Media release from Routeburn Classic
12 April 2011
Cantabrian running champions aim to reclaim Routeburn Classic title
Cantabrian couple Grant Guise and Jane Harper have their eyes firmly on the prize at the country’s most anticipated
mountain run, the Routeburn Classic, on Saturday 30 April.
Both athletes crossed the finish line first in their respective fields at last year’s Routeburn Classic, a renowned
mountain run in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Looking to make it two in the row, they’ll be up against more than 300 hardened competitors on the notoriously tough
32km challenge traversing Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks along the Routeburn Track.
And for the first time in many years, as a result of the flow-on effects of the Christchurch earthquake, they may be up
against some new faces as a handful of coveted competitor places have become available.
Guise and Harper will be among dozens of Cantabrians at the event this year, including Brian Fredric from Riccarton
who’ll run the Classic for the sixth time and an army of marshals from Christchurch who have made the commitment to put
aside any earthquake issues to be there. They will be based at the Mackenzie Hut, as the allocated Christchurch ‘aid
station’ on race day.
Mr Guise, who competed in the Kepler Challenge in December and Tarawera Ultra in March, said that despite a niggling hip
injury he was keen to beat last year’s winning time of 2hours 53mins 20seconds, while admitting that the record time set
in 2001 (2hr 51min 57sec) by national multisporter Richard Ussher might be beyond his reach.
“Jane and I are really amped for this year’s Routeburn Classic,” he said. “It’s always a great event, always gets a good
crowd, always has strong runners at the front and this year will be no different.
“I think the line-up will have a different scope, thanks partly to the Christchurch earthquake, however we’re treating
2011’s race as a prime opportunity to excel.”
Event Director Evan McWhirter of Good Times Events Ltd said it was extremely unusual to have places available for the
race, now in its eighth year, after all 350 spots were initially snatched up online within 30 minutes of registrations
opening in January.
“Understandably some of our Christchurch-based runners have had to pull out, and we have also lost a bunch of
international athletes. What that does is open up a great opportunity for anyone still keen to secure a place on the
Classic to put themselves at the top of the waiting list,” he said.
“Its great to have seasoned, Classic campaigners back like Grant, Jane, Brian and the Christchurch marshals all showing
some true Kiwi determination in and out of their running shoes.
“This is always a fantastic race, no matter what. It’s the most breathtaking adventure run in the country, if not the
world. It’s technically challenging in places, and also cuts through everything from lush native bush to an exposed
alpine environment.”
For more information about the Routeburn Classic or to register to compete visit www.goodtimesevents.net or email
evan@goodtimesevents.net
ends