Mountain fever is almost upon the Eastern Bay of Plenty again with the annual 57th Kawerau King of the Mountain taking place on Saturday 27th October.
Organised by the Kawerau Harriers Club and involving up to 160 Athletes from around New Zealand and the world who will take part in the gruelling 8 km race to the summit of Mt Putauaki [Mt Edgecumbe] – 852 metres above sea level.
The winner is granted the title "King of the Mountain" and the first female is given the crown as "Queen".
Events begin on Saturday from 9.30am at Firmin Field with the newly named Radio 1XX King of the Mountain School Relays at 9.30am followed by the popular Norske Skog Prince & Princess of the Mountain from 11am and the main event The Kawerau King of the Mountain race from 12pm.
Kawerau District Council's events coordinator Lee Barton says entries are already flowing in for this years iconic mountain climb with one entry raising a few eyebrows coming in from Calgary, Canada.
"With the possible absence of last year's second place and Eastern Bay running icon Sjors Corporaal and last year's first place champion Shay Williamson struggling from injury, there is no clear favourites for "King of the Mountain" as yet so it is anyones title."
"10 times Queen Meagan Edhouse will also be entering after several years away along with New Zealand running champion Helen Rountree from Hamilton who has just returned back to NZ after competing for the World Mountain Climbing trophy in Italy but her relative inexperience with Putauaki could play into the hands of some of the locals." Mr Barton says.
For those that just want to challenge themselves and their mates against the mighty mountain it's time to get your mountain goat boots on and be ready for another excellent Kawerau King of the Mountain race, 27th October 2012.
Early bird entries are available until 13 October and you can enter online through www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/newsandevents or www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz.
You can also find the Mountain Race on Facebook where important updates and the latest info will be posted, at www.facebook.com/KawerauKingOfTheMountain.
