Kiwi adventure races smashes 'Everest' at home

TOP veteran multisport and adventure racer Kath Kelly had been planning to race in Canada this year, but with the cancellation of that trip, plus her other domestic events due to COVID-19, she took on an epic ‘Everesting’ challenge from home at the weekend.

Everesting, named after the highest mountain on earth, takes in a gruelling 20,029 feet (8,848m) of elevation gain.

Kath, an ambassador for CurraNZ, set up her turbo in her living room, modified her bike with the lower gears required for the tough climbs, and used the virtual biking platform Zwift for the 12-15 hour challenge.

“I’m hoping to defer my entry to the bike race in Canada until 2021. I also had the Contact Hawea Epic mountain bike race which was to be held on the 18^th of April, which I’ve competed in every year since its inaugural event in 2007, which was cancelled.  She says: “Covid19 has changed a lot of things for everyone. I am thankful I am healthy and I believe CurraNZ does help me to have an even stronger immune system. 

“So, my new goal was to do something EPIC on the 18th of April - and I did Everest!’