Central contenders told to get on track for races

Organisers for tomorrow's Moonshine Trail mountain bike races would like to see more Central Otago contenders enter the event, which is in its sixth year.

Race director Sally Hayes said competitors from the region had an advantage with the many trails in the region.

"They have a great training ground up there and it'd be good for them to try different tracks," she said.

"It would be good to have a few central Otago people down for it."

The race was a good warm-up for those preparing for longer events, such as the Motatapu, Hayes said.

"It's challenging event - but anyone can do it, which is the great thing about it."

"It's fantastic that people like Kath [Kelly, four-time winner] keep coming back and enjoying it year after year. There is some great scenery. It's a good course and we're really encouraging as many people as possible to get signed up for what is always a really good day out."

Kelly, of Roxburgh, is seeking her fifth consecutive title and will receive her five-year medal when she completes the 40km event this Saturday.

She said the race attracted a good variety of competitors.

"It's a good, hard, fast race."

"It's a really good hit-out and you get such a good variety of people. It's fantastic to see so many people just out there and doing it."

She has laid down a challenge ahead of this year's race by promising a chocolate fish to anyone who ascended Ship's Cone without stopping.

Kelly is well known in multisports circles and has won many events, including the two-day individual and team Coast to Coast, the Contact Epic mountain bike race in Hawea and the Goldrush in Central Otago.

"I'm looking forward to just smelling the roses for a change."

"I will [try my hardest] because it's in my nature, but to win races you've got to be training."

Last year's men's winner was Ryan Cull, though it is not yet confirmed if he will be competing on Saturday.

This year's event comprises 40km and 35km mountain bike options, a 15km run and, new this year, a 5km run/walk.

The race will start and finish at Dolamore Park, 11km northwest of Gore, at 1.30pm for the bike races, 10.45am for the 10km run and 11am for the 5km run.