There was a Hawke's Bay trifecta in the 13km solo section of the 16th Kaweka Challenge mountain race held in the Kaweka ranges over the weekend.
Racing Course Five yesterday, Hawke's Bay junior orienteers Rachel Goodwin, Kate Morrison and Emma Watson were first, second and third respectively in the secondary schoolgirls
section of the Marmot-sponsored event.
They were among the more than 400 competitors from around the country who raced in various divisions over differing distances, with a number of local athletes winning their categories.
"We had a very successful Challenge, with more entries than ever before," said organiser Deborah Turner.
"For the first time in 16 years we had over 400 competitors, including 138 on Course Five on Sunday, many of whom had already run the day before."
The whole weekend ran smoothly, with a number of complimentary comments coming in."
The blue riband event, the 41km one-day solo, went to Auckland's Heath de Garnham in 5.32:42. Turner said de Garnham was part of the largest Auckland contingent to compete at the event, many of whom vowed they'd be back in 2006.
There were wins to Hastings' Kevin Osborne in the 28km super veterans solo race and for Bay athletes in the men's and women's pairs over the 28km distance.
James Crean and Louis Kirton of Napier took the men's in a time of 5.21: 06, while fellow Napier athletes Ellen Worledge and Natalie Reid were the first women home in 8.47:31.
The other Hawke's Bay category winner was Ann Robottom, of Napier, who won the veteran women's 13km solo in 2.12:20.
