15 years after they first entered the inaugural Kururau Krusher, the "lads" are now in the veteran category, but Mike Logue and Ivan Hill keep coming back for the iconic Taumarunui event.
 Ivan Hill (left) and Mike Logue (right)(Photo: Event Day; click to enlarge) |
There's been some turn-over in their team over the years but Mike credits the community atmosphere and the infamous mountain bike leg for keeping his interest for well over a decade.
"There's just a cool feeling out there" explains Logue, "the locals give it a really personal touch and community spirit. People love the Krusher...even if some do fill their pants when the guns go off at the start" he laughs.
The shotgun start is one of the Kururau Krusher's trademarks, and kicks off the challenging 109km course with a 44km road cycle, followed by a 16km run to arrive at the Whanganui River for a 23km paddle, and finishing with a 26km mountain bike back into Taumarunui.
The event attracts a strong local field each year, including Rachel Cashin who this year will be competing in the 2 person team section on the back of a 6th placing at the recent Speight's Coast to Coast.
Race organisers are thrilled with the continued local support for the event and also look forward to keen multi-sporters from further afield discovering Taumarunui Multisport Club's best kept secret.
It's in the popular 4 person team section where the Team "Local Lads" has remained over the years but Mr Logue laughs off suggestions he can't hack the pace as an individual. "I'm definitely not too old for the individual section" defends the 51yr old local plumber. "My knees just give me grief when I run and my back gives me grief when I paddle so I'm sticking to the bike legs for now".
"Don't be put off if you're missing a team member, just give us a call and we'll find you a runner, kayaker or cyclist" says Club Chairperson Ray Wright. "You might even get Mike or Ivan as your ring-in one year" he jokes.
Logue agrees he's unlikely to miss an event in the near future, "I see no reason why I won't be on the start line for the 20th anniversary and beyond" he assures.
The Jilesen Contractors Kururau Krusher is organised by the Taumarunui Multisport Club and is to be held Saturday 23 February 2013. Enter online or download an entry form at www.kururaukrusher.co.nz. Full course descriptions and past results also available online.
