This means that after runners conquer the steep Ballance Street rise early in the course, they will run to the end of Shelley Road and back to Valley Road. Then they will make the slow rise up the Matokitoki Valley.
At the end of the valley, runners will tackle the steep cross-country track across the saddle to Cave Road, and move on to Riverside Road. The route back into town has a further serious climb at Holden’s Hill and a shorter one at the Waimata Cheese factory, when fatigue will have set in for just about all contenders.
The course is varied, with lots of scenery, but is unlikely to yield personal-best times for runners who also race elsewhere.
Last year, elite local triathlete Tayler Reid decided the night before to race the Classic and he narrowly beat the club’s strongest cross-country runner, Steve Morrow, in a race record time. If both runners turn up, another close race is expected.
Last year’s women’s winner, Helayna Ruifrok, was on course training for the West Coast ultra-race on the Old Ghost Road, but she has been plagued by injuries lately.
The race is promoted mainly locally and should attract graduates from the Gisborne Herald Quarter Marathon.
Club president Hans van Kregten says the half-marathon is a tough race.
“It is twice as long as the quarter but possibly three to four times as hard because of the hills and changes in running surface. For that reason, we also offer five- and 10-kilometre races that will be run from Waiteata Park while the half-marathoners are racing. The five-kilometre race will be suitable for children.”
