Kepler Challenge Committee initiatives

As a community run event and a registered charity CC36502, an important goal for the Organising Committee is to support community projects in Fiordland. One such cause, which we hope no runners will need to make use of during the event weekend, was the over-stretched medical centre in Te Anau which has now been replaced with an excellent new facility, party due to funds from the Kepler Challenge Committee and runners.

Charity Challenge

Every year the organising committee offer 15 'Charity Challenge' spaces at a cost of $1000 each.  For this donation runners receive entry into the Kepler Challenge event before the online registration system opens, an event t-shirt and breakfast, courtesy of the Organising Committee. 

The $15,000 raised from the spaces is given to the designated charity for that year. In it's first year, funds from the 'Charity Challenge' were donated to the Fiordland Health Trust to help fund the new medical centre in Te Anau. Since then the scheme has also contributed funds to the Te Anau Scouts, Mararoa School, Fiordland Kindergarten and Te Anau Youth Club.

Local Volunteer Outward Bound Leadership Sponsorship

Another new initiative started in 2008 by the Organising Committee was the sponsorship of a local volunteer on an 8 day Outward Bound Leadership course.

This is drawn on race weekend for eligible volunteers who must register their intention to complete the course to be eligible. The Organising Committee feels it is important to foster leadership, teamwork and communication qualities in a small community like Te Anau and hope that this initiative continues for many years to come.

Birdsong Project

The Kepler Challenge Committee has a committment to the area and as part of this set up a Birdsong Project aimed at reducing the number of stoats and other predators on the Kepler Track.

The 'ring-fencing' of the track through this initiative has lead to a wider stoat trapping scheme for the whole Kepler Penninsular. Part of this has been started under Kids Restore and local schools with the help of DOC and the Fiordland Conservation Trust.