Record falls in Gibbs Hill Challenge
Reaching Pohara on the first cycle leg are, from left, Thomas Coughlin (second local individual home 4:02:41), Andrew Mason (in winning team 3:45:50), Ari Kinghan (first local individual home 4:02:40). Photo: Marg Braggins
About 70 intrepid multi-sport athletes took up the Gibbs Hill challenge in perfect weather conditions this year.
Committee spokesperson Wouter de Maat said that the organisers were thrilled with the unprecedented level of interest in the event.
“With Derry Kingston stepping down as organiser after 10 years, it fell on a small group of dedicated locals to keep the event going,” said Wouter. “We were lucky to have the support of the Nelson Tri Club. Their involvement guaranteed plenty of entries from over the Hill but, just looking at the field, I think it was about 50-50 locals and out-of-towners.”
Twenty-one competitors did the entire Challenge as individuals. There were also 23 teams in the whole challenge and 19 individual runners in the Over-The-Top section from Wainui to Totaranui and return.
Golden Bay Search and Rescue members provided excellent support throughout the run section, manning checkpoints to ensure no one went astray.
The Challenge began at Golden Bay High School with a rolling start to take account of the large number of cyclists.
“By the time they got to Cassidy’s Corner the line was getting well stretched out,” said Wouter. “The first bunch arrived at Wainui car park in just under 42 minutes. From there it was a run or fast walk up to the top of Gibbs Hill, followed by the steep descent to Totaranui and the undulating track around the coast to Wainui car park. The fastest time for this 21km section was 1hr 58 mins. The last leg was the 23km bike ride back to the high school.”
The first individual home was Andrew Siggers in a total time of 3hrs 34mins 55secs. This was a new race record, breaking Fred Wingate’s 3:40:44, set in 2005. Jake Stow came in second, also under Fred’s record, in 3:39:11. The first woman home was Rachel Voyce in 3:57:25. The first local home was Ari Kingan in 4:02:40 with Thomas Coughlan only one second behind.
The Mason family team from Takaka (John, Linda, Andrew and Neil) won their section in 3:45:50, only 5mins40 secs outside the team record.
“The teams section attracted the most locals,” said Wouter. “There was a fantastic range of ages participating, from primary school kids up to a few very fit and healthy senior citizens.”
The event was a huge success, and Wouter said the organisers were looking forward to seeing another capacity field line-up for next year’s event on the second Sunday in August 2010.
Neil Wilson
