On a calm and balmy summer evening 16 teams of hardened Scouts, Explorers and leaders gathered in the car park of Thorndon Country Park ready to race across 10 miles of treacherous footpaths to Thriftwood, and the finish line of the Forest Boundary hike.

After signing in, and a brief rundown of the rules the first teams were off, heading into the gloom with their maps in hand.

Most groups cruised to check point one with only a few minor detours, but then the confusing footpaths and meandering route started to take their toll, with some teams returning to check point one after a good few hours walking around in the fields.

From check point two to three it was the 5 foot high bean fields that sapped the strength of the teams, by now mostly moving in the dark by torchlight.

A brief respite in the shape of a disused road between the next checkpoints allowed the teams to recover a little before the long stretch back to Thriftwood, following footpaths all the way.

Those that made it back were greeted with a hot drink and a hotdog, and in some cases a great view of the sun rising above the trees.

After sleeping over for the few remaining hours of the night everybody was up bright and breezy, cooking breakfast and taking down tents before the presentation.

Russell Vaughan