Lying in a Nelson Hospital bed nine months ago, adventure racer Brendan Hickman decided to enter the GODZONE team event in Marlborough.
The Nelson Vets managing director was there for eight days, recovering from a collapsed lung after he came off his bike at the Saxton Velodrome.
“Then the biggest challenge was putting together a four-person team because we all had days jobs,” says Brendan.
But he duly formed the Nelson Vets Gearshop team with three other vastly experienced competitors – Sakkie Meyer, Rachel Baker and navigator Dave Quested.
Dave and Rachel took out the inaugural Gearshop Tasman Adventure Race a year ago and also raced with Sakkie, but it was the first time the trio had joined forces with Brendan.
And they went out and beat the elements in what’s been described as the toughest GODZONE ever, finishing third of the 20 teams, behind the star-studded Pure Team 7 Rab in the 12th chapter of the multi-sport race.
“We took six and a half days, and we were over the moon with our result. It was beyond our expectations,” enthuses Brendan, who was team leader and competing in the New Zealand event for the seventh time.
The team only had three hours to study the maps before the trekking, packrafting and mountainbiking expedition started in Marlborough.
“We realised it was a huge course and relatively brutal.”
A challenge that became even tougher when an extreme weather bomb hit the region and prompted course changes.
“It became a race of attrition, and you had to pace yourselves. Rather than go hard against your closest competition, you had to look after your bodies, especially your feet, when you were dragging 15kg of packrafts and other gear,” says Brendan.
Whitewater paddling in the Pelorus River was a highlight for Rachel.
“The Richmond Range was just like being back home,” declares Rachel.
“It was perfect teamwork. We are great mates, and all worked well together,” adds Sakkie.
After the final kayak into Picton’s Shelly Beach, Brendan summed up his latest GODZONE.
“It was huge. Don’t underestimate Marlborough.”
He was back at work the next day, much to the surprise of some of his colleagues.
"I was pretty tired with a bit of brain fog.”
So, what is the enduring appeal of the gutbusting Godzone?
“I lead a busy life, so this event is very primal. You eat, drink and look after your mates. It puts the rest of your life in perspective,” concludes the 47-year-old.
