Classic race to return

Next year sees the return of the Mountains to Sea multisport race. Pumped for it are organisers and local athletes like Mark Stoneman (left), Peter Brown, Mike Crown, Brian Scott, Aaron Cox, Malte Hagener (sitting) and Louise Bird. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 031113WCSMMULTISPORT1

April 2014 will see the revival of a classic multisport race that organisers hope could become the North Island's answer to the famous Coast to Coast down south.

In a press release, Wanganui Events Trust has announced the return after nearly 20 years of the Mountains to Sea (M2C) multisport race, which will traverse from Ohakune to Wanganui from April 4-6.

The trust is expecting "huge interest" from North Island-domiciled athletes, "who will appreciate the easy access to a rugged adventure right in their midst".

"The 2014 version of the well-known event which was last run in the 1990s follows a slightly different course off Mt Ruapehu from Turoa, to wind its way down to Wanganui along the new 'Mountains to Sea' National Cycle trails."

The new course will pass through both the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks over alpine terrain, tranquil indigenous forest, the historic Old Coach road. It will reach the Hapuawhenua Viaduct and take in a "majestic stretch" of the Whanganui River, before competitors will end their journey at the famous Peter Snell finishing line of Cooks Gardens.

The gruelling three-day event will cover 258km and comprises running, mountain biking, kayaking, and road cycling.

To offer comparison, the South Island's Coast to Coast from Kumara Beach to Christchurch's Sumner Beach covers 243km, which can be done in either two-day individual and team events, or "longest day" single competitors. Organisers say their course is "bulging with features" that will set it apart from a large number of the other personal challenge events in New Zealand, with the scenery as captivating as the challenge or completing the course itself.

They "feel sure it will become the must-do challenge in the North Island".

"With two overnight stays in the 'undiscovered' river locations of Whakahoro and Pipiriki, it's truly the back country challenge of a lifetime."

To further distinguish the M2C from it's West Coast South Island rival, the event will be open to individual competitors as well as teams of two, three or up to four people who can specialise in the different disciplines. "This makes it as attractive to the weekend warriors and corporate teams as it will be to the elite ironmen and women."

Race details will soon be published on www.M2C.kiwi.nz and for this first year there could be a rush as organisers are going with limited entries of 100. This is expected to open in mid-November, and updates will be posted on the Facebook page "M2C Mountains to Sea multisport race".