Norske-Skog Mountain Race

Next race 1 November 2008

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 grueling 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.

Chris Morrissey of Whakatane took out the 2007 King of the Mountain title with a time of 49:34:9 closely followed by Daniel Jones (Whakatane) on 49:49:9 with Neil Labinsky (Australia) coming in third on 51:53:0.

Meagan Edhouse of Awakaponga clinched her tenth title as Queen of the Mountain in a time of 1:03:15:3 edging out Hubertien Wichers (Australia) on 1:05:58:0 and Melissa Murrihy (Taumaranui) on 1:11:55:6.

For a full breakdown of results go to race results.

The 2008 Norske-Skog Mountain Race, organized by the Kawerau Harriers Club, will be held on 1 November 2008. For more information go to http://www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz/.