Triple Winter Olympian warms up for a challenge

Competition in the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run on November 22 is heating up with a three-time Winter Olympian gearing up for this challenging and unique trail run.

Australian Carla Zijlstra is travelling to New Zealand this month on holiday but has decided to fit in a competitive run during her stay.

Carla represented Holland in speed skating at the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics, finishing fourth on two occasions. She also holds a number of medals from World Championships.

Carla moved to Australia about 10 years ago after marrying fellow triple Olympian Anthony Evans who represented Australia in cross country skiing at the same three Games.

“We have both been retired from our respective disciplines for ten years but have continued to keep up our fitness levels by entering various running and cycling events,” says Carla.

Since retiring from international competition, Carla has taken on endurance events such as the Australian Ironman, the Overland Track Run in Tasmania (85km through the Tasmanian Wilderness) and the Rotterdam Marathon.

Carla was inspired to enter the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run after reading about it on a Kiwi events website.

“I thought it would be a bit of fun and a good challenge. I know New Zealand is home to many great runners and I love a bit of healthy competition,” she says.

The event is a 32km race through the breathtaking Coromandel Peninsula. It takes runners from the white sands of Waikawau Beach up and across the spine of the Coromandel Peninsula into the Coromandel township, through stunning native bush and forest. For those not quite up to the 32km course, the 13km run or walk offers an equally challenging and spectacular alternative.

Living in the Snowy Mountains in Jindabyne, NSW, Carla is used to training on hilly terrain but is very excited to experience New Zealand’s native bush.

The run is unique not only in its challenging location, but also in its benefit to the environment. For everyone who takes part in the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run or walk, a kauri tree will be planted along the trail. Around 200 years ago, most of the Coromandel Peninsula was covered in kauri forest. Today few of these majestic giants remain.

Primary sponsors Cranleigh Merchant Bankers and the event management team, Adventure Racing Coromandel (ARC), hope to eventually plant over 10,000 trees so that one day there will be an avenue of kauri from Waikawau Beach to Coromandel for future generations to enjoy.

“My husband works for the Australian National Parks Service and I think this is a great idea. I am thoroughly looking forward to combining my love of sport with a passion for the environment,” says Carla.

Enthusiastic runners or walkers can enter the 32km or 13km Great Cranleigh Kauri Run online at www.arcevents.co.nz