Competitors in the Baldwin St Gutbuster race make their way
up the world's steepest street yesterday morning.
They might not have woken up "all that fresh" yesterday
morning, but that did not stop Australian rugby fans Rowan and
Brett Bates busting a gut to prove something on Baldwin St.
"We can't have two losses in one day; we've got to win
something," Brett Bates was overheard telling his brother
before the 23rd annual Baldwin St gutbuster in Dunedin
yesterday.
The win was not to be, but competing in the world's steepest
street race was still a good experience.
"It was shorter than I thought, but steeper, but it's
definitely do-able. I would tell anyone to do it," said
Brett.
"It's a good way to run off the beer," said Rowan.
Glen Ballam (left) and Brett Bates. Photos by Gregor
Richardson.
Neither brother was a regular runner. The uphill run was
an unexpected bonus, after they visited Baldwin St at 9am
yesterday to see it as part of their RWC tour of New Zealand.
"We didn't know this was on, but we thought we'd give it a
go," Brett said.
And they were not the only visitors taking the world's
steepest street in their stride.
While a swarm of international media covered the event,
London Evening Standard columnist Henry Swarbrick tackled the
hill for real.
The writer of a daily column on the RWC fan experience, he
said he thought it would be unfair to write about the
gutbuster, but not actually do it.
The run had been "a bit scary" and hardest on the way down,
by which stage he did not have the energy to do the
recommended skipping, which might have made it easier.
"That would have meant actually having to push my legs off
the ground."
Now he had done the gutbuster, he next had to conquer surfing
at St Kilda, before heading to Queenstown, where he would be
"obliged" to sample the town's night-life.
Student and athlete Glen Ballam won in 2min 32sec, and felt
"a little bit bad" about pipping Ben Abraham at the post.
Mr Ballam had a chance to practise on Saturday, when he came
for the race a day early.
Organiser Kevin Murphy, of Hill City Athletics, said there
was a good turnout due to extra visitors and the fine
weather.
- debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz
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