A wheel tough test of endurance

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE: Husband and wife Ali and Greg Lang, of Gladstone, will be competing in the 13km Gladstone to Carterton wheelbarrow race tomorrow, but in different events. Mrs Lang will be part of a women's team and Mr Lang is aiming for a record time in the open event.

It is a long, hard road when you are pushing your mate 13 kilometres over rural terrain in a wheelbarrow.

Gladstone couple Ali and Greg Lang have been training furiously for the muscle-burning test of spirit and endurance in a bid to break race records in tomorrow's Gladstone to Carterton Pub to Pub Dash.

Mrs Lang will be part of a women's team, while Mr Lang will be gunning for first place in the open event. "It's jolly gruelling and tests your stamina," Mrs Lang said. "I did it the last time the endurance race was held two years ago and it took me and my barrow partner just under two hours.

"I'm looking to better that time with all the training I've done – well, by at least a second quicker."

Mr Lang, who came second last time, is aiming to beat the course record of 1hr 1min.

"You have to take it with a real spirit of fun, but underneath all that is a fiercely competitive edge. We are all out to take that record out and get line honours."

Teams consist of a runner and a rider, who can change positions at various points around the course.

Competing barrows are subject to strict scrutiny before racing. No modifications to make them lighter or faster are tolerated.

The event has its roots back in 1936, when locals raced steel-wheeled barrows 6km along metal roads from the Waiohine Bridge to Carterton's clock tower. The event was revived 65 years later.

A record time of 1min 51.16sec for the short course around Carterton's town square was set in 2004, only for the same team to beat it by 1sec the following year.

This year's races will feature children's events and the first Great Sidewalk Chariot Race, a mobility scooter race open to all seniors. The prize pool, of about $3000, goes to charity groups.

- © Fairfax NZ News