All twelve teams gathered at the water’s edge this morning for the final day of Hillary Challenge 2026, and once again Tongariro turned on perfect racing conditions. 

A fun tradition on the last day of the week is that the staff dress up. This year’s theme was birds, and there was plenty of plumage on show supporting the teams. 

The race began with an 8km relay on inflatable Maverick kayaks, paddled in pairs. Each pair paddled a 2km loop before the whole team set off on a 7km run to a transition point. Middleton Grange School, Cashmere High School and Motueka High School led the pack off the water, with the rest of the teams close behind. 

At the transition point, teams jumped into their vans and drove to the start of Stage 2: a 27km mountain bike ride along existing tracks and markers, finishing back at the stage start.  

Stage 3 began with team managers lovingly laying out refuelling snacks and drinks as teams transitioned from bike to foot. The final challenge was an 8km run through the bush to the finish line. 

After some well-earned rest and recovery, teams will head to the final dinner with Hillary Outdoors staff and the instructors who ran with them on the Rogaine. Prizegiving follows, and results and photos from the night will be shared on social media early next week. 

Day 5 Final times (hr:min) 

Cashmere High School: 4:44 
Middleton Grange School: 4:55 
Motueka High School 5:00 
Whakatāne High School & Trident High School 5:02 
St Andrew’s College 5:03 
New Plymouth Girls’/Boys’ High School 5:04 
Westlake Girls/Boys High School 5:07 
Rotorua Lakes High School 5:14 
Fiordland College 5:21 
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School/Christchurch Boys’ High School 5:38 
Whangamata Area School 5:41 
John Paul College 6:05