Are You Trying to Kill Us? by Andy Reid. Published by Adventure Racing Coromandel, 2025, $60 

This intriguingly titled book is a 20-year history of Adventure Racing Coromandel (ARC). The longest-running annual event of its kind, it was co-founded by Andy Reid and Keith Stephenson.  

The story starts in 2001 when adventure racing was in its infancy. News that an Auckland promoter was planning to set up a race on the peninsula spurred Reid and Stephenson into action. “The scheming started, and within a week we had decided to set up our own race and beat the bugger to it.”

Told in 20 chapters, one for each year, the book recounts standout moments and memories from the ARC community. It includes plenty of photos and is narrated in Reid’s lively and accessible voice.  

Of course they weren’t trying to kill people, he concludes – that would require too much paperwork. “And yet [they] kept coming back. With smiles, duct tape and a slightly questionable sense of judgment.”

The book is also a tribute to Stephenson, who died in 2021. His vision inspired generations, saw 20,000 kauri trees planted, and created Coromandel township’s first mountain bike park. All proceeds go towards maintaining the bike park.