Fun runners catered for in mountains relay

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 294, 11 July 1989, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fun runners catered for in mountains relay

This year's Around the Mountains Relay will be both a fun run and a serious competition for New Zealand runners' clubs.

The event has been scheduled for 18 November and some of the grades have been dropped. The date has been set

then because of accommodation limitations earlier in November, when the run is normally held, due to Army exercises.

Race organiser Tom Cook said the grades in this year's race would be Men's Open, Women's Open, Composite and Youth as well as the ultra grades. He said the Veteran's Grade was being dropped to avoid the problems with policing entries in the grade. He said there had been a number of protests in the past associated with the Veteran's Grade. So far more than 300 unsolicited entries have been received for the race, which this year will have a limit of 1800 runners. Tom Cook said the limit was due to the accommodation problems of past years. He scotched rumours that the race would be limited to Army personnel. Prize money offered at this stage will be well over $4000 and it is hoped each entrant

will receive an entry package. The main sponsor for the event is once again DB Draught. Prizes will be given to the first three place getters in each grade plus spot prizes. The course will follow the normal route, from Waiouru up the Desert Road past the eastern flanks of Ruapehu to the Rangipo turn-off, across past Lake Rotoaira and below Mt Tongariro, turning south west towards and through National Park, Ohakune and back to Waiouru. A fee of $30 for each entrant covers the race, breakfast on the day, a cut lunch, dinner and entry into the evening after-race function. Accommodation in the camp is free, but runners have to provide their own bedding.