The Nugget Multisport Festival Waihi Results

For the Nugget, Waihi and Waihi Beach dawned very soggy after a night of torrential rain and flooding. Several hardy and brave Hawks were convinced that the multi-sport event would be cancelled for safety reasons, but it went ahead (most were happy about that!) and so all lined up at the start line of their chosen event and, as it turned out thankfully the rain tap turned off for long enough for most to finish their race and there were no major mishaps.

Even though the rain held off, the conditions on the trails were understandably muddy, slippery and treacherous, especially for the second wave of contestants.

Several Hawks ran the Nugget Half Marathon which is a very challenging hilly, cross country course starting at Waihi Beach heading north over the beaches and then inland uphill and through farmland into Waihi. We had Kerry Suter, Mark Scott, Glenn Sexton, Marcus Daws, Mike Brightwell, Connie Crook , Kovo Kowalewski and Kay Stockman all taking part. Kerry, Mark, Glenn and Marcus were the first 4 men over the line . The girls all ran excellent times and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.

The second event to start from Waihi Beach was the Half Nugget 10km run/26km mountain bike ride. Kent Hodgson and Sheldon Gorter (Cambridge cyclist) entered the Half Nugget as a team and came in first. Unfortunately Kent struggled on the run with traction problems in the wrong shoes and graciously let Andrew Wark go past him on the last hill.

Andrew Wark, Karen Hopson and Kris Moore all did the Half Nugget run/MB as individuals and did exceptionally well. Andrew placed 5th , Karen was 8th woman and Chris finished the race in good time despite suffering terrible cramp in his legs on the 26km bike which he claims was the worst pain he has ever endured (men should have to give birth!). Once again Andrew didn’t manage to stay upright for the whole bike leg (dam sneaky alcathene pipe!) but thankfully didn’t require post-race facial surgery this year!

Good on Dion Hardy who still did the 10k run in the Full Nugget Team relay event despite competing in a few very tough endurance events just recently.

Great effort Hawks!