Inaugural Competitors Back For More Lake to Lighthouse Magic

From café owners to Members of Parliament and everyone in between, this event has got something for you. We caught up with three people who experienced the inaugural Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse last year to find out why they are back on the start line Friday 20th November.

Starting at Lake Waikaremoana in the Urewera National Park, competitors traverse approx 185 km over two days; covering stunning native bush tracks, back country gravel roads, farmland and rivers; by foot, mountain bike and kayak, finishing at the coastal town of Wairoa.

Current MP for Napier and Member of Parliament, Chris Tremain completed last years inaugural event in a team– he chose a big one for his first ever Multisport event! Tremain completed the first run around the back of the lake and the second mountain bike on day two, and loved the mix of culture, scenery, and the challenge of the event.

He is back on the start line this year – so what bought him back?
“To prove to myself that the run round the back of the lake is easier if you train more seriously! On a serious note, because the family and I enjoyed the event last year so much, my wife was in the team with me, we brought the kids and all stayed on the Marae. It was great!”

For Sarah Corson, owner of The Clevedon Café the Lake to Lighthouse has many reasons why it is a ‘must-do’ event but most notably it is returning to her home region of Gisborne. Then she had an idea - ‘wouldn’t it be great to show my Auckland friends how great the region is!’ so organised four Clevedon teams to head down to the inaugural event. Corson explains,

“We had a blast and enjoyed the whole event so much that we are bringing eight teams this year, 26 competitors in total in either three or four person teams as well as around another 25 'support crew' and kids. We are very social teams, just wishing to complete the event and enjoy the experience. The Lake to Lighthouse is perfect for this.”

Not only is Sarah now co-ordinating the eight teams and 25 support crew to get to the event this year but her training has taken a small turn for the worse when she broke her wrist while attempting to get into her kayak just last week!

Veteran Speight’s Coast to Coast entrant Jim Holden was also with us last year, supporting son Gerald who placed 7th in the individual open category. Jim was so inspired by what he saw – he is coming back to compete as an individual himself this year, at age 65.

“This event is different to any other I have been to, the scenery, the people and choosing to be different in terrain and the composition of the race. The Tuai people have added a whole new dimension in hospitality and entertainment. This alone has a significant impact. Also the fact that the organisers have put their heart into it, they have taken on board the small problems from last year and really improved the event even further.”

Event director Chris Joblin expands on some of the changes that have been made to this year’s event.
“To make the event more team friendly we have revised the day two course slightly - this now starts with a 23km MTB stage – 80% off road through bush, scrub and farm tracks, followed by a new 43km road cycle, a shortened 21km paddle on the Wairoa river followed by a 16km run, 50% of this is off-road.”
One main change was also made to the format of the event, we will now be holding the awards dinner and event party on the Saturday night in Wairoa, leaving Sunday for people to make their way home.”
As well as out returning non-elite athletes, the professionals must have thought this event was a bit of all right as well, with many of them, returning again for another tightly-fought battle up front. Joblin expands,
“Currently entries are confirmed from Richard Ussher, George Christison, Marcel Hagener and Cam Durno so we are expecting a similar battle up front for the men’s individual prize pot and with plenty of interest from other elite athletes we are expecting the category to be hotly contested.”
“Elina Ussher returns to defend her title, and once again will be pushed hard by Sophie Hart. Louise Mark is confirmed and with Emily Miazga hoping to be able to make the start-line along with several other elite women. This year there will be a lot more depth in the individual categories.”
Whether a team or an individual, this event is something special, and we asked our returning athletes what advice they would give anyone wondering about entering this year, the replies were loud and clear;
From our support crew turned competitor; “Give it a go. If I can anyone can if they set their mind to it.”
From our Member of Parliament; “Put your name down, get your butt off the couch, you'll never forget it”

And from our café owner; “This event is very doable and fun as a team, really friendly and welcoming. Great value for money so there is no reason not to do it!”

See you at Lake Waikaremoana on November 20th for the Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse