Young and Old are Drawn to the Kepler Challenge

People of all ages are attracted to the iconic 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge mountain
run, and her sister event the Luxmore Grunt, to be held near Te Anau on 1 December.

 

One 20 year old entrant for the 60km mountain race is Martin van Woerden from
Whenuapai in Auckland. He said that he took up an interest in running when he did
his basic training upon entering the New Zealand Air Force.

Two of the 22 year-olds are locals, Casey Brown and Neville Thorne. Casey has a
strong family connection to this event, with her mother Jan serving on the Kepler
Challenge Organising Committee for many years. Jan still has a vital role on race
weekends at registration and the race start line. Casey says that she has been training
smarter to for this year’s event, in order to beat her time of 8 hours 36 minutes.

Neville Thorne is another born and bred local. He was the first local home in last
year’s event in 6 hours and 12 minutes. He’s hoping to improve on that time this year.
Neville’s mother Bev, has completed many Kepler Challenges over the years.

The oldest competitor this year is Te Anau’s very own Ray Willett who is 76 years
young. Ray has completed 23 out of the 24 Kepler Challenges. His best time was
6 hours and 55 minutes, but this year he is aiming to complete the race at noon on
Sunday 2 December!

There is a 68 year-old experienced marathon runner from the Pittsburg USA entered
in 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge. Christopher Pett-Ridge has run 20 marathons since
turning 50. He is now concentrating on trail-running, and sees his entry into the 2012
ASICS Kepler Challenge as a good excuse to visit New Zealand.

Wayne Green, aged 66, from Invercargill, ran in the first Kepler Challenge 25 years
ago. He was one of the people instrumental in organising the first Kepler Challenge
and what a brilliant idea that was!

Regardless of their age, all competitors are looking forward to challenging themselves
on the mountains between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri.