Are you as fast as an Olympian? The POWERADE Challenge 2012 gives Kiwis the chance to find out.

Kicking off on 1 June – eight weeks out from the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games – through to 31 July, the POWERADE Challenge dares sportspeople to go up against some of New Zealand’s top athletes by taking part in an interactive running course in either Auckland (9km) or Wellington (8km).

Participants register online at www.powerade.co.nz as an individual or as part of a team, and receive a special RFID interactive wristband which they scan at the start and finish of the course to log their time.

Not only are participants’ names displayed on a giant digital billboard to encourage them while running the course, their times automatically upload to the online leaderboard at www.powerade.co.nz. Runners can see where they rank – and whether they’ve outrun benchmarks set by NZ Olympians like Alison Shanks and Hamish Carter.

On completion of the run, everyone who participates goes into the draw for weekly prizes and will receive a bottle of POWERADE – formulated with carbohydrates and electrolytes that are designed to be in balance with your body's fluids for fast and effective hydration.

The POWERADE Challenge 2012 ambassador, world cycling champ Alison Shanks says, “I’m proud to support the POWERADE Challenge and hope Kiwi sportspeople will take up the opportunity to get out there and complete their course.

“Whatever your sport, you don’t get to be a top athlete without incorporating running or cardio into your regime, and this is a great call to action to encourage Kiwis to get out there and get moving,” says Shanks. “The challenge has been set, New Zealand!”

Olympic Gold medallist Hamish Carter (triathlon), Bronze medallist Nathan Twaddle (rowing) and swimming champion Moss Burmester will be the first to run the course when the POWERADE Challenge 2012 launches on 1 June.

Paul Fitzgerald, General Manager Coca-Cola Oceania, says, “Coca-Cola is a longstanding partner of the Olympic Games, so we’re excited about bringing a little bit of the London 2012 Olympic Games competitive spirit to New Zealand with the POWERADE Challenge.

“POWERADE has been fuelling Kiwi sportspeople for years and one of the things we’ve learned during that time is that New Zealanders love a bit of healthy competition. More than 2,000 people registered in the first POWERADE Challenge, we’re hoping to see that number plus more in 2012,” says Fitzgerald.

The POWERADE Challenge 2012 takes place in Auckland and Wellington from 1 June – 31 July. See http://www.powerade.co.nz/challenge for more details.

Course information:

• The Auckland POWERADE Challenge starts and finishes at the Auckland Ferry Terminal on Quay St – participants scan their wristbands at the special vending machine located at the Terminal entrance next to The Cloud. The course runs along Quay Street and Tamaki Drive to the halfway point at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.

• The Wellington POWERADE Challenge starts and finishes at The New Zealand Olympic Museum on Queens Wharf – participants scan their wristbands at the special vending machine located outside the Museum. The course runs along Oriental Parade to the halfway point at Balaena Bay changing rooms.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Shimano MTB Grand Prix draws out endurance racing talent
The U23 Australian National 24H Solo Champion Mark Tupalski won round three of the SHIMANO MTB Grand Prix endurance racing series at Ourimbah MTB Park near Wyong on the weekend.

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

CYCLING
Vink finishes commendable fifth in prestigious tour in Germany
Christchurch cyclist Michael Vink has finished a commendable fifth place in the week-long International Thuringen Rundfahrt in Germany.

Monday, 17 June 2013

TRIATHLON
Companies invited to rise to the Challenge
Challenge Wanaka, New Zealand's largest annual triathlon festival, has launched the Challenge Wanaka Corporate Trophy – a brand new race category for corporate teams complete with a host of motivational, team building and promotional benefits.

Friday, 14 June 2013

TRACK CYCLING
Dawkins claims keirin victory in Paris
Southland's Eddie Dawkins has continued his strong form with victory in the Grand Prix cycling meet in Paris today.

Friday, 14 June 2013

BMX
Red Bull Framed Reactions 2013
For the first time in history a BMX competition took place at a course with moving elements and course-rider-interaction.

Friday, 14 June 2013

CYCLING
A new study reveals rampant doping on The Tour from 1994 onwards
A decade of systemic doping on the Tour De France begun in the mid 90s according to a controversial new French cycling magazine released today.

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

CYCLING
More cycling success for New Zealand riders
New Zealand cyclists have enjoyed podium success on both sides of the Atlantic over the weekend.

Monday, 10 June 2013

TRIATHLON
Crawford runner-up in Ironman Cairns
Wanaka’s Gina Crawford finished runner-up at Ironman Cairns today after a major battle with Olympic-distance convert Liz Blatchford today.

Sunday, 9 June 2013

TRIATHLON
Warriner and Docherty atop the podium in busy triathlon weekend
Sam Warriner has returned to the winners circle, taking out today’s Ironman 70.3 race in Cairns, Australia.

Sunday, 9 June 2013

TRIATHLON
Docherty Wins 70.3 Boise USA
Olympic Silver medallist Bevan Docherty has proven the move from ITU triathlon to the longer form of racing has paid dividends, winning Ironman NZ in March and today claiming victory at 70.3 Boise USA.

Sunday, 9 June 2013

TRIATHLON
Sam Warriner takes out Ironman 70.3 Cairns in style
Near perfect conditions set the day in Cairns early on today.

Sunday, 9 June 2013

CYCLING
In-form Vink on cycling podium in Germany
Christchurch cyclist Michael Vink has made a strong start to the latest tour race for the BikeNZ squad in Germany today.

Sunday, 9 June 2013

Endurance Sport news is powered by infonews.co.nz