Fast water: fast racers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 459, 27 October 1992, Page 1

Fast water: fast racers

Tiny Pipiriki was again fit to burst on Sunday with hundreds of competitors, supporters and race organisers for the Lifespan Mountains to Sea multisports race. The Pipiriki marae once again hosted the massed group of canoe, running and cycling enthusiasts for a haangi and evening party, though some participants would have been trying to conserve energy for Monday's cycle and run to Castlecliff in Wanganui. The first day of the 290km race on Saturday started with an altered course, due to strong wind and rain. Instead of starting at the Top o' the Bruce, runners set off , from the Grand Chateau 1 Golf Course, running I through unfamiliar beech forest to avoid several I flooded rivers. Deep mud : slowed the individual race favourite Steve Gurney, but he made up time in the cycle to Taumarunui and kayak to Whakahoro. The Whanganui was flowing a metre above normal, leading to fast kayak trips both on Saturday and Sunday, to Pipiriki. At Pipiriki the river

level was about three metres above last year's level. Last year's fastest

time was just over six hours from Whakahoro to Pipiriki, while there were

several clocked in under section is a popular twosix hours this year. (The to three day joumey - for Whakahoro to Pipiriki most people).