‘Absolutely’ right time to launch Mt Isthmus Traverse

ActiveQT event course team members Hywel Dinnick and Laura Wallis, of Queenstown, on the new Mt...
ActiveQT event course team members Hywel Dinnick and Laura Wallis, of Queenstown, on the new Mt Isthmus Traverse trail beside Lake Hawea. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The Covid-19 pandemic and border closures have resulted in the cancellation of many sports events but they have also provided the impetus to hold a new one.

ACTIVE QT managing director Adrian Bailey, the man behind the Peak to Peak multisport Race, triFACTOR Wanaka and Aoraki Mount Cook Marathon, has now added the Mt Isthmus Traverse to his calendar of events.

Bailey said he had been wanting to "do something" in the Lake Hawea and Wanaka area for some time and had talked to Glen Dene Station owners Richard and Sarah Burdon just before the Covid-19 restrictions.

"They were very enthusiastic about an event on their station and the beauty of it is with having such a large backyard they have access to a four-wheel drive track, a farm track, road and forest trails."

Post restrictions, Bailey began co-ordinating the different courses and recently launched the website and online registration.

He said judging by the online registrations so far it was "absolutely" the right time to launch a new event.

"If it was just a trail run then probably not, but because this is on private land and because of where it is beside Lake Hawea, people are going to travel far and wide in New Zealand to come and enjoy the trail, the course and the Lake Hawea hospitality."

The inaugural Mt Isthmus Traverse off-road running event will take place on November 14, and comprise a looped 42km marathon run as well as looped 25km, 10km and 5km events. There was also an option to walk the courses, except for the marathon.

Bailey said the variety of terrain would be a huge attraction but the "wow factor" was definitely the views.

"Wherever you are on the course you are surrounded by mountain scenery, but when you are running along the ridge and descending back to the lakeside the views are just something else."

Bailey said he had designed the event so it was achievable for all standards.

 

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