The gruelling 40-hour endurance challenge, founded by Tauranga Boys’ College, returns this year with fresh energy and expanded support.

The purpose of the annual Fortress 40 challenge was to test resilience, build brotherhood and raise awareness and funds for men’s mental health through Movember New Zealand.

Movember NZ involves the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s suicide.

To add to the momentum, nine previous Fortress 40 participants are returning from university and work to support this year’s team, Tauranga Boys’ College (TBC) teacher Gemma Cook said.

“Their presence underpins the growing legacy of Fortress 40 and the bonds it creates beyond school years.”

This is the third year the challenge would run. It begins at midnight on Friday, September 12 and will run continuously until 4pm on Saturday, September 13, finishing on Nicholson Field at the college.

“This year, Fortress 40 continues to grow beyond TBC, with Rotorua Boys’ High School, Gisborne Boys’ High School and Napier Boys’ High School running their own versions of the challenge simultaneously across the North Island,” Cook said.

The Fortress 40 challenge begins at midnight on Friday and will run continuously until 4pm on Saturday.

“Following the successful format of the past two years, the challenge once again calls on students to push themselves through 40 hours of relentless physical and mental activity.”

The programme includes Mount Maunganui runs, boxing at Youth Central, waka ama at Pilot Bay, recovery sessions at Resilience Recovery, reformer pilates at KX Pilates Bethlehem, plus gym work, circuit training and four “brutal surf torture” sessions at Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach.

TBC head prefect Sam Cross said the nerves had well and truly started to kick in. “I can’t wait to get behind this great cause with an amazing group of people,” Cross said.

“Looking forward to pushing our limits as a team to show our community that it is okay to not be okay.”

Runs are part of the Fortress 40 challenge.

TBC deputy head prefect and arts captain Micah Jennings was keen to get 2025’s Fortress 40 under way.

“I know it’s going to be one of the toughest challenges I’ll ever face, but the cause is the reason I’m all in. Can’t wait to get stuck in with the boys.”

TBC student prefect Riley Hudson said the boys would give it their all.

Student prefect Liam Louw said after coming off a recent physical setback: “I’m working hard to earn my fitness back and become the perfect candidate for the Fortress 40.”

Gym work and circuit training are among the arduous activities the Tauranga Boys' College 2024 Fortress 40 participants will take part in.

TBC student prefect Tommy Shorter said doing all the training helped him to realise the importance of this event for the community, because it spread awareness and created a space where people could come out of hiding and say they were feeling depressed or don’t know what they’re feeling, and the boys could be there for them.

“Fortress 40 is a way of feeling the emotional and mental pain that others endure as we experience this tough physical challenge.

“Honestly, to me, this challenge is all about bringing our mental health to the surface through our physical pain as a kind of focus.

“I’m so thrilled to be a part of Fortress 40, even though I’m still pretty scared.”

Waka ama is a part of the Fortress 40 challenge.

Three of the four surf torture sessions at Mount Maunganui Main Beach would be accompanied by school-run sausage sizzles, to give supporters the chance to donate to Movember.

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell is set to attend Friday’s sausage sizzle, which runs from 12pm-2.30pm.

One of the Tauranga Boys' College 2024 Fortress 40 participants said the challenge was "a way of feeling the emotional and mental pain that others endure".

“A highlight of the weekend will be the rugby training session at Bay Oval from 8pm-10pm Friday, marking the halfway point of the challenge,” Cook said.

She said the community was encouraged to come down and cheer the lads on as they dig deep in the toughest hours of the event. “The boys are also excited to be joined at this session by Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford, showing his support by taking part alongside them.

“Every moment of encouragement makes a difference in helping these young men push through the toughest 40 hours of their lives.”

For updates, schedules, and ways to support, follow Tauranga Boys’ College on Instagram @fortress40_tbc.

To donate to Movember NZ, visit: https://nz.movember.com/team/2441787.