A record number of athletes will be running over in the Motatapu course this year, says Motatapu Event Director, Gemma Boyle.
"We will have a record 1264 athletes involved in a running discipline this weekend, which includes the 42.2km marathon, the Arrowtown.com 15km Miners Trail Mountain Run, the R&R Sport 49km Adventure Run and the UDC Finance Xterra off-road triathlon" Gemma Boyle says. "Together they will run over 37,000kms."
 Runners on the 49km R&R Adventure Run(Photo: Iconic Adventures; click to enlarge) |
Overall numbers are very close to the record number of entrants the event attracted in 2010 and are 10% up on last year's earthquake-affected Motatapu.
"While in 2010 we had a record number of bikers, this year we will have a record number of runners," Gemma Boyle says.
This is not to say the popularity of mountain biking has diminished, she says, pointing out the Mountain Bike sold out as usual this year.
"In 2011 we decided to cut the mountain bike field by 300 people to create space on the course, and to make way for the UDC Finance Motatapu Xterra Triathlon".
"We think we have a better balance across the events now, 2104 competitors across the five events", she says.
Gemma Boyle says the UDC Finance Motatapu Xterra Triathlon is a direct qualifier for the World Xterra Championships held in Hawaii in October. "Individual spots for the UDC Finance Motatapu Xterra Triathlon sold out this year and we are expecting close and exciting racing," she says.
"There has also been strong growth in the shorter but still very challenging Arrowtown.com Miners Trail Mountain Run", Gemma Boyle says.
"All in all, it is shaping up to be another great Motatapu on Saturday. The recent cooler weather and a bit of rain will be a welcome relief for competitors after this year's fantastically hot dry summer."
