Turangi, Sat 01 April 2000
A disappointing turnout for the inaugural National Downhill Running Championships. Only 12 senior runners and 7 juniors were on hand at Turangi for the 6am airlift by White Water Tours helicopter to the peak of Mt. Ruapehu. In near zero temperatures the senior event was led from start to finish by Norwegian runner Jarve Hottenen, currently holidaying in New Zealand. Hottenen completed the 21km event just outside the magical 60 minute target, finishing in 60:07. Second place went to local runner Stuart Galveston, who completed the 1100m drop in 61:22. First woman home was Janice Rockport from Taranaki, who became the first womens downhill running champion with a time of 62:02, finishing in outright 4th place.
Commenting on the low turn-out race director John Julius said "obviously we need to address race promotion next year, there was nowhere near enough publicity for this event. We already have plans for a live web-cast of the event for 2001. Congratulations to Jarve but I hope to see a local runner win next year and break the 60 minutes".
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The junior title went to Malcolm Te Hupi from Mt. Maunganui, who completed the 7km course in 22:07, a phenomenal time given the loose running surface, even allowing for the 638m fall to the finish line. First junior woman was Annalise Robertson, who made it home in 31:37. There was controversy in the junior event when 17 year old Gavin Williams from Turangi fronted the start line dressed in motorbike leathers and a full-face crash helmet, and front-rolled most of the first 6km to the infamous Droppers Ledge. Although first to the finish line he was disqualified after a brief standoff with race officials. Race director John Julius remarked "Gavin is to be commended for his lateral thinking but this is a serious event intended to pinpoint future champion mountain runners."
Full results will appear on the Athletics New Zealand web site
Photos and a video clip from the race will shortly be loaded on the Cool
Running web site
Cool Running 16.10.02. This article first appeared on the 'Coolrun_nz' email list. It was later reprinted in the 'NZ Runner' Magazine, but because the race date was omitted it was rendered rather meaningless.
