Plans for Army road relay under way

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 550, 23 August 1994, Page 6

Plans for Army road relay under way

Over 3000 people will converge on Waiouru to take part in the New Zealand Army Around the Mountains Relay (ATMR 94) On Saturday 26 November. The relay has been a part of the Waiouru area for 23 years with the public being involved for the last 18 years. This year changes have been made to the rules to try .to make the run safer and more enjoyable. Entries have been open since 1 August and will close on 31 August. At the time of writing more than half the vacancies had been filled. Over 350 teams are expected to apply, the first 200 being accepted. While there are a number of running grades, the majority enter the special grade. A competitive atmosphere and much rivalry is still expected and organisers hope that everyone will keep in mind that ATMR is a fun run. The relay starts at 2am and usually finishes by 6pm. The grades are: Open; 10 runners who must each run 1 6 kilometres; Composite10 runners who must run at least one 16 km or two 8 km legs (The team is to include a minimum of two women and three veterans or three women and two veterans, or males under 35 must run 16 kms); Veterans - 10 runners, all 35 years

or older, who must run one 16 km or two 8 km legs; Social - 10 runners of any age and sex who should run one 16 km or two 8 km legs; Distance-Two runners, each running 75 kms; Ladies - 10 runners, all female, who must run one 16 km leg or two 8 km legs. Prizes: Open, Composite, Veteran and Ladies are the competitive grades and each grade winner will receive the line honours plus the prize money ($500.), plus a further prize of $500 for the fastest team in the competitive grades. Social - no prizes for first, however 20 prizes of $300 will be allocated at random irrespective of placing. The local Citizen Band Radio Club will again be involved providing an important radio link with commercial users of the road. There will be a large police and traffic safety service presence with the safety measures operating from approximately 1am. The ATMR is used by many entrants for fundraising purposes. To improve safety for the event, information will be forwarded to Radio New Zealand and TV channels to inform the travelling public. For further information contact the Relay Co-ordinator WOl Davies, HQATG, Private Bag 1702, Waiouru or phone 063876 111 Extn 7049.