Whakatāne’s Julian’s Berry Farm Toi’s Challenge has proven it’s as popular as ever with another successful event held last weekend in which local athletes took the top honours.

Sunday morning saw hundreds of runners and walkers line up at the Whakatāne Athletic and Harrier Club, determined to take on the demanding 18km course. Showcasing the best the region has to offer, the route traverses the scenic Ngā Tapuwae o Toi track, taking in coastal views, sandy beaches, and finally the inland forest on the way to the finish.

Event organiser William Doney is proud of the support the event continues to receive from local businesses and the community.

“The community support has been amazing. Each year I think this will be my last, but I keep coming back because of the support we get for such an iconic event,” said Doney.

“It’s the public, volunteers, and sponsors who make this event what it is. It’s great to see the continued support, especially considering how tough things are for a lot of people.”

Perfect weather greeted competitors this year, and the response from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

“We had entries from as far away as Christchurch, but it was our local runners who really did well,” Doney said.

Whakatāne’s Campbell Gray took out the men’s title while Brittney Litton from Coastlands stormed home to secure the top female spot.

For Gray, Toi’s Challenge was a new experience, and with no pre-planned strategy, he chose simply to run his own race.

“I hit the top of the Bird Walk stairs and looked back to see no one had decided to stick with me, so I just looked ahead and paced myself,” said Gray.

Life hasn’t been easy for Gray, who underwent surgery for a near-fatal brain injury when a hockey ball fractured his skull. Not one to stay down for long, he has since completed the Motu Challenge and last year’s Coast to Coast. He finished Toi’s in a time of 01:34:44.

“Being a local event, it’s an honour to have your name alongside some of the past winners who are legends in the sport,” he said.

Litton was also thrilled with her result. After placing 38th last year, she learned valuable lessons that shaped her strategy this time.

“My strategy this year was to attack the climbs and ease back on the downhill sections. I may have been overly cautious on the Bird Walk steps, but it meant I’d be in one piece at the bottom,” she said.

“I thought I was in second place, but the woman in front of me must have been in a team, so I was happy to take first, especially at a local event.”

Litton is now preparing for the Ultraman event in Noosa, Australia next year, where she will tackle the gruelling three-day, 515km swim, run, and cycle course.