Rutherford students (plus 6 very game staff members) headed out to the Tough Guy/Gal Challenge

On Thursday 31st July, 70 of our Rutherford students (plus 6 very game staff members) headed out to the Kumeu Showgrounds for the annual Tough Guy/Gal Challenge. 

We came together with more than a 1000 students from all over the region. 

Thanks to some heavy rains leading up to the event, the course made sure the obstacles were extra challenging. Mud everywhere, slippery hills that were more like slides and ponds of cold water. 

The encouragement between students and staff was awesome to watch and you could tell the real win was in the experience itself, not just the finish line. 

Big congratulations to Hamish Mackay and Rosie Simpson, who both took out first place in the teachers’ divisions — Hamish in the men’s and Rosie in the women’s. 

Massive kudos to everyone who braved the mud. We’ll see you at the 2026 challenge.

by Gill Bloxham