Media Release from Motatapu Off-Road Sporting Event

February 18 2014

10th Motatapu Off-Road Sporting event breaks all records and is set to be “best yet”

The Motatapu to be held March 8 in Queenstown and Wanaka is already celebrating huge success announcing a record number of entries for the 10th anniversary event.

The iconic event has become a must-do for many elite athletes, everyday folk and even Olympians and this year a record breaking 4,000 plus competitors will run, walk, bike and hike their way through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular countryside.

Entries for the Speight’s Summit Mountain Bike category closed in record time for this year’s event and entries for the Icebreaker Off-Road Marathon, R&R Sport Adventure Run, Arrowtown.com 15km Miners Trail, and XTERRA UDC Finance Triathlon events have all seen a good increase in numbers year-on-year.

The 10th anniversary event is even more special as for the first time the race is under new ownership by the Queenstown Trails Trust and all nett proceeds from the event go to the maintenance and future development of the Queenstown trail network.

Queenstown Trails Trust CEO Mandy Kennedy said she and the team were “absolutely delighted” to have a record number of competitors this year.

“Such a good turnout is testimony to the hard work of the team who have put the Motatapu event firmly on the map as a ‘must-do’ event in this country,” said Ms Kennedy.

“People of all ages and all experiences compete year-in, year-out and come from around the globe to experience the feeling of completing ‘The Motatapu’.

In another nod to the event’s 10 year celebrations, all competitors were automatically entered into the draw to win a fantastic $10,000 prize pack especially created for the 10th year.

Announced today, the lucky winner is Sophie Luther from Dunedin, who hopes to compete in this year’s race on her new bike.

“This is an amazing prize and I was just glad I was sitting down when I got the call. I couldn’t believe I’d won. I am very excited about getting out on my brand new Scott Spark 720 mountain bike, it’ll be perfect for racing and competing in the Motatapu. Let's hope it makes me faster,” said Miss Luther.

“I can’t wait to stay at the Hilton and drive around in a VW for the weekend and I am excited about the NZONE Skydive and KJet Jet boat ride, it’s all fantastic.”

Miss Luther will compete in the Speight’s Summit Mountain Bike category for the second time. Her first time competing was last year after she heard what a great race it was and decided “it had to be on my bucket list”.
However it’s not all about the competitors and the Motatapu is fondly known for its willing and passionate team of ‘vollies’ and supporters who- come race day - “make the magic happen”.

“We simply couldn’t put this race on without the support of volunteers and the armies of supporters that appear at the finish line to cheer on friends, families and those who just need a bit of encouragement to get them over the line.”

In celebration of ‘10 years of Motatapu’ for the first time there will be a big screen at the finish line showing live feeds on-course from high in the Motatapu Valley and people can catch a glimpse of  loved ones or maybe cheer on a familiar face or two.

“We have some amazing people competing this year, from the Queenstown man who has lost over 20kg to compete and is raising money for charity, to the elite athletes and Olympians, such as Sarah Ulmer, Hamish Carter and XTERRA triathletes Braden Currie and Nicky Samuels, XTERRA World Champion.”

“We encourage people to grab some friends and come down and be very much a part of the celebrations. It’s also always exciting to see if the elite title holders keep hold of their title and if course records are broken,” said Ms Kennedy.

“It’s alive with excitement.”

ENDS

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