Numbers down, doubts for future

Numbers are down and there is doubt about who will organise the race in the future but organiser Nev Grubb is hopeful this weekend's Goldrush multisport event will continue.

For more than a decade the Goldrush has been one of the most anticipated dates on the New Zealand adventure racing calendar.

The three-day 376km trek through some of the most rugged and beautiful sections of Central Otago by mountainbike, foot, road bike and kayak has provided a searching examination for those keen to take it on.

Entries this year are down by about 40 on 2009, with only about 17 of the 280 competitors attempting the gruelling individual category.

With Richie Bailey pulling out last year, Grubb has been the sole organiser for this year's race. He plans to step down and hopes someone will be willing to take his place.

"I think the event will carry on. Really I'm just playing it by ear. I'd like to see the event carry on, but how it will carry on and in what structure, I don't know," Grubb said.

"I'm not the only one who can organise a race, I'm sure."

Even though numbers were down, the Goldrush probably still rated as the second-ranked multisport race in the country behind the Coast to Coast, Grubb believes.

"You can't really ditch it. We've always said that (it's magic), but we are a bit biased."

Dougal Allan, second in this year's Coast to Coast, will be one of the main contenders for the race, which starts at Alexandra's Pioneer Park tomorrow and finishes 11 stages later at Molyneux Park on Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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