Mts to Sea may run annually

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 360, 30 October 1990, Page 16

Mts to Sea may run annually

The Labour Weekend Mountains to the Sea multisports event may be held annually after the success of this year's event.

Over 300 people took part in the three-day run, kayak and cycle race from Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu to Castlecliff in Wanganui, via the Wanganui River. Organiser Dave Bamford said last week that many of the 320 competitors had asked that they run it again next year. "We already have competitors lining up for next year's race," he said. The 1990 Official Project was the second time the event had been held - the first time being in 1987 as part of the centennial of New Zealand's national parks celebrations. "The race went really well, we had great community involvement, great volunteer support

and we couldn't have asked for better weather. "Pipiriki was great - they put on their biggest ever hangi for the 700 of us." A number of television crews followed this year's race and Mr Bamford said the event will be televised in 56 nations including a halfhour programme in Australia and a one and a quarter hour programme in Japan. New Zealand will see 15 minutes of race coverage on Television New Zealand sometime in November. Individual winner of the event was Andrew Martin of New Plymouth who completed the 287km course in 15:39:12 hours. Fastest woman was Anna Keeling in 19:22:44. Fastest Veteran was lan Titter in 17:05:46. Fastest mens team was the Trotting Basset Hounds from PN in 14:05:24.

Fastest womens team was Aussie Plot in 16:05:28, Fastest mixed team was Help, in 15:49:11. Fastest veteren mens team was CCCP in 17:19:45. Local and ex-local competitors results: Robbie van't Wout of Waiouru, the only individual competitor from this area, was placed 33rd out of the Open Men's division with an overall time of 19 hours, 38 minutes and 48 seconds.

The Women's Team of Country Life Outdoor Stores, Corrina Dingle, Linda Retemeyer, Tania Pearce of Turangi were placed 3rd of the women's teams , 16:52:46. Adventure Magazine's team of John Woods, Jim Ryan and Barry Mayo came 14th of the men's teams in 17:30:07 hours. Tongariro DoC team of Robert McCallum, Ross Bateup and one other (a replacement), 24th Men's teams, 18:52:25. Dynamic Duo, Rod Walker and Chris

Chapman both of National Park, 38th men's in 23:31 :39; The Yeti Zealots, Alan Gardner (Ohakune), Vicky Adams, Vickey Eastwood (PN) DNF (mixed teams): Team Diadora, Marty Noakes, Greg Mitchell and Alison Mitchell, 10th in mixed teams, 18:50:54. The most colourful character in the race, Italian Prince Sergio Ferrero, was placed last of the finishers in his veteran men's division, time - 25:49:22.