Runner a three-time Routeburn winner
Queenstown runner Sarah Douglas has become the first person to win the Routeburn Classic three times.
On Saturday, Douglas was among a sold-out field of 400 runners in the 19th edition of the 32km trail run, which is held on the Routeburn Track, the shortest of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The trail connects two South Island national parks and includes beech forests, alpine passes and waterfalls.
On a day of perfect weather, Douglas crossed the line in 3hr 24min 7sec. That time was eight minutes shy of the course record, which she set in 2014.
“I didn’t really have a plan going into the race other than to take it how it came, and I had a lot of fun,” she said.
After a foot operation early in the year, Douglas had been unsure whether she would run in the event. However, a month of training leading up to it gave her confidence that she was fit enough to compete at the level she expected.
“I’ve always put the Routeburn Classic on the calendar because I love distance,” she said.
“It’s got a really good mix of technical terrain and flat terrain – plenty of uphill and downhill.
“I’m stoked to be able to come back and take the win for another year.”
Australian runner Kelsey Lewis was about four minutes behind Douglas to take second place in the women’s section, followed closely behind by Ruby Knight.
The overall winner was Auckland’s Toby Batchelor, who won the men’s section in a time of 2hr 48min 2sec.
Last year he was beaten by Haunschmidt by two minutes.
“While I didn’t get to race David again, it was nice to get the top spot in a competitive field,” Batchelor said.
David
Australian Douglas Golding crossed in second place in 3hr 3min 41sec, with Louis Schindler a further five minutes back.
Among the field was well-known New Zealand radio broadcaster Dom Harvey, who said he was happy to be back enjoying world-class scenery and an epic backcountry trail for what was his third time.
“I love the distance of this event – it’s a challenge, but not impossibly difficult,” he said.
“You never know what you’re going to get. The last time I raced, it was snowing at the Harris Saddle. And this year, it couldn’t have been more beautiful.”
■ The Routeburn Classic has been marred in recent years by cancellations. Adverse weather conditions meant the 2018, 2019 and 2020 events did not go ahead, and the 2022 edition was called off because of Covid-19 restrictions.