Ideal Conditions Aid Motatapu Adventure Run Winning Pair to Victory

A clear start, followed by hot temperatures in the middle of the day made for perfect conditions for teams in the Motatapu R&R Sport 49km Adventure Run.
 

Twenty-two teams of two competed in the event, which has been described as one of the most difficult, yet beautiful one-day mountain running races in New Zealand.

The course runs over what is normally a three to four day tramping track. It comprises a challenging four-peak traverse on exposed back country terrain with a total descent of 2790m, followed by an extremely challenging route over the DOC Motatapu track from Wanaka to Arrowtown, through the Motatapu and Soho stations. The four major climbs also total 2790 vertical metres, (the highest point being Jack Hall's Saddle at 1275 metres
above sea level).

Blackhurst and Dagg were only slightly shy of their inaugural year winning time of 7hr:25min:06sec with a win of 7hr:31min.39sec to retain their title.

Dagg says, “It was harder than last year, so much warmer, I am a year older though.” “It was the warmth that made it difficult. Initially the inversion layer kept the sun off us until Roses Saddle; the third peak. I wore my Icebreaker last year till Macetown, but this year it was off within the first 20 minutes. The inversion layer kept it warm and muggy, and difficult to see, I am glad we had done it before, so we had an idea of where we were going, but that?s why you have a compass,” Dagg says. “We took the lead in on the second climb, getting away on the uphill, it is a damn tough run there is no doubt about it.“

Of the teams 22 teams competing six broke the eight-hour mark this year.

Winning woman?s team, and solo female pair, Sarah Fairmaid and Sonya Bower were fiercely competitive with a record time of 8.56.43 beating last year?s 10.24.19 set by Caroline Elliot and Ros Hadler.

The Motatapu R&R Sport Adventure Race is one of five events. The other events are: Speight's Summit Mountain Bike, Arrowtown.com Miner?s Trail 15km mountain run, Icebreaker 42.2km off-road marathon and the new invitation only half ironman length triathlon.

The Motatapu is in its seventh year and this year was its largest event. In 2010 it won the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals for the best event.