One NZ Godzone Chapter 12 was described as one of the toughest rounds yet.

The Godzone Shelly Beach finish line in Picton was buzzing as leading Pure Team 7 Rab took out the event, winning the race in a finish time of 6 days, 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Whakatāne’s Sam Clark, Sophie Hart, who is ex-Ōhope, Chris Forne and Simone Maier were welcomed by a large crowd of friends, family and supporters.

Across the line, team captain Chris Forne described the race as the toughest one to date.

“My feelings, by comparison to other Godzone chapters, are that this was probably the toughest course because of the length and physical nature.

“It was a big course with a lot of weight carried over high vertical areas, a lot of physical on the ground, and that does wear you down, so by the end the team is moving slower,” he said.

Rab was the only team to finish the entire 613km course, aside for not climbing Mt Stokes on the stage 7-pack raft and trek because of a weather-related directive by race officials.

Forne said he really enjoyed the course.

“There was good variety from travelling way out in the Molesworth’s area, which was quite special, then through a red hill area, down the Pelorus – it was exciting to get out to those places, having not done much in this  region before.”

Clark, who was a late replacement, describes the course: “The course was designed to make you suffer and offer no reprieve through all stages.

“We raced the first 50 hours and only then got two hours’ sleep,” he said.

Over the six days, the team racked up a meagre 15 hours’ sleep.

Tiki Tour placed second, with Nelson Vets Gearshop in third.