Giant race on the agenda

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 35 (Supplement)

Giant race on the agenda

A unique Mt Ruapehu triathlon is on the winter sports agenda this year. It will be a modified version of the Atomic Giant Man event started in 1981. This year it will be classified as a triathlon including a 1700m climb from the Turoa skifield car-park to the top of the mountain, descent on skis through a 20-gate giant slalom course and a 17km run down the mountain road to Ohakune. As in the past all competitors must retain and carry all gear and equipment used in the event. A new co-sponsor for the Giant Man this year is Ruapehu Publishers Ltd, publishers of Ohakune's local newspaper, the Waimarino Bulletin, and Adventure Magazine, which is now produced from Ohakune. The major sponsor will be the distributor of Atomic Skis together with two original co-sponsors, Turoa Skifield and the Junction Ski Shop. Race organiser Mike Wiggins says the event has had a chequered past since it started in 1981 over the rpountain to Turoa. Weather and snow conditions have forced changes in the format to the point where it is now confined to the southern Turoa side of the mountain. In past years the race has been scheduled to go from the Whakapapa skifield up to the crater and there had to be a limit of 50 starters and unreliable conditions have hindered organisation. With the new course there will be no limit on the numbers of entrants and the race can be run and supervised in almost any conditions. It is expected the winner will complete the course in about two hours. Last year the race was scheduled for October but had to be abandoned because of lack of snow. Mr Wiggins says the organisers are considering an earlier date, possibly at the end of July. Prizes will include $1000 in cash and sports equipment. The prize list has also yet to be finalised.