The 25th Annual MOUND THE MOUNTAINS RELAY

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 663, 19 November 1996, Page 9

The 25th Annual MOUND THE MOUNTAINS RELAY

Saturday 23rd November 1996

By

Michele

Monaghan

It's Around The Mountain Relay time this coming weekend and every thing is set for the 1 57 ten-man teams entered. Things are slightly different this year with batons being used for the first time and a new finish area designated. Also, the traditional venue for the prizegiving has been changed from the Waiouru Workshop to a very large marquee. Directions will be signposted from the camp gate, co-ordinator Keith Davies said. The start area remains the same (outside Headquarters, ATG) and start times are still in the wee small hours of the morning, so residents better prepare themselves for several blasts as a 105 millimetre light gun is being used to start the runners. Timetable Start times and other important times include: Friday 22 November 3pm - 1 1 pm, Arrival (QEII Army Memorial Museum) 3 - 1 1.30pm, Bar open at museum. Saturday 23 November 12.01am, The walkers start (One team of 10 entered). - 2am, Social grades 'A' start (65 teams) 3am, Social grades 'B' start (remaining 71 teams) 3.30am, Competitive grades start (20 teams) lam - 6am, Uplift cut lunches from 800 Man Mess. lam - 8am, Breakfast at the 800 Man Mess. 1 lam - 6pm, Bar open at Army museum. 6.30pm, Prizegiving at the Marquee. 6.30 - 8.30, Buffet Barbecue served. 7pm, Social. function begins (Marquee flaps open 5.30pm) Sunday 24 November 2am, All clear of Social Function. 7am - 8am, Breakfast 800 Man Mess. The finish area is outside the Army Museum so runners won't have the long slog down the straight and seemingly endless Hassett Drive. However, they do turn

down Hassett Drive to get to the third carpark of the museum to finish. Each team member will get a bronze medallion to mark participating in silver jubilee of ATMR and the winners of the competitive grades will also be awarded a silver medallion. There are limited numbers of T-shirts, hats and race souvenirs available and they're disappearing

fast, Mr Davis said. Well-known New Zealand band 'Satellite Spies' will play at the function and there will be».door saies. The museum is serving as the main control and administration area and a bar and cafeteria will be available to provide liquid refreshments and light meals such as nachos, BLT's, toasted and hot meat sandwiches, pies

and wedges. Mr Davies reminds team managers that they are responsible for individual leg times. There are no individual runners this year.