Raglan runners were up there with the best of them in last weekend’s inaugural Karioi Trail race which saw 69 competitors – including one from Austria and another from the US – traverse the mountain twice for a total distance of 25 kilometres and an 1850-metre all-up ascent.
Whale Bay personal trainer Tom Welby completed the course in 3hr 26min 11sec to come third overall in the endurance event which saw first and second placegetters Chris Morrissey from Tauranga and Stephan Wagner from Hamilton home in 3:15:22 and 3:25:21 respectively.
Te Mata woman Marion Millward was second home (4:09:13) in a field of 14 females, finishing between winner Kovo Kowalewski from Taupiri (3:44:48) and Jess Brown from Rotorua (4:53:04).
Local GP Mike Loten, who’s building an impressive track record in Raglan events, placed 10th overall while wife Joan finished sixth in the women’s field.
Local organiser Francois Mazet was delighted with the success of the event and the support from 20-odd volunteers who helped out on the day. He plans to include a “mini Karioi” race at next year’s event to attract kids to the startline.
E Symes
