Yesterday saw the return of the adrenaline-pumping Mitre10 Ōpōtiki O-Mazing Race.

Teams of four to five assembled at 10am in the Opotiki isite carpark to register and after receiving the first set of clues it was a race against time as competitors completed a series of fun and challenging tasks, solving clues to reach the finish line first and be crowned the winning team.

Race organiser Iranui Huriwai was pleased it was a sunny day for the event.

“The turnout was a bit smaller this year with less holidaymakers and more locals, probably due to the time of year and road closures, but we had six teams of locals with three of the teams returning from last year.

“The winning team, called the ‘Fastish Five’, came fifth last year and were determined to take out the title this year.

“All up, there were 21 stops and challenges and competitors got to see a lot of the more unique parts of town as well as new things like the Scooptopia on St John Street as well as taking part in challenges like the Spin-on Spin-off at Memorial Park, the rather messy bucket race at Ohui Domain and The Wheel of Not Ideal at the Ōpōtiki Golf Club, which involved some rather interesting putting techniques.

“We try and explore some of the more overlooked areas of town as well as things people may not be aware of in Opotiki.”