Keeping the wheels spinning
By Dan Hutchinson and Chris Marshall
As the cyclists line up again this weekend for the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge , behind the scenes hundreds of volunteers and community groups are giving and gaining from the event.
The event attracts 3000 competitors and about 5000 supporters, and has an economy all of its own, that ripples right around the Taupō District.
About $300,000 is spent on local contractors to stage the event but there are also about 400 volunteers, giving up time in exchange for donations to lots of different cause.
Called Contact Energy Volunteers, after the major sponsor, they have received $1,044,000 over the past 12 events to support their fundraising efforts.
Marotiri School provides about 12-14 people for road marshalling and aid stations each year.
Principal Rose Symes says money raised goes a long way to helping families pay for things like school camps.
“We tend to tag it to education outside the classroom.”
“The kids enjoy it, parents enjoy it and it's a good team builder as well.”
They are just one of about 30 organisations thaty help out at the event.
Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge race director Hayden Dickason.
Brendon (Hākuwai) Eriksen-Downs, chief executive of Te Hapori Ora - The Village of Wellbeing, says, for them it is not just a fundraising opportunity, a way to bring their team and community together.
Te Hapori Ora delivers educational wellness wānanga, suicide prevention and intervention services, and a range of initiatives that support the health, development, and resilience of individuals and whānau.
They provide about six to 12 volunteers for the cycle challenge every year, with additional support from their whānau.
“Our team has helped in a variety of roles — including marshalling, aid station support, traffic management, and general event duties. No matter where we’re placed, we show up with energy and a willingness to contribute.”
Event director Hayden Dickason says there is a core team of three people that work during the course of the year to plan everything.
That team swells to over 400 people by this Saturday.
“The majority are from community groups, local community groups, who use the opportunity, they give their time as individuals, but basically give their time for their group, whether it's a school or a club … and then we remunerate that school or club for the time given.”
The event is run by a charitable trust overseen by Lake Taupō Rotary. In addition to the money raised by individual groups, any surplus from the event is also injected back into the community through Rotary.
He says about 96% of those taking part in the event are from out of town and there are about 1.5 supporters for every competitor.
With 3000 people taking part, it is the largest cycling event of its kind in New Zealand.
A Contact spokesperson says the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is a fantastic example of how sport, wellbeing, and community impact can come together, “and we’re thrilled to be part of it.”
