More than 620 riders from around New Zealand are entered for the eighth annual Run 79 Lake Tekapo Mountain Bike Pursuit this weekend (Sunday 31 May).
MTB Pursuits race co-organiser Margaret Munro expects fierce competition amongst top athletes but says there are a lot of recreational riders who are "just looking to cruise the 90km course, enjoy the stunning scenery and have a really good day out with friends and family".
Dunedin mountain biker Tony Hogg (34) and Mark Williamson (20) from Alexandra are back this year to battle it out in the Open Men's category.
Tony Hogg has a string of wins to his name, the most recent being the New Zealand 24-hour mountain bike title in Rotorua three months ago. The win gives him his first chance of representing New Zealand at the World 24-hour Championships in Alberta, Canada, next month. Other wins include the 2007 Coastal Classic, 80km Molesworth Muster, the Masters Games title and the Naseby 12-hour race.
2007 Open Men's winner Mark Williamson is back for his fourth year and is expected to give Tony Hogg a serious run for his money. There may also be stiff competition between Mark and younger brother Patrick (18) who's taking his first shot at the Open Men's title.
Multi-sporter Kath Kelly, from Millers Flat, is entering the race for the first time and Margaret predicts the former Coast to Coast winner will be the one to beat for the Open Women's title. Kath has won some of New Zealand's gnarliest races including the two-day individual Coast to Coast, the three-day Goldrush, the 125km Contact Epic mountain bike race and the 31km Carricktown Crusher.
Proving you're never too old to give it a go, four 70+ year olds are entered in the Vintage category.
At the other end of the spectrum, New Zealand Under-19 mountain bike representative Sarah-Kate McDonald from Clyde will be gunning for the Junior Girls title.
Margaret believes times will be slower than last year due to the amount of rain over the past month softening the ground.
"At this stage the only change to the course is the final approach into Lake Tekapo. The lake is currently very high and is covering the lakeside 4WD road so cyclists will ride the higher road in this section.
"There's a lot of snow blanketing the mountains so the views are going to be absolutely spectacular. We're hoping it will be fine and clear on the day but competitors will need to watch out for ice. River crossings are going to be pretty chilly so we're advising everyone to dress for cold conditions," she says.
Race entries are now closed but for a late fee individual riders can still enter up until 7pm on Saturday 30 May.
Results will be posted on www.mtbpursuits.com on Sunday 31 May, with photos to follow shortly after.
