GZ Life
Meet Our Team
Putting together a world class event of this scale, distance and duration is not easy. Expedition events throw up unique challenges and when you consider how far teams and logistics can be stretched, how unpredictable the weather can be, how hard it is to provide up-to-date live coverage when teams are in the middle of nowhere, you can understand why Race Directors look so haggard before the event even begins. We wanted to get it right from the start and that meant finding individuals capable of ensuring seamless delivery and the very best experience for the participants. We doubt that a more experienced group has ever been involved in putting together an expedition adventure race.
WARREN BATES
EVENT CREATOR
2009 Adventure Racing World Champion, 11 World Championships (including five top 6 finishes), over 30 expedition races covering most continents.
ANNA BASTIN
EVENT MANAGER
Competed in various endurance races including the Southern Traverse and 24hr World Rogaine Championships. Loves any event that involves a map.
ADAM FAIRMAID
RACE DIRECTOR
Southern Traverse winner, adventure race career spanning over 20 years, and veteran of many expedition length races, including Eco Challenge.
MARGO BERRYMAN
MEDIA MANAGER
Magazine publishing, radio broadcast, television production and communications. Managing editor of QT, Life Synergy, and Style Magazines.
IAN EDMOND
TECH MANAGER
20 years adventure racing, multiple international podium placings, and a computer science degree, Ian brings a unique knowledge and experience to the team.
JANE MCCURDY
COMMS & LOGISTICS
Worked and competed at Southern Traverse and Primal Quest, Jane brings a wealth of experience to the team with comms and logistics a specialty.
ANNABELLE LATZ
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Instagram guru, journalist, photographer, ultra runner, horse whisperer, sheep musterer, media motivator with a love of adventure and outdoors.
WAYNE ALLEN
EVENT SAFETY MANAGER
Queenstown-based NZMGA ski guide, avalanche management, water safety, traffic safety, medic and extensive work for the film industry.
KEREN MCSKIMMING
COMPETITOR LIAISON
Keen multisporter, competed in the Spring Challenge and Wild Descent race. A history of volunteering for adventure races and supporting teams in the past.
PAULA ROGERS
VOLUNTEER MANAGER
Our most popular crew member who helps organise our amazing volunteers. Coordinates Netball Southland, supported winning team at Southern Traverse.
ROSEMARY PARKIN
COMMS & HQ MANAGEMENT
Worked on multiple GODZone events, Rosemary has that special ability to manage a busy HQ and stay up all night and keep comms and logistics running smoothly.
NEIL JONES
LOCATION SPECIALIST
Neil has competed all over the world at the very highest level. He brings an amazing wealth of knowledge about the North Island terrain and will be integral to course design.