American hotshot Galen Burrell might not have everything his own way in the popular Jumbo-Holdsworth mountain running endurance event on Saturday.
As the winner of the 2004 Pikes Peak marathon in Colorado, reputedly one of the toughest mountain races in the world, Burrell will start a hot favourite but news that
Wellington's Mike Wakelin will be amongst his rivals has added considerable interest to the contest.
Wakelin might not have Burrell's impressive background but such has been the quality of his previous attempts at the Jumbo-Holdsworth that his chances of upsetting the American can't be completely discounted.
On the former course which saw contestants head to Powell Hut first rather than make their way straight to Jumbo- as they will on Saturday-Wakelin recorded the fastest ever time to Powell and has been a major placegetter in the open men's section on several occasions.
Another longtime supporter of the event in Colin Rolfe of Christchurch is also capable of making a decent impact. Stamina is his long suit and if the early pace is as hot as it is expected to be than he is sure to be coming on strongly over the concluding stages.
The open women's section contains a number of runners of unknown quality but likely to be amongst the leading contenders is Christine Carlton of Gisborne, a previous winner in the veteran classes.
Orgainsers of Saturday's event, Robert Barber and Helen Robertson. are "rapt to bits" with the number of entries already to hand for Saturday's event and are expecting a field of around 180 on the day.
"Everything is going to according to plan??.the quality and quantity of the field promises to be as we could have hoped for," Barber said, adding that the safety of runners had been paramount in the planning process.
