Partner’s Life DUAL - Spectacular Day on the Islands
On Saturday 24th March, over 1700 fitness enthusiasts were treated to the wavy green hills of Motutapu Island and the contrasting forest and volcanic rock of Rangitoto Island, in the Partners Life DUAL run, walk and mountain bike event.
This truly unique trail event, held in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, is the only one of its kind to take place in a Pest-Free Protected area, and the largest on Auckland based event company, total sport’s, calendar.
The weather was perfect as the mountain bikers headed off early for their two distance options. In the women’s 50km event, it was Louise Mark from Auckland who backed up her recent win at the Colville Connection with another one at the Partners Life DUAL in a time of 2:36:01. Pre-race favourite Nic Leary was second and Jennifer Sweny took third.
“These have been the first two races I’ve actually won, in terms of mountain biking,” said Mark.
“In such a cool race in that you get these two totally different terrains; from the farmland of Motutapu to the barren rock of Rangitoto. It’s really cool how it’s such a contrast.
“It was just such an awesome day, the views from the top were just spectacular.”
In the corresponding men’s race it was another Aucklander in Graham Norman who crossed the line first in a time of 2:09:42. Second-place went to Thomas Reynolds, with Mark Leishman coming home third.
Like Mark, Norman was also the champion at the Colville Connection; together, they are showing that consistency is attainable in competitive mountain biking.
“It was pretty tough out there. The course was pretty gnarly and energy sapping. Tom was really tough competition so we were really tight for a long time until it finally blew apart after we crossed the beach and into the steep technical climbing,” said Norman.
“I’ve been going pretty well I suppose; the forms pretty good on the bike at the moment. I’ve got some training coming up soon for XTERRA so hopefully the other two disciplines will be going all right as well.”
The smallest, but arguably the bravest field of the day was the full length 42.2km marathon runners. They started their run along the grass verge of Home Bay on the eastern side of Motutapu, but after just 200m they were given a taste of what the day had in store with a harsh climb straight up the side of cliff-like terrain.
“It’s not the sort of circuit you would try to set a personal best time on because it’s far too tough of a marathon for that,” said event manager Nick Carroll.
“Just finishing the race is an accomplishment, which has probably got something to do with why the numbers for the other running options are so much larger.”
New Zealand Olympian, Dick Quax was on hand at the marathon finish line to award all finishers with a medal.
As expected, Lesley Turner Hall dominated the women’s marathon to win in a time of 3:48:16. Twenty minutes later, Katrin Walbert finished second and Kristin Fulton was third.
In the men’s marathon it was Sam Manson who beat a competitive line-up, crossing the line in 3:15:20. James Kuegler was second and Kelvin Meade finished third.
This fourth edition of the annual event hosted five different options for athletes. They could select a 50km and a 30km mountain bike, as well as a full marathon, and a half marathon and 10km run or walk.
For full results, visit the website at www.thedual.co.nz.
Results:
Men’s 50km MTB: 1 Graham Norman (2:09:42); 2 Thomas Reynolds (2:11:12); 3 Mark Leishman (2:12:52).
Women’s 50km MTB: 1 Louise Mark (2:36:01); 2 Nic Leary (2:37:34); 3 Jennifer Sweny (2:50:20).
Men’s 42.2km Marathon: 1 Sam Manson (3:15:20); 2 James Kuegler (3:27:21); 3 Kelvin Meade (3:28:45).
Women’s 42.2km Marathon: 1 Lesley Turner Hall (3:48:16); 2 Katrin Walbert (4:08:24); 3 Kristin Fulton (4:23:13).