Motatapu Wins Prestigious Industry Award

The Motatapu won the most prestigious award for Best Established Event 2010 in the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals (NZAEP) this week.

Acknowledged for what the event brings to Otago, judges said the Motatapu offers strong community and spectator engagement. It has constantly innovated and rejuvenated itself to bring economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to the area.

“We had a vision of the Motatapu being a big scale event. In only six years it is now a “must do” event on the sporting calendar and has reached an iconic status. This award recognises all the hard work of the people who helped us get here; our competitors, volunteers, partners and staff”, says Tracey Neil, Event Director.
The Motatapu has also inspired other race directors around the country. Jason Cameron, Race Director of the T42 event in Auckland, publicly thanked Motatapu at the awards for “setting such a high standard for other multisport races to aspire to” while accepting his NZAEP Award for Best Emerging Event 2010.

The Motatapu was up against Auckland’s AUT Maori Expo in the final after being selected from 37 other entries from across New Zealand by a panel of judges made up of industry specialists.

“The Motatapu shows innovation as a continually evolving event” said the NZAEP. This year the Motatapu added two new events to the race; the Adventure Run, a 49km four-peak traverse designed to push elite multisport enthusiasts to new limits; and the Miner’s Trail, a 15km run/walk along an historic and spectacular trail aimed at those that prefer shorter distances or who are just getting into off-road events.

Entries are now open for the next Motatapu which is on 12 March 2011.