The Teenagers of Team Fear Youth Finish GODZone

Press Release / 12.03.2022

"I just did Godzone and it was pretty amazing."

Those were words of Molly Spark, part of team FearYouth (79) who crossed the finish line of Godzone Chapter 10 on Brighton Beach, mid morning on Day 9.

Just 18 years old, she and her team, who are all in their late teens, had a wonderful adventure and learned plenty about themselves and the sport of adventure racing during this past week.
They finished unranked, but that did not dampen the excitement they felt at the finish line, after taking part in what some would describe as the toughest adventure race in the world. 

Seeing her mum and dad at the transitions was a highlight for Molly, as was the downhill section of the Stage 8 Nevis mountain bike ride, and the hilarity of attempting to wake one of the team mates up when he fell asleep on the packraft.

“There is a 100% chance I will be back for more, it was the best race ever.” She said.

The Spark family trip to GODZOne Chapter 10 was supposed to have a bit of a different theme though. 

Molly’s dad Paul Spark and uncle Geoff Spark were in team Hillbillies (57), but unfortunately Paul suffered an ankle injury during the Stage 3 packraft/trek, which caused him to withdraw, and the rest of the team later decided not to continue either. 

Paul has six GODZone’s under his belt, so although he was disappointed not to be racing the entire Chapter his daughter was also competing in, he accepted that’s just the way adventure racing goes sometimes. 

“And it meant I got to support Molly, and that was great.” 

Paul is thrilled to see her involved in this sport, providing opportunities to see more places in New Zealand than most 18 year-olds already.

“And that’s pretty cool,” he said. 

Paul added that it’s a healthy sport, and a million times better than being on a screen.

Molly agreed, and said although one of her pinkie toes is very sore, she knows it’ll heal. 
She and Paul agreed she’ll soon be ready to get out there again.

“I’ll remember this for the rest of my life,” said Molly, with a massive smile. 

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