Australians Dominate at Anaconda Adventure Race Waihi
In ideal conditions and over a stunning course, Australians dominated proceedings with a 1-2 in the men’s race and first in the women’s race at the inaugural Anaconda Adventure Race in Waihi, New Zealand.
After starting at Bowentown and finishing 58.6km later in Waihi on the edge of the Martha mine, it was Sean O’Neill and Kim Beckinsale who took line honours.
On Saturday 24th April, the much anticipated first-ever New Zealand leg of this trans-Tasman series, racing started at Anzac Bay in Bowentown and finished 58.6km later in Waihi on the edge of the Martha mine. In ideal conditions, it was a day enjoyed by all participants, none less than O’Neill. “Today was just an awesome race – I was excited to come over here and race in New Zealand and the course did not disappoint at all” explained the 26-year-old. “That run was one of the best I have ever run in my life – just amazing.” O’Neill, who is winning the Anaconda Series points competition, took the title by just two minutes over country-man and Anaconda Series rival - Grant Suckling. “Sean and I have had an awesome tussle through out the series, I had him till the last leg today, then we both starting cramping and it was matter of survival of the fittest then.” First New Zealander home was 19-year-old, Sam Clark (Whakatane) who is an inspiration to teenagers around the country. As an engineer he works long hours and fits his training in when he can. “A lot of my preparation for this race has been training in the dark. I’d get home from work – put my head-lamp on and head out for a run – I’m stocked it has all been worth it.” Beckinsale dominated the women’s race, but only after top New Zealand contender and Coast to Coast runner-up, Louise Mark was forced to pull-out with a badly twisted ankle having lead into the run leg by over 6minutes. Beckinsale, who has taken part in ever Anaconda race since it’s inception in 2005, was impressed with the Waihi leg of the series. “The course was just stunning – I’ve never been to this part of New Zealand before but I will definitely be back.” The Anaconda Adventure Race (AAR) International Series has taken Australia by storm with four separate events from September though to May, including stops in the Gold Coast, Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Modeled off the Australian format, racing started with a 1.6km Swim at Bowentown, then onto a 14km paddle along Waihi beach, then into the run for a 14km stunning run over the cliff tops, before mountain biking 27km to Waihi and the final team run over 2kms skirting the Martha mine. The event was devised by event managers, total sport (New Zealand) and Rapid Ascent (Australia) in conjunction with Vision Waihi Trust. Chief Executive of the Trust, Eddie Morrow couldn’t be happier with the outcome for the town. “From our perspective – we are so pleased we engaged total sport and their partners to establish the event in Waihi – it is an event that the people of Waihi have embraced – not only from a community and volunteer level but also the number of locals that participating today was just awesome to see. “We are absolutely wrapped, it has achieved all of the objectives that we set and we look forward to it becoming an established part of the Waihi event calendar.” The after the event, on ANZAC day morning, nearly 100 children from around New Zealand and Australia took part in a Junior Survivor event which involved at 2km obstacle course. 2010 Anaconda Individual Results; Male: Swim Kayak Run MTB 2km Run Total Sean O'Neill (AUST) 16:44 1:14:02 1:03:51 1:12:53 7:50 3:55:20 Grant Suckling(AUST) 18:15 1:07:21 1:07:08 1:15:13 9:15 3:57:12 Sam Clark (NZL) 18:27 1:08:50 1:08:28 1:16:39 8:40 4:01:04 Cameron Durno (NZL) 18:33 1:13:27 1:11:24 1:20:24 9:47 4:13:35 Carl Bevins (NZL) 19:43 1:15:08 1:13:10 1:19:25 7:55 4:15:21 Female: Swim Kayak Run MTB 2km Run Total Kim Beckinsale (AUST) 20:17 1:28:05 1:16:53 1:25:01 9:53 4:40:09 Emma McCosh (NZL) 23:28 1:32:00 1:23:59 1:30:02 9:53 4:59:22 Julia Cree (NZL) 19:33 1:31:48 1:31:43 1:54:09 12:15 5:29:28