2006 Results
2006 Race Report
HELLY HANSEN CAPE BRETT CHALLENGE 35KM
ULTIMATE DIRECTION 15KM
OFF-ROAD RUN RAWHITI BAY OF ISLANDS
Over 250 runners and walkers entered the 35km Helly Hansen Cape Brett Challenge and 15km Ultimate Direction off-road runs from Rawhiti in the Bay of Islands in warm sunny conditions on Saturday. The event which is only in its second year won rave reviews from competitors last year, for its mix of stunning scenery, passage through areas of historical significance and the varied nature of the running requirements.
The gruelling 35km run to Cape Brett which features over 1700 vertical metres of climbing was won by Michael Adams, previously of Wellington but now from Auckland. Adams who comes from a family of international orienteers and top class off-road runners, ran a very strong race and led from start to finish. James Bradshaw who recently came 2nd in the National Orienteering Champs also came 2nd at Cape Brett 6 minutes back, with Sarah Kleeman of Wellington in an outstanding performance in 3rd place 35 minutes behind, in a new womens record time.
Paihia's Jim Mellor ran a very smart race to win the 15km race. He bided his time in a bunch behind the leaders until the climbing began, joined them at the old whaling station at Whangamumu and then powered away over the really steep climbs and descents on the second half of the course through Te Toroa Bay and back to Rawhiti to win in a new record time of 1:42:11. Matt Pedersen of Whangarei was 2nd 2 minutes back and junior Jourdan Harvey of Auckland 3rd in 1:48:23. Helen Saunders of Whangarei came in 11th overall as first female followed by Katherine Anton and Vet Christine Fraser also both of Whangarei.
The 35km run is undoubtedly a major challenge for all but elite runners. The exposed nature of the last section of the run at the northern end of the Cape, the big swell coming in and the brilliantly fine afternoon conditions combined to make a really spectacular setting. The course is heavily marshalled for safety reasons but nature of the course means the marshals and water to some stations need to be taken in by boat. The demands of the course told on a number of competitors with a number withdrawing during the day and over 14 coming back by boat either because of injuries or because they missed the cut-off times set by the organisers in the interests of safety.
A very pleasing feature of the 15km event was the number of families and walkers involved. Although only 15km this course definitely demands respect, but the Notredame family came out in a crowd group that covered three generations. Summer at 11 years old actually won a prize for equal youngest competitor and her grandfather Lode, at 68, the prize for the oldest competitor.
Cape Brett Challenge - 35km
1 Michael Adams - Open Men (OM) - Auckland - 4:32:21
2 James Bradshaw - OM - Auckland - 4:38:10
3 Sarah Kleeman - Open Women (OW) - Wellington - 5:13:03
4 Dave Gower-Rudman Veteran Men (VM) - Rotorua - Rotorua - 5:29:23
5 Lee Greer - OM - Whangarei - 5:33:21
6 Christine Carleton - Veteran Women (VW) - Gisborne - 5:34:50
7 Iestyn Lewis - OM - Hamilton - 5:39:29
8 Richard Houghton - OM - Auckland - 5:43:17
9 Dave Crofts - OM - Auckland - 5;43:34
10 Graeme Lear - VM - Gisborne - 5:48:22
Ultimate Direction 15km
1 Jim Mellor - OM - Paihia - 1:42:11
2 Matt Pederson - OM - Whangarei - 1:44:12
3 Jourdan Harvey - Junior Men (JM) - Auckland - 1:48:23
4 Andrew Riddell - JM - Auckland - 1:52:31
5 Darin Robinson - VM - Whangarei - 1:52:36
6 Graham Watts - VM - Whangapaoroa - 1:52:39
7 Daniel van Hoppe - OM - Paihia - 1:55:56
8 Reagan Pattison - OM Auckland - 1:56:42
9 Murray Waters - VM - Auckland - 2:02:08
10 Nigel Mather - OM - Auckland - 2:02:45
