the statement details as follows…
Particulars- Race Length 3, 6 or 12 Hour
Code- Number of people in your team
Reference- YOUR TEAMS NAME- Doesn’t matter if it doesn’t all fit just do as much as you can. Once entered please don’t change you teams name as its linked to your payment)
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The schools championship events require teams of 4 people and either mixed, all male or all female.
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Mountain biking – the mountain biking will take place on gravel roads and farm land. Be prepared for some steep hills, mud and lots of up and down!
Trekking – the trekking will be a mixture of trails, streams, native bush and farmland. This can be very steep and sometimes muddy so please wear trail shoes with good grip.
Navigation – a key part of the race is navigating to the checkpoints using map and compass. No GPS allowed. Maps are provided and are generally topographical style maps. The 3 hr race will be entry level/beginner level, the 6hr race will be beginner/intermediate level with some of the checkpoints being trickier to navigate to test those wanting to push themselves.
The 12hr event will feature challenging off track navigation. Be prepared to use your compass and traverse some steep terrain.
Mystery activities – to be revealed on the day!
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We will be collecting the cell phone number from the phone you will be taking. There will be spot gear checks during the race and if you don’t have an item a 2hr time penalty will be given to your team.
The weather could be wet and cold so please bring all the clothes you require for the race. Please check the gear list carefully and ensure you have everything listed.
12 HR INDIVIDUAL GEAR (must be carried by each person)
Survival blanket or bag
Thermal top long-sleeved – Merino or Polyprop
Thermal bottoms
Fleece/Merino Top (200 weight min)long sleeves
Beanie
Whistle
Thermal gloves
Waterproof jacket – ( this must be seamed sealed ) no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, puffer jackets)
Waterproof overtrousers
Headtorch
Backpack
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Cycle helmet
Shoes
Mountain Bike (brakes must work, tires in good condition) Gravel bikes not suitable.
Rear red flashing bike light
Water
TEAM GEAR
First Aid kit – Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife, antihistamine, plasters, pain relief.
Compass -2 per team
Waterproof Topo Maps- Provided
Cell Phone (Fully Charged and turned off)
Emergency Locator Beacon
Large Gear Box 60L-120L for transition drop
6 HR INDIVIDUAL (must be carried by each person)
Survival blanket or bag
Headtorch
Thermal top long-sleeved-Merino or Polyprop
Fleece/Merino Top (200 weight min) long sleeves
Thermal bottoms Merino or Polyprop
Beanie
Thermal gloves
Whistle
Water proof Jacket-( this must be seamed sealed ) no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, puffer jackets)
Backpack
Water
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Cycle helmet
Mountain Bike(brakes must work, wheels safe, tires in good condition) Gravel bikes not suitable.
Rear Red Flashing Bike light
Shoes
Water
TEAM
First Aid kit – Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife, antihistamine, any team medication.
Compass – 2 per team
Waterproof Topo Maps – Provided
Cell Phone (Fully charged and turned off in a waterproof bag)
3HR INDIVIDUAL (must be carried by each person)
Thermal top long-sleeved-Merino or Polyprop
Beanie
Gloves
Whistle
Water proof Jacket-( this must be seamed sealed ) no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, puffer jackets)
Backpack
Water
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Cycle helmet
Mountain Bike (brakes must work, wheels safe, tires in good condition) Gravel bikes not suitable.
Rear Red Flashing Bike light
Shoes
Water
TEAM
First Aid kit – Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife, antihistamine, any team medication.
Compass – 2 per team
Waterproof Topo Maps – Provided
Cell Phone (Fully charged and turned off in a waterproof bag)
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You have several options for accommodation. There are several motels in Taihape as well as River Valley. You can also go to www.visitrangitikei.com for accommodation listing in the area.
Pukeokahu School have kindly offered their field for camping. It is a $20pp donation. There is a toilet available next to the field. Please email me at info@rangitikeiadventurerace.com to book a spot.
If you plan on bringing a campervan there will be about 6-7 spots available to park in the tar
sealed carpark.
Open Youth
Open-eligibility youth event will be hosted alongside the 3, 6 & 12 hr events at the Rangitikei Adventure Race on 21st March 2026
In addition to the North Island Secondary School Adventure Racing Championships there are open eligibility youth events. All youth teams are eligible and ranked, including teams made up of 2, 3 or 4 members; and can be from multiple schools or home schooled. Open eligibility youth teams follow the same start times as the NISSARC teams.
Results for the open-eligibility youth event will be published separately from the NISSARC results.
For the open-eligibility youth event there is no restriction on the year (aged 10-19) for the 3, 6 and 12 hour courses.
Open Youth Event:
12hr Open Youth
6hr Open Youth
3hr Open Youth
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.
