Track shift for contest

Whakarewarewa is the place to be this Saturday for the Ultimo National Schools Mountain Bike Relay and Downhill event.

The event, run by Rotorua Lakes High School as an annual fundraiser, has been going for the past 17 years.

The track that has been used for the competition in the past has been de-forested, so the school's Friends of the School parents group decided this year the races would be held at Whakarewarewa.

Event co-ordinator Lisa Roe said the relay and races would be held at the bottom of the downhill track on Pipeline Rd and would include parts of existing tracks.

"The previous races were all held at the same track so we will find out whether it's a good thing or not - it's going to be more technical. It's quite good to do something different every now and then to keep it fresh."

Schools from Marlborough to Kaitaia will be competing for the title of national secondary school champions.

Mrs Roe said there would be about 40 relay teams and 40 to 50 people racing in the downhill event - a total of up to 250 students.

"We've got some awesome prizes that local businesses have given out. The Outdoorsman is giving out six vouchers for Under Armour hoodies which are very expensive - we've got some big ticket items like that.

"South Star Shuttles and Vegas Surf, Skate and Snow are donating vouchers, Backflips Clothing always donate stuff like hats and wristbands and we have boxes of mountainbiking magazines to give away."

Mrs Roe said it had taken her and the other parents four months to organise the event, so she hoped it would be a success.

"I hope it will run really well, the weather will be good and everyone is happy.

"I'm picking it will be a good day."

The event is supported by Descend Rotorua and the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club who will set up the course, assist with safety procedures and marshalling on the day. The relays start at 11am and run until 2pm. The downhill practice races run from 9am until lunchtime and races will run from 12.30pm onwards.

It will be held at the National Downhill Track, Whakarewarewa Forest, Waipa Mill Rd, off State Highway 5.

For further information visit Rotorua Lakes High School website, www.rotorualakes.school.nz or email lisabartle@xtra.co.nz