2005 Results
2005 Race Report
Heath de Garnham followed up his win at the Kaweka Challenge (Hawkes Bay) earlier in the year with a convincing win in the rugged off-road run out to Cape Brett and back on Saturday. This Bay of Islands run, which was being held for the first time, took competitors through some of the most spectacular but precipitous coastal scenery in New Zealand. It attracted some of the country's top off-road runners and lived up to early expectations by proving to be extremely tough. The pre-race favourite, Ross Rotherham set the early pace and led through Whangamumu and Deep Water Cove but was caught by de Garnham on the steep descent from the lighthouse to the DoC hut at the Cape. Rotherham kept in touch on the way home but de Garnham pulled away in the final stages to win by a margin of 7 minutes in a time of 4 hours 13 minutes. Phil Woods was third, a further 18 minutes back. In the women's field, Karen Hanlen cleared out with a very strong run and was the fourth runner home overall in 5 hours 14 mins - a very strong effort. She was followed home by veterans Christine Carlton and Jean Beaumont. The general consensus was that this was a fantastic course, but demanded serious respect. The event also featured a 15km race from Rawhiti through Whangamumu/Te Toroa Bay and back to Rawhiti - through some of Northlands most beautiful scenery - but also a demanding run. Junior Andrew Riddell was first male home in the 15km run with Sonia Arthur first woman. Richard Whitihera was the first Rawhiti local home. This run proved very popular and "doable" and looks to be a winner in the future. The race started in cool overcast conditions, but the sun came out during the day - great for the scenery - but very tough for the runners, in spite of the late season scheduling of the event. Water had been carried in along the Cape Brett route, but dehydration became a serious problem for a number of runners. The organisers had restricted entry to runners with proven credentials in endurance events / off road runs and installed a time cutoff at 2:00pm on the return run through Deep Water Cove in the interests of safety. The majority of the field achieved the cutoff, but runners which did not were bought back by boat from Deep Water Cove. The run was hosted by the Rawhiti community at the Rawhiti camping ground and a carnival atmosphere with music and interviews with runners and local personalities was enjoyed by the crowd attending. Strong support for the race was provided by Fullers Bay of Island, Cape Brett Walkways, Hydrapak, Outdoor Action of Takapuna, Leppinsports and Gough Brown Giffney. Feedback from competitors was extremely positive and it is planned to make the event an annual one. Organisers believe this could become one of the "classic" off-road runs around New Zealand and a major running event.
Cape Brett Challenge 35km 2005
Open Men
1 Heath de Garnham 4:13:36; 2 Ross Rotherham 4:20: 44; Phil Wood 4:38:51
Open Women
1 Karen Hanlen 5:14:12
Vet Men
1 Graeme Lear 5:31:56; 2 Scruff Ashby 5:52:47; 3 Severn Smith 5:55:06
Vet Women
1 Christine Carlton 5:31:47; 2 Jean Beaumont 6:19:40; 3 Margie Peat 7:24:41
Whangamumu Wonder 15km 2005
Open Men
1 Tony Emanuel 1:52:11; 2 Edwin Massey 1:57:42; 3 Glenn Dunn-Parant 1:58:35
Open Women
1 Sonia Arthur 2:07:56; 2 Fiona Eagles 2:18:36; Cathy Wheeler 2:23:25
Vet Women
1 Shena McGregor 2:09:53; 2 Jane Sweeney 2:12:51; 3 Julie Egan 2:15:59
Vet Men
1 Keith McLeod 1:55:42; 2 Peter Rothwell 2:07:06; 3 Phil Alexander 2:10:09
Junior Men
1 Andrew Riddell 1:48 58; 2 Jourdan Harvey 2:03:31; 3 Julian Peat 2:12:43
Junior Women
1 Andrea Peat 2:34:49
