Press Release: Kawerau District Council / Kawerau King of the Mountain Race.

Who will be the king and queen this weekend in Kawerau.

For immediate release: 25.10.2012

The final countdown is underway as entries flood in for this years 57th annual Kawerau King of the Mountain race.

Organised by the Kawerau Harriers Club the grueling 8km race up Putauak [Mt. Edgecumbe] - 852 metres above sea level will involve up to 160 competitors and some of NZ's and the worlds most elite mountain runners.

The winner is granted the title "King of the Mountain" and the first female competitor is given the crown as "Queen".

Events begin on Saturday [27 October 2012] from 9.30am at Firmin Field with the newly named Radio 1XX King of the Mountain School Relays at 9.30am followed by the popular Norske Skog Prince & Princess of the Mountain from 11am and the main event The Kawerau King of the Mountain race from 12pm.

Kawerau District council events coordinator Lee Barton says this years entries have raised a few eyebrows.

"We have had entries in from around the world including one as far as Calgary, Canada and also Australia."

"The weather on race day is looking good, and with the positive amount of entries this year the event is going to be a big day with a good field of local, national and international athletes vying for the title."

"However, the question of who will claim the throne is unknown at this stage and with last years 1st and 2nd place getter's vying for the throne again this year the race is any ones." Mr Barton says.

Entries for the main event are now closed.

For more information and to keep up with the latest from the mountain race check out www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/newsandevents or www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz the event is also on facebook at www.facebook.com/KawerauKingOfTheMountain.

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