Adventurous bunch meet Cape Kidnappers challenge

More than 700 hardy souls traversed roads, ridges and rivers on Saturday for the annual Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge.

Now in its fourth year, the race is continuing to grow in popularity with participation increasing year-by-year.

The 31km course started and finished at Clifton Cafe and was broken into three stages in a circuit around Cape Kidnappers. Competitors climbed, descended and waded through rivers along the gruelling adventure route.

Race director David Tait said they were thrilled with its growing popularity. As well as raising $14,000 for Surf Life Saving Hawke's Bay, he was pleased to see plenty of youngsters taking part.

"The support we get from the community and especially the landowners is just superb," he said. "The money we raised will literally save lives for many years to come, which we're pretty chuffed about."

Although organisers were "kind of annoyed" when a group of tourists had decided to follow the race across private property, he said there were no issues. "One of the reasons I did this is to encourage young people to get out there, and I was really impressed with how many young people were out there. We're chuffed, we love seeing them out there and being in the adventure, and being positive."

The adventure element of the race was important and a noticeable factor in its success, Mr Tait said.

"When I set up the event I wanted it to be an adventure. We didn't have to put them [competitors] down the river ... But the adventure is very important, it's key.

"I think it's certainly different to a road race and I think, or I know, I get a lot of people that go out there just to see the place, just to experience the adventure."