Gutbuster definitely still on

IN TRAINING: Raetihi Gutbuster hopefuls this year need to begin training for the Easter Sunday event between Raetihi and Pipiriki.PHOTO/FACEBOOK GUTBUSTER2

Get on your bike or tie up your running shoes, there is still time to get in a little training ahead of this year's Raetihi Gutbuster.

The late cancellations of the M2C multisport event from Ruapehu to Whanganui and Taumarunui's Kururau Krusher is not likely to happen to the annual Easter Sunday event.

For co-organiser Lucy Conway, the Gutbuster is a community celebration to mark the sealing of the road from Raetihi to Pipiriki. Four years down the track, whether cycling, running or walking there are now distance options with 18km cycle and run sections as well as a 25km downhill ride to Pipiriki and the 50km cycle to the Whanganui riverside village returning to Raetihi.

"We would love to see everyone still come to our stunning region and have a crack at the Gutbuster. It would be a shame to see all the training people have done towards these other events go to waste.

"The only thing serious racers need to remember is this is a fun day out for the family and we don't give out our major prizes to the top finishers, every entrant goes into a draw to win them."

Despite not being developed as a money-making venture, ongoing support from businesses in the wider Ruapehu region sees any profits from the event going back to support Raetihi community projects.

"There are a number of volunteers who work hard behind the scenes and local business continue to amaze me with their donations of prizes.

"Ruapehu Alpine Lifts are helping us out again with the donation of two highly sought after season passes and our friends at Whanganui River Adventures have offered a Bridge to Nowhere tour.

"It's our fifth birthday party, so it would be nice if people dressed up, and we have a prize for the best fancy dress, which is able to be won not only by entrants, but also volunteers and helpers."

Registrations for all sections can be made online at: www.rideruapehu.com or on the day an hour before each section leaves the Seddon Street start-line.

Hardcopy entry forms are also available at The Raetihi Information Centre, TCB Ski board and bike and the Ohakune I-Site but register before the end of March as a late entry fee kicks in.