Dane Favourite For Flagpole Run Up

Dane Favourite For Flagpole Run Up

This weekend's inaugural Flagpole Run Up mountain run has been given a huge boost by the entry of Danish world orienteering champion Carsten Jorgensen.

The Flagpole Run Up is an exciting new mountain run in the foothills behind Whitecliffs, 60k south west of Christchurch. The 19k run takes participants on a scenic tour of one of the regions most historic but hidden landmarks. Flagpole Hill was the original inland landmark used by early settlers as they travelled inland from Christchurch into the foothills and mountains behind the towns of Darfield, Coalgate and Glentunnel. The 897m high peak can be seen from every angle in the surrounding region and once on top the view stretches for more than 30 kilometres in all directions.

The Flagpole Run Up is held within the Selwyn Plantation forest block. It's starts and finishs at Flagpole Farm and head straight up the south western face to Flagpole Hill summit, before continuing around the back country headwaters of the Selwyn River past historic copper mines and through the Selwyn Gorge. At various points participants get impressive views out across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific and across to Mt Hutt and Mt Torlesse.

Favourite is Denmark's Carsten Jorgensen, who has been a regular visitor to Christchurch during summer months. The Danish orienteering star and Olympic representative on the track recently won the Kepler Challenge mountain run in Te Anau. But he will be pushed by Avalanche Peak champion Jacob Roberts of Chrstchurch. Favourite for the women's race is New Zealand orienteering rep Jenni Adams.

The FlagPole Run Up is organised by Christchurch event promotor Chris Cox, who is pleased with the inaugural entry of more than 100 starters.

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