Hagener makes good his escape

He came to take part because his Wanganui-based brother told him it would be a good workout, and German-turned Kiwi multisporter Marcel Hagener thoroughly enjoyed his Escape from Kaitoke yesterday morning.

Organised by the Wanganui Multisport & Triathlon Club and Wanganui Mountain Bike Club, Sunday's duathlon got underway in good conditions along the tracks of the Harakeke Forest with 26 competitors taking part as individuals or two-person teams.

The main feature was the long course involving a 4.6km run, followed by a 10.05km bike ride and finishing with a 2.4km dash to the finish line.

Short course racing involved half that distance, going one lap along with same tracks as opposed to two.

Spokeswoman Melina Holmes said the brief damp weather of the early morning as actually an advantage on the dry sand track, as it bound the sand together so competitors could travel faster.

She was predicting the quickest to finish would be pulling in a time around 55 minutes, but Hagener had a great run to cross the line in 52.14.

"I have a race in China in six weeks so this is my speed work it's better to run with people," he said. Living in Ohakune, Hagener had been told about the race three days before by his brother Malte, who also took part.

It proved a good competitive workout against the others because the sharp bike course allowed the athletes to recover from their first running leg and then push it at the finish, he said.

"It's quite windy and loopy [on the bike] so you can't go full speed."

Holmes said they would have liked a few more entries, but was happy with 26 given it was the middle weekend of the school holidays.

The next Escape from Kaitoke will be held on September 15.