New-look Sport Marlborough Women's Duathlon

Entrants will have to be in quick if they don't want to miss out on a place in the new-look Sport Marlborough Women's Duathlon, with entries closing tomorrow.

This year, the ever-popular triathlon, which will take place on Sunday, November 29, has been reduced to a duathlon, with the swim leg ruled out due to the redevelopment of the aquatic centre.

For many, missing out on a dip in the cold waters of the outdoor pool won't be a huge sacrifice, with the run and cycle legs providing plenty to test entrants.

The 5.5km Heartland Hotels run/walk section will follow the usual course, starting at the Henry St footbridge and following the Taylor River Bank to Burleigh Rd, then down Stephenson, Scott, Nosworthy and Redwood streets before turning into a new MoreFM transition area in Marlborough Lines Stadium front car park.

An extended 14km Spokesman Avantiplus cycle section travels left from the Stadium and along Scott St, up Alabama Rd and on to Redwood St. Cyclists will head to the top of Redwood St before turning back to Wither Rd and on to Taylor Pass Rd and Forest Park Dr. At the top of Forest Park Dr they will retrace their tyre tracks before continuing down Taylor Pass Rd to Hospital Rd.

A final ride along Redwood St will lead to the finish area back at the stadium front carpark.

Sport Marlborough district administration manager Sarah Jennings said the race would start at the earlier time of 8.30am this year to try to avoid the heat of the day.

Nearly 250 women, aged from 13 to over 70, had entered, although Jennings said numbers were down on previous years and she urged any interested women to return their entry forms before 5pm tomorrow.

This year, local competitors will be asked to check in, collect their race pack and park their bicycles at the stadium between 5pm and 7pm on November 28.

The evening check-in will not only give participants a chance to check any last-minute details about the event but will also feature Bill Mitchell, from Spokesman Avantiplus, performing bike checks, a stall with Peak Fuel product and a wine tasting from Cloudy Bay. Visiting entrants can check in between 7.15am and 7.45am on Sunday.

- The Marlborough Express