MSD NZ Team 1 pass Lion Rock on the final stretch to a third placing in the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race
Merck Sharp & Dohme NZ was among the medals at the recent inaugural Cure Kids Great Adventure Race, held on Auckland's wild west coast.
An MSD NZ team placed third in the event out of 22 teams, traversing the challenging coastal course in 5 hours 41 minutes – 11 minutes behind the winners from Cadburys.
And the bronze might have had a gold sheen, had the team, which included the company’s NZ medical director Dr David Woolner, not gone to the aid of an injured rider on the bike leg of the race. The stoppage lost the team more than 20 minutes but gained many friends.
MSD’s second team struck a few hitches but managed to complete the race within the scheduled time.
Cure Kids benefited from the event through the $10,000 entrance money for each team. On top of a company donation, MSD NZ ran a series of fundraisers to achieve the required sum and more – ultimately handing over a cheque for $23,000 to Cure Kids.
MSD NZ managing director Alister Brown said the event was a fantastic way for the company to get behind a worthy cause and at the same time provide a challenging experience for team members. “A large number of staff worked very hard to get the team members to the start line.”
MSD team captains Simon Holland and Mike Taylor said the race was both exhilarating and testing. Mike: “This is the type of challenge which can completely redefine your view on life. It certainly gave me a sense of my own capabilities - both strengths and weaknesses. But, as in life, you quickly adapt to the circumstances you’re in by playing to your strengths and the strengths and talents of those around you.”
Simon: “It was an amazing adventure that pushed the team to the extreme: geographically, physically and mentally… I hope every MSD employee has the opportunity to do something like this one day.”
Still smiling after nine hours - MSD NZ's teams and support crew at the finish line post-race
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