MPs and Olympians at Motatapu Icebreaker

Minister of Finance Bill English and Olympians Caroline Evers-Swindell (rowing) and
Kashi Leuchs (mountain-biking) will join a cast of over 3000 other competitors at the
fifth Motatapu Icebreaker on 14 March.
 

The 50 kilometre mountain-bike and parallel marathon run events take place over a
spectacular course between Wanaka and Arrowtown, through the iconic landscapes of three of Central Otago’s most handsome high country properties.

The fast growing event attracts cyclists and runners from throughout the country, along
with a growing number of international competitors, from Australia to Ethiopia.

The race sold out its mountain-bike field in record time last November and the marathon run field has grown from 600 last year to over 700 entrants.

Mountain-bike course records may well be broken this year as New Zealand Olympic
representative and experienced international competitor Kashi Leuchs, challenges fourtime winner and course record-holder Marcus Roy for the first time.

Minister of Finance, Bill English on the other hand is looking for a less spectacular but
none-the-less solid performance in this his first Motatapu Icebreaker mountain bike.
“It’s a real bonus for me to take part in this successful event,” Mr English said. “I’ve
been training hard in the hills around Wellington, but we’ll have to wait and see whether that translates into a credible performance on the day. I’m not too competitive – but I don’t want to come last.”

Another first-timer, Olympic rower Caroline Evers-Swindell, has chosen Motatapu
Icebreaker for her first marathon and confesses to mixed feelings about the prospect.
“On the one hand I’m a bit scared, after all, I’m built for rowing not running really. But
I’m also inspired. I love the simplicity (of running) and I’m hoping the scenery will
distract me,” she said.

At the sharp end of the marathon course, 38 year old Christchurch teacher Phil Costley and Kepler Challenge record holder challenges previous Motatapu Icebreaker racewinner John Winsbury from Australia. “I see Phil as my main competition,” said
Winsbury, “he has those off-road credentials which are vital for this course. Certainly I
can think of no other off-road marathon that has over twenty river crossings.”

The Anzac duo will be joined by overseas wildcard entrant, Ethiopian marathoner Fantaw Hussen who ran a 2h-11m marathon in 2008.

Competitors line up at Motatapu Icebreaker for a host of reasons but Bill English has his own unique perspective on the race. “The Motatapu Icebreaker is set in one of the most scenic corners of New Zealand and - at least for a few hours - I won’t be thinking about the Budget!”