Motu Challenge helped shape Clark’s career

Photo Mike Kelly E1653-717

Sports reporter

ONE person who will miss the Motu Challenge is six-time winner Sam Clark.

Whakatāne’s Clark has participated in 19 of the 31 Motu Challenges, either as an individual or part of a team.

It is always a race he’s enjoyed and there’s been plenty of exciting battles over the years with the likes of Dougall Allan, Sam Manson and Brad McNamara.

When he heard it would be the final edition, he did not hesitate to sign up.

“Jarrod [Teddy] is a good mate of mine and when he told me it was going to be the last one, I wanted to make sure I took part. That was the plan. There was no question about it.

“I will miss it. I found out on race day that it was my 19th time taking part in it. It will definitely leave a big hole in my race calendar,” he said.

“Without events like Motu over the years, I wouldn’t have gotten into multisport as much as I did.”

Clark said it was a special moment being able to take out the final Motu Challenge.

“Obviously due to the circumstances and the rahui in place, we weren’t able to do the kayak or the original course and that’s fully understandable, but it is also interesting that in the 31 years of the race it was the first time the contingency course had been used.”

Due to the kayak leg being pulled, times were a lot quicker.

“One of the nice things is we got to the finish line a lot earlier and all just sat in the sunshine and had a nice time catching up with friends and family.”

Clark admits to being pushed throughout the race.

“Lachlan Haycock, an up-and-coming triathlete, gave it a crack and he really tested me. He was a training partner for Dylan McCullough. He is a very accomplished athlete and made it hard work, but it was nice to be pushed to the limit.”

A four-time Coast-to-Coast winner, Clark said the Motu Challenge had helped him prepare for New Zealand’s hardest multisport race.

He feels now there’s potentially a gap in the calendar for many up-and-coming multisport athletes from the North Island.

“It will mean a lot of North Islanders who have turned up to the Coast to Coast in February may not have been fully tested. Multisport events seem to be a dying breed especially in the North Island.”

Clark feels for the organising crew and acknowledges what a fabulous job they have done over the years.

“It’s the same people who have been putting it together now for well over 20 years like Rosalee Teddy and they are kind of a bit tired from doing it for so long. As much as I am sad to see it go, I completely see where it is coming from.”

Clark continues to be involved in multisport and adventure racing – a month ago he was in China doing a team adventure race – but he has full-time job now, so is not involved at the same level as he was a few years ago.

As for having another go at the Coast to Coast, Clark said “never say never”.

Likewise for the Tour of Southland, which he did a few years ago.  

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