The secret is out

Press release

July 29 2009

The secret is out

Great Barrier Island has kept a very special marathon secret – until now. For several years a Wharf to Wharf marathon has been held on the Island, mainly for locals, but for the first time, the race is being promoted to everyone with a sense of adventure. This is possible through the sponsorship of Great Barrier Airlines, and the race will be known as the Great Barrier Airlines Wharf to Wharf.

The race starts at the Port Fitzroy wharf and ends 40km later at Tryphena wharf. The route takes runners, walkers and mountain bikers through mature bush, the main settlement areas, and past some of the coastline Great Barrier Island (GBI) is famous for. It’s truly spectacular by nature.

After the first couple of kilometres around the edge of Port Fitzroy harbour, the race will be run along the Forest Road through the DoC estate. This 13km stretch of off-road rugged terrain goes through mature forest with spectacular views of the turret-like pinnacles of volcanic rock and steep bluffs of central Barrier. The forest road emerges inland from Whangaparapara, the site of New Zealand’s last whaling station and the often used safe haven for Radio Hauraki in the pirate years.

The race then continues across the road and along the Te Ahumata track, winding through the hill country and beneath the white cliffs visible from the road far below. From the track, views are of Kaitoke Beach to the east and the Coromandel and Hauraki Gulf to the west. The track emerges on the road to Blind Bay and, at last, onto tar seal. Once past the crossroads, the race turns south into Claris, past the police station, the medical centre and the airport. You then head across a coastal wetland behind Kaitoke and Medlands beaches and past some of the earliest farms established on the Island.

From here on, it’s all up-hill and down-hill – up Medlands Rd past Needle Rock and Station Rock and down the other side to the west coast. This road offers spectacular views and it is well worth looking back over Medlands, Kaitoke and up the coast to Arid Island as you go up the hill. Once over the crest, the road again travels through mature forest and down to the Tryphena Harbour beaches. The last couple of kilometres hug the coast, past Pa Beach, Gooseberry Flat, and Mulberry Grove. It is then a short sprint to the finish line at the Tryphena Wharf.

Organising an event like this is a bit of a mission as Great Barrier Island is a centre of sustainability. There is no mains power and no reticulated water –for Islanders, dealing with solar power and their own water collection is an everyday event but for off-Islanders, it is a first hand experience of what sustainability means.

The Barrier is an off-shore island, 90 kms from Auckland. Special airfares and ferry fares have been arranged for participants and there is plenty of on-Island accommodation for those staying the weekend.

The race will be held on October 10th and entry forms are available on the website www.thebarrier.co.nz/wharf2wharf. The entry fee is $50 and all proceeds go to Kaitkoe School on the Island.

Current record holders for the race are Kylie Robins (Adult Runner) 4hrs 32 mins; Mike March (Men’s Bike) 2hrs 21 mins; Trudy Rainbird (Women’s Bike) 4hrs; Jess Lawson (Under 16 Bike) 2hrs 56min; and Robin Joynes (Adult Walker) 5hrs. The Department of Conservation holds the team record at 4hrs 34mins.

Those looking for a new challenge should book their place for the GBI Wharf to Wharf and get ready for a great race in a great place.

ENDS

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