Multisport: Allan 'way out in front'

Defending Goldrush champion Dougal Allan is on target to make a hat trick of the 375km multisport race, as competitors enter into the final day of the three-day event.

Allan (24), of Wanaka, was Goldrush champion in 2008 and 2009 with times of 17hr 26min 59sec and 17hr 36min 08sec respectively.

He is "way out in front" after expanding his lead in the second day of racing yesterday, commentator Russell Mills said.

Allan was first to finish the stages on Saturday in a time of five hours and 31 minutes.

Mills said Allan "considerably" increased his lead yesterday, although exact times had yet to be confirmed last night.

Andrew McLeod, of Wanaka, is leading the individual classic men's field, while Christchurch resident Antony McGuire is ahead of the competition in the individual veteran men's section.

The only individual female competitor - Joanna Williams, of Wanaka, - was doing well, Mills said.

Williams finished the first day in six hours and 25 minutes.

She was runner-up last year.

2008 and 2009 individual women's champion Kath Kelly, of Millers Flat, was not able to defend her title this year due to a knee injury.

Instead she is kayaking as part of a team with Michael Wright, of Ettrick, and Bill Godsall, of Cromwell.

The team is leading others in the open mixed teams section, having increased its 12-second lead from the first day.

Mills said weather conditions had been close to ideal so far, with moderate temperatures.

Wind was strong during yesterday's stage through Thompson's Gorge, but had otherwise not been a problem, he said.

"I think the weather has been the best it's ever been. As far as temperatures go it hasn't been too hot or cold - just ideal," Mills said.

The only reported casualty was a wrist injury on Saturday, after a woman fell from her mountain bike.

She managed to finish the stage.

So far no competitors had pulled out of any stages, Mills said.

This year's edition of the Goldrush began at 8.30am from Pioneer Park in Alexandra on Saturday.

Competitors ran a short distance to the Clutha River, kayaked 30km to the Roxburgh hydro dam, mountain-biked 35km over the Knobby Range and Old Coach roads to Little Valley, and ran 18km to the Upper Manorburn where they camped for the evening.

All competitors had finished the first day by 6.30pm, and started racing from 7.30am yesterday, Mills said.

Day two began with a 50km mountain bike, 24km road cycle, and 15km run through the Manuherikia and Ida valleys.

A 58km mountain bike through Thompson's Gorge to Tarras challenged competitors before their second night camping.

Mr Mills said all competitors were again finished by 6.30pm.

Today they will leave Tarras at 7.30am, with the first competitors expected across the finish line at Molyneux Park in Alexandra from 1pm.

The last stages of racing comprise a 42km road cycle to Albert Town, followed by a 39km kayak on the upper Clutha River, a quick 3km run, a 53km road cycle to Clyde, and a 13km run.

Most of the 320 competitors are sharing the load in teams of two or three.