Moa Hunters well prepared

The scenery is stunning, the euphoria of finishing is there for all to see at the end, but tomorrow's Moa Beer Moa Hunt mountainbike and half-marathon run is certainly no walk in the park.

The third annual running of the event at Kekerengu, south of Blenheim, has attracted almost 200 competitors less than last year, but is still a significant number at over 400.

The event has options: The 40km full mountainbike course which runs deep up into the rugged Kekerengu Valley, along the ridges and down to the start/finish line at the back of the Store at Kekerengu; the Mini Moa ride follows the same route as the 21km mountain-run half marathon and it, too, treks high up into the valley.

Event organising spokesman Pete Halligan is disappointed in the drop in numbers, but said that was par for the course for these types of events in New Zealand in the current economic climate.

He is, however, disappointed other events have clashed with the Moa Hunt, namely an orienteering and mountainbike event in the Awatere, the South Island Ironman championships at Ashburton and another mountainbike event at Methven.

As has been the case in the first two years of the event, riders of various abilities have entered – from first-time racers to top guns, the list headed by star attraction Commonwealth Games road rep Susie Woods, from Nelson. She's seeking her third successive Moa Hunt title.

Last year's men's winner, Robin Reid, of Nelson, won't be defending his title, but fellow Nelson riders Dean Fulton and George Bennett will ensure the high standards Reid and his brother Andrew set, in winning the first two events, is maintained.

Race sponsor and Coast to Coast competitor Josh Scott, of Blenheim, is one of the local hopes for victory.

Marlborough's Ian Thomas was runner-up in last year's run. He had not confirmed his entry at the time of writing, and there was also the possibility that Thomas's training mate and close rival John Kennedy may be competing.

Last year's Moa Hunt was marred by the tragic death of Marlborough rider James Kennedy, who crashed over a bank during the latter stages of the race.

Halligan said there have been some significant changes as a result of that tragedy, and a minute's silence would be observed for James prior to the race start.

The changes include every rider and runner receiving a whistle in their race pack to enable them to alert marshals of an accident or breakdown.

Two check points have been installed along the 40km course to follow the progress of each rider. Riders will be marshalled into single file at these points and their numbers recorded. In total, 50 marshals will be stationed on the course, about 10 of them mobile on mountainbikes, assisting runners or riders if required.

The race briefing starts at 9.05am on the grassed area to the east of the store.

The elite riders depart at 9.25am, followed in short intervals by the 21km Mini Moa riders and the half-marathon runners. The first riders are expected to take about 1hr 45min. The lead Mini Moa rider last year clocked 1.29.22, while the top runner finished in 1.18.22.

Thousands of dollars in prizes, mainly spot prizes, are up for grabs, and the prizegiving starts at 3.30pm.

There is plenty of car parking available to the east of the store, but competitors are urged to get to the venue early to avoid congestion.