Top Athletes Race Christchurch to Akaroa

Media Release

21st November 2007

Top Athletes Race Christchurch to Akaroa

A top class field of athletes will be racing this weekend (24th & 25th November) in the annual Tuatara Peninsula Race.  All eyes will be on Aaron Prince, who is a New Zealand Orienteering representative and has been a top ten place getter in the Coast to Coast over the last few years. Dick Brunton from Christchurch will be challenging Prince.  Sia Svendsen from Sweden is the strong favourite to dominate the women’s section.

Multisport enthusiasts will run, paddle and mountain bike from Christchurch to Akaroa via the crater rim, along the summit ridge and across the harbours and peninsulas.  Covering a distance of 85kms over the two days of adventure, competitors will also get to enjoy great views of the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.

Day One begins with a 10km run from Taylors Mistake up to the Summit Road and over into Cass Bay. From here there is a 13.5km kayak to Purau via Governors Bay. Then it’s onto the mountain bike for the last stage of the day, from Purau along the Summit Ridge 18.5km to Little River.

Competitors will start Day Two with a 12.5km run from Little River to Birdlings Flat.  Then it’s back on their mountain bikes to make their way up to the Summit Ridge and down into Wainui. They will then kayak the final 12kms passing the historically important Onawe Peninsula.  After crossing to the other side of the harbour and heading back to Akaroa there is a final sprint to the finish chute located on the Village Green near the waterfront.  

The Tuatara Peninsula Race is organised by Bloody Good Events and has a large number of individual and teams entered this year.  

ENDS

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