Don’t know which events to enter this season? Have you considered the Hokianga to Kerikeri ‘Top Energy Northern Crossing’? Now in its second year this event is bound to become a very popular fixture in the multisport calendar.
Not only does it traverse historic and beautiful Northland scenery but it also gives individual competitors and teams the opportunity to run, kayak and cycle across the country. Traversing the top of the North Island from the Tasman Sea to the Bay of Islands the Top Energy Northern Crossing is a challenging but achievable 1 day coast to coast EVENT.
Last year 220 competitors were put through the wringer as the weather threw four seasons at them in one day. Mixed team Tracey and Matthew Brick finished in a blistering 3:45:30 First male home Sam Goodall finished with a time of 3:55:51
Deanne Hannan first individual female came across the line with a time of 4:28:50
The Top Energy Northern Crossing starts with leg 1 being a spectacular 9km run from Signal Station Road down to the wild West Coast beaches, across farmland to then climb up & over Omapere Hill to the first changeover by the statue of Opo the dolphin. Competitors then kayak past the magnificent sandhills standing sentry for the 18km paddle up the Hokianga harbour to the historic settlement of Rawene. Next jump onto your bike and follow the trail of the early missionaries for leg 3, a 71 km cycle ride across Northland to Waipapa, and finish with a 8km run along the Puketotara River track passing the Rainbow Falls and ending at the Stone Store basin in Kerikeri.
This year additional planning is going into the Kayak leg to make it less weather dependant. Due safety will still be paramount.
The Duathlon consists of 9km run, 81km cycle and 8km run to the finish.
Some quotes from competitors in the inaugural event:
"The highlight is the fantastic awesome scenery. The lowlight was that hill."
When asked "How did you like that run?" competitor Graeme Heaphy replied "That hill was horrible. Nobody can run up that, but the view at the top is amazing!"
Another said "Great course, great organisation, great prizes, CRAP weather."
The inaugural event had a great prize package that was very well received and appreciated by the competitors. All our sponsors are back again this year plus more. Major prizes include a Giant road bike, top spec digital camera, holiday weekend packages and tourist trips all generously provided by our sponsors. Every competitor is in the prize draw for these items.
And don't forget the winners trophies, these magnificent carved waka trophies could have your name on them.
Devised as a Kerikeri Rotary Club fund raising event in collaboration with Top Energy, the Northern Crossing draws the wider community together and helps raise the profile of the Far North as a sports destination. The township of Kaikohe plans to cordon off its main street especially for the event and hold a street party that won't interfere with the athletes cycling through. The Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter and other Youth programmes benefit from the proceeds.
For course details, video clips of previous events and registrations visit www.northerncrossing.co.nz.
