Race entries flowing in

Ohakune's Darren Gamble will tackle the AMP Mountains to Sea on April 4-6. Photo/Supplied

Three months out from the starter's horn which will set off the return of the AMP Mountains to Sea (M2C) multisport race and organisers say there are still entries available for the 100-strong field.

Online entries opened in December and started flowing from athletes taking up the challenge of traversing around 270km from Ohakune to Wanganui, so the organising Wanganui Events Trust is urging others interested to secure a spot as soon as possible.

"To date there has been a mixture of individuals, two and three-person teams," it says. "Competitors are coming from as far as Kerikeri and Auckland in the north and Darfield and Christchurch in the south.

"Local talent will not be in short supply either, with entries confirmed from both the Wanganui and Ruapehu ends of the course."

One Ohakune resident keen for his first crack at the M2C is Mountain Bike Station owner Darren Gamble, who can recall the original event from the 1990s.

The 38-year-old runs guiding trips in the region and has multisport events in Australia and Malaysia involving mountain biking, running, kayaking and rubber tubing.

"Darren is no stranger to multisport events having entered nine of the 10 'Round Ruapehu Goat' events and he can also tick off the 'Tussock Traverse' and Taumaranui's 'Kururau Krusher'," says the trust.

"He recently paddled 11km up-river from Pipiriki to the Ngapora campsite. The mission took about two hours despite locals telling him, 'there's no way you'll get up there. We'll be coming to rescue you'."

Gamble will have wife Jane on his crew, both being experienced rock climbers, cyclists, skiers and kayakers who have run mountain bike tours, lodge accommodation and their ski shop in Ohakune for six years.

He said the three-day format of the April 4-6 event made it achievable for more than just top athletes, especially if entering as part of a two to four-person team.

"This is the first one on the M2C trails which makes it special."

While the 90m kayaking leg was the biggest challenge, Gamble had some advice: "You've just got to keep paddling, keep going, and remember the 90km is all downriver."

Organisers realise the paddling section may worry some potential teams because it is more specialised than running or cycling. However, race director Mark Stoneman has a list of paddlers keen to take part.

Stoneman said: "Anyone wanting to hook up with a paddler can email the organisers at m2c@eventswanganui.com or check out the website."

Visit www.m2c.kiwi.nz for more details.