Kawerau King of the Mountain

Mount Edgecumbe (Putauaki) being so close, simply asked to be climbed, and often there was a wager as to who would be up and down first - so the Mountain Race began. This was 1955 and the price, donated by two businessmen, was £50.

Some of the conditions of the race were: no assistance apart from refreshments to be given to the competitors; entering the race was at one's own risk; a compulsory stretch to be run at the beginning, then find one's own way to the top of the mountain. Mr. Jim Chadwick won the first race in a time of 1 hour 10 minutes and 40 seconds.

It's not too much different today. It's still the same gruelling 8 km race to reach the summit - 852 metres above sea level. The record set by Barry Prosser in 1998 of 45 minutes 54 seconds still stands.

Race day commences with the school relays at 9.30am and is followed by the Norske Skog Tasman Prince and Princess of the Mountain Race at 11am.  The Prince and Princess race is a premier event in it's own right and is the breeding ground of future champions, with present NZ junior running champion, Shay Williamson holding the record.

Cool video of last years Prince & Princess Race

29^th October 2011

Kawerau King of the Mountain Race-Enter Online here (160 max.)
Norske Skog Tasman Prince and Princess Entry Form 2011  (200 max.)

• Entry fees:

Prince & Princess race -        FREE
King of the Mountain-          $20.00 (junior)
                                                  $35.00 (open)

A cluster of favourite’s to take out the King title have emerged already for this year’s 56^th annual Kawerau King of the Mountain Race.

Last years 2^nd placer and NZ junior mountain running champ Shay Williamson has issued his intent with his early entry along with 7 times King Chris Morrissey throwing down the gauntlet. The other serious contender will be the Australian Neil Labinsky who has won the Trans Tasman title in Pomona 6 times and beat Williamson in Pomona back in July, not forgetting Labinsky won his first Pomona title in 2006 taking it from Morrissey.

With other potential winners waiting in the wings the 2011 race will be a mouth watering prospect, especially with last years King Sjors Corporaal who was struggling early in the year with injury. This could leave the door open for a new King, however, Corporaal should never be ruled out with his dogged determination and previous winning experiences under his belt especially having recently been selected to run for New Zealand in Wales, UK. Last year Corporaal pulled off a late surge to beat Williamson in what was the fastest winning time in 15 years, but still almost 3 minutes short of the all time record set by Barry Prosser in 1988, 45mins 54secs.

The Queen title may not be so easy to predict this year, the veteran Pomona Champ Hubertein Wichers will be making her way across the ditch and with last year’s Queen Karen Hanlen uncertain to defend her well deserved title, the Queen title could go to any woman on the day.

The big news is the introduction of micro chip timing in both the Norske Skog Tasman Prince & Princess Race and the Kawerau King of the Mountain Race. This will no doubt provide some accurate split times as well a high level of excitement for the wannabe Prince and Princesses competing.

Training for the Norske Skog Tasman Prince and Princess Race has commenced and is at 4.20pm every Tuesday from Firmin Field. Entry is free for this race and the entry forms can be found at www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz or the Kawerau District Council and Kawerau Information Centre, there only 200 permitted in this year’s race and NO LATE ENTRIES.

The Kawerau King of the Mountain Race, supported by NZCT, is limited to 160 competitors and entries are already flowing in, you can ENTER ONLINE at www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz

Mt. Putauaki is an unmistakable natural landmark in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and every year it plays host to the most challenging yet incredibly rewarding race around. If you are planning to take on the challenge, get training and drink plenty of water come race day, but most of all enjoy and respect the mountain whilst tackling New Zealand’s most gruelling mountain race. Not for the faint hearted!

 
      Prince and Princess Race

Check out the video from last years Prince and Princess of the Mountain race, courtesy of Paul Charteris (Tarawera Ultramarathon race organiser).

55th Anniversary Race in 2010

The mountain race in 2010 was a special celebration of 55 years of running up and down Mt. Edgecumbe, and this special year didn't fail to provide plenty of excitement.

151 runners entered into the challenge with some extremely dedicated athletes gracing the line up. Seven times winner and holder Chris Morrissey left it to the last minute to enter, whilst up and coming junior Shay Williamson along with Sam Clarke were hopeful of podium places. Triple Crown winner, Sjors Corporaal and his older brother Teiman both were hopeful of taking out the title of King. Thirteen times champion and family in tow, Barry Prosser along with local adventure athlete, veteran Neil Jones, also with family, both entered the race. With no Australian female entrant this year the Queen title was wide open and it would provide local athlete Karen Hanlen with an important stepping stone to success.

The favourites were most definitely Sjors Corporaal and Chris Morrissey with outside favourite, Shay Williamson certainly going to set the mountain climbing world alight as some point in his future. Sam Clarke shot out of the blocks first and stayed in the leading pack which had Morrissey, both Corporaal's, Clarke and young gun Williamson leading them all to the summit.

Sjors Corporaal hunted down Williamson to the summit who made it to the top in an incredible 33.44 time. Morrissey and Clarke were not far behind but the leading 4 men had opened up a safe 3 minute lead on the 5^th place Tiemen Corporaal. Karen Hanlen had opened up almost 4 minutes on her closest rival and all but secured her new crown.

Shay Williamson led all the way to the bottom of the mountain but the 2008 winner Corporaal simply had the stamina to make his move on the road back to the finish line, Corporaal was the new champion, crossing the line in 48.07, this was 29 seconds ahead of Williamson and over 2 minutes clear of last year’s winner Morrissey, who despite a magnificent run of 7 titles may have finally been knocked off his throne.

The new Queen, Karen Hanlen came in with an outstanding time of 58.38 which was the first time a woman has broken the hour in 15 years. Hanlen is also flying the flag for the Eastern Bay of Plenty as the first female to win from the region for 3 years.

Congratulations to everybody who took part this year and the organisers look forward to another great year in 2011, for the full results go to http://www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz