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Wellington Three Peaks, Event Two, South Coast Challenge, Clubhouse, 29 June 2008

By David Colquhoun

Well, this one was called the “South Coast Challenge,” and it certainly proved to be that. Overnight the worst southerly gale of the year sprung up. This meant most of those who might have been thinking of entering woke up, shuddered at the thought of what it would be like up on Hawkins Hill, and stayed in bed. It was certainly bleak, but 43 real runners and walkers did venture out, and most did all three peaks. That included Karl Woodhead, who has now done 51 in a row, and a total of about 60, an impressive record that will be hard to beat.

The course was changed because of the gale. Competitors went to the windmill instead, which meant a more sheltered passage up or down Happy Valley Road, rather than the high ridgeline.  However, four particularly hardy runners were not going to let a 100+ kph Antarctic blast stop them and stuck to the ridgeline route. All arrived back safely. And those who did go the Happy Valley way reported that the wind funnel effect made it very hard running. It was probably better to go clockwise, and be blown up Happy Valley, rather than anti-clockwise this time.

Glenn Hughes took off on the last downhill from the windmill to home, to make up a 100-metre gap on the leaders, and just edge Stephen Day. For the women, Charlotte Wood ran solidly to beat the Anderson twins easily, and take a slight lead in the overall Three Peaks Championship. That is getting interesting, as it is still pretty close, for both men and women.

Thanks again to the marshals – Bart and Daphne Jones, Emma Brooks and Roger Shelton; to Lotty Turnidge, Richard Brent, Des Young and Natalie Smith for helping out at home base; and to our sponsors – Bivouac Outdoor, Lifestyle Sports and Lake Autos and Repco in Petone. A bonus for all was the superabundance of good food at the end, as we had been catering for rather larger numbers.

The results are provisional as always. Let David Colquhoun know of any errors as soon as possible and a final version will be put up by the end of the week.

The next one is on 27July. See you there.

In the table, W = walker.  Three Peaks