Largest field for mtns to sea race

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 458, 20 October 1992, Page 11

Largest field for mtns to sea race

Over 400 participants will be competing in this year's Lifespan Mountains to Sea multisports race, held over Labour Weekend. Race organisers describe the field as the largest in the event's four year history, with the wide variety of competitors. The event involves 290km of running, cycling and kayaking from the slopes of Mount Ruapehu to the sea via the Whanganui River. Competitors are expected to take at least 16 hours to complete the three day race, and almost $50 000 worth of prizes will be awarded. Two individuals and fourteen teams of com-

petitors come from Raetihi, Ohakune, Taumarunui, National Park, or Turangi. The three-man team from Taumarunui High School said they are competing in the event to get muscles and be able to shave their legs. Kathryn Watt, Australian winner of cycling gold in the 81km road race in Barcelona will be part of a three person women 's team which is aiming to win back the division title they lost in 1991. This is the third year Watt has teamed up with Australian national kayaking champion Jane Hall to compete in New

Zealand's Lifespan Mountains to Sea. Last year the Australians lost by 3 minutes after almost 17 hours of racing to a Kiwi team which included Corrina Dingle and Dr Ruth Highet of Wellington. Cantabrian Steve Gurney, New Zealand's multisport favourite and only professional, is making his Lifespan debut and will be up against the winner of last year's individual men's section, Paul Cossens of Rotorua. Gurney recently returned from an Australian multisport series after winning his third car in a multisport race. Twelve secondary school teams from as far

north as Whangarei and as far south as Timaru have entered in a new race division. An annual college competition for a Lifespan Mountains to Sea trophy is expected to develop. The first individual man, woman, and veteran man home each receive a return trip for two to Hong Kong flying Cathay Pacific. So does each membcr of the winning teams of women and men. All other place-getters receive medals and prizes Blind competitor, Marie Geddy of Auckland, will be travelling the full 290km course with the support

of two well known multisport champions, Derek Ferigo and Terry Newlands. Ferigo will be racing despite a recently broken leg. Tania Pearce of Turangi, leader of a strong Kiwi women's team, will also be competing with a recently broken arm. Pearce was hoping to lead the national defence against the Australian women, and is not keen to give up. The cold winter has not resulted in any changes to the course, btit competitors are likely to be running through snow on the first day. The level of the Whanganui River should remain high through until Labour Weekend. The event includes over 100km of kayaking and so river flows have a strong reflection in race times.