Ultra race to test limits
Alps 2 Ocean Ultra Race organiser Mike Sandri says this year’s event will see runners ‘‘on their hands and knees’’.
Being held for the second time this year, the race will see competitors start at the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook on February 24 and finish in Oamaru on March 2.
The race is capped at 120 competitors, and entries this year have come from 15 countries, Sandri said.
Competitors will cover323 kilometres – following the off road Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail for much of the journey.
However, this year those racing could expect more of a challenge, Sandri said.
‘‘We were a bit gracious on the penultimate stage last year regarding time cuts, and this year we will see runners on their hands and knees on some parts.’’
‘‘There is without doubt an extreme element that is mental and physical in the Alps 2 Ocean Ultra.’’
He said it’s not an easy race but everyone who takes part does so because of a mutual love of the sport.
The race will feature both self-supported and supported runners. Self-supported runners had to carry their own food, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and other items for the seven days, while supported runners had their food and bedding carried for them to the end of each stage.
Sandri said organisation of the race was a team effort and all members volunteered their time at no charge.
‘‘We’ve set up the Alps2Ocean Ultra Community Trust charitable trust with the objective of benefiting the people of North Otago and the Mackenzie Country, with a particular emphasis on our youth.’’
All profits from this year’s race will be given back to the community.