Solo runners will now be able to compete in the Taranaki Steelformers Around The Mountain Relay 2010 to qualify for some of the world's most gruelling ultra-marathons- including America's Bad Water.
The popular 153 kilometre event will remain the same for the relay teams, however, it's been altered slightly and lengthened by about eight kilometres for the Solo runners so it becomes a certified 100 miles.
This new solo distance race has been praised by running legend Lisa Tamati who will be the race's ambassador and she is predicting it will attract international athletes who need to get an official 100 mile time so as to qualify for endurance events around the world.
Event organiser Selwyn Brown says the first male and female athlete home would get a $1000 training grant. Mr Brown said November's event should also boost the local economy potentially injecting more than $1 million dollars into the district.
Events Taranaki has the support of over 190 volunteers and helpers to stage Taranaki's biggest running event, which also donates five dollars from every entry fee to the Taranaki Kids Sports Trust.
"The 100 mile race will start eight kms out from New Plymouth and finish at New Plymouth by the TSB stadium on Mason Drive. The Solo runners will start at 8.00pm on Friday 12 Nov 2010. The 2010 Taranaki Steelformers Around The Mountain Relay is an all night all day event and is to be staged on Friday 12 November and Saturday 13 November it is shaping up to be the best yet, with over 2000 participants expected" Mr Brown said.
Taranaki Steelformers General Manager Darrell Back said the extra sponsorship for the 100 mile event fits with the company's commitment to the Taranaki based community event.
"As a local company we are proud to have been the original naming rights sponsor for this event and have been delighted to see the rapid growth in participant numbers over the last 3 years and welcome the opportunity to support and promote an event which encourages people to compete and aspire to achieve their goals," Mr Back said.
Information about next November's running event is available at www.mountainrelay.co.nz.
