Not many nine-year-olds can claim to be a Grand Champion of anything, let alone a capital city race.
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But Parkes boy Xander Greef can.
Not only was he awarded the Sydney XRACE Grand Champion as well as the age group champion for nine-year-old boys, he also did it in a time of 35 minutes and 43 seconds – almost a minute faster than the next competitor.
Xander took part in the Sydney XRACE at Olympic Park on Sunday, October 21, with his father Daniel.
Daniel said XRACE is a mystery adventure race held annually in each capital city and is primarily about strengthening parent/child relationships.
“It is an event that is run in teams of a parent and child,” he said.
“Over a distance of around three kilometres there are ten challenges to get through.
“Some are physical, like forming a line with two other teams holding hands and getting a hoop from one end if the line to the other without using your hands.
“Or being blind folded and having your team member guide you through a course, or mental challenges based on memory, or building a certain object with blocks.
“There are also relationship building activities such as the child tying a tie on their parent then making them up with nail polish or eye shadow and lip stick.
“It was a great event and lots of fun.
“The highlight for me was working with my son and seeing how much joy he got out of working on the challenges, then finishing the race together.”
Almost 550 teams took part in the Sydney event where 1,173 of the 1,596 entrants finished the race.
Xander thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The XRACE was amazing because I had a lot of fun doing it with Dad,” he said.
“The best bit was the challenge of tying a tie on Dad and painting his nails.
“I was quite surprised about winning it, it still doesn’t seem real.”
Visit www.xrace.com.au
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