Routeburn Classic Hots Up – 25 Places Remain

Thursday 22 March 2007

Routeburn Classic Hots Up – 25 Places Remain

Keen adventure runners will have to race to enter the fourth Routeburn Classic event on Saturday May 12 – only 25 places remain.

Competition is hotting up with a fantastic field of athletes ready to tackle the technical 38km race – defending champions Richard Ussher and Elina Maki-Rautila will be keen to make the event a family affair by retaining both titles.

Demand has been climbing steadily for the iconic race each year with entry dates opened for domestic and international athletes earlier this year as a result.

McWhirter expects the last 25 places to fill quickly, with the number of competitors limited to 225 in line with safety requirements and the DoC concession.

The iconic alpine adventure race has even more to offer competitors this year with an inaugural celebrity dinner function, where top multisporters Richard Ussher, Elina Maki-Rautila, 2006 Coast to Coast champion Emily Miazga and popular Queenstown runner Chris Dagg will share their racing and adventure sport experiences. Live music will entertain.

This event will take place after prize giving at Skyline Gondola Restaurant, Queenstown, at 7pm on race day.

“The Classic attracts more domestic and international competitors every year,” said event director Evan McWhirter.

“We want to make the prize giving an event in itself where athletes, their support crews, marshals and everybody involved can meet. It’s going to be the ideal way to conclude the race and share the glory after the challenging run.”

The 38 km alpine race along the Routeburn Track starts at The Divide near Te Anau and climaxes at the Routeburn Shelter, near Glenorchy, covering narrow paths up mountains and descents alongside forests, waterfalls and over rivers.

Entry is via www.goodtimesevents.net and costs $105 per person. Entries received after 15 April 2007 will incur a late entry fee. Entries close on the 8 May 2007 or after a waiting list of more than 250 people has been established.
The Routeburn Classic regional sponsors include Outside Sports, Real Journeys, Heliworks, Luxmore Hotel, Skyline, Venture Southland and Heritage Queenstown.
A reserve wet weather day has been set for Sunday 13 May 2007.

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