Jumbo-Holdsworth trail race organiser Andrew Thompson is rapt to get racing back to normal after last year’s race was impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.
That has given runners the option to run one of two ways — the championship Holdsworth-Jumbo course or the “fun run” Jumbo-Holdsworth route in the Tararua Range, both over 24kms. Last year’s race was restricted to the Holdsworth-Jumbo direction, and runners were sent off in waves.
Entries for both races sold out last week, with 125 picking the championship course and another 100 choosing the alternative course.
Thompson expects close competition and possibly new winners with 2022 champions Gene Beveridge and Imogene Scott overseas.
Two veterans, previous winner Dan Clendon, and Dougal Thorburn are likely to be among the frontrunners.
David Haunshmidt, a doctor originally from Scotland, has been in outstanding form and is backing up from finishing third in the Goat Adventure Run in Tongariro last weekend. He has also previously placed in the Kepler Challenge.
2022 runner-up and King of the Mountain Glen Chesterman, and Asher Cook, who was fourth last year, are others Thompson predicts to be to the fore.
In the womens event, last year’s fourth placegetter Kelly Davenport, previous winner Piet Klade, and Deborah Lynch, a strong triathlete-runner from Olympic Harriers, are athletes that Thompson expects to challenge for the podium.
Another 100 runners will face the starter’s gun for the 12km Hooper Loop race. Thompson believes veteran Hugh Taylor and Wairarapa-Bush rugby captain James Goodger, who unluckily had a fall in last year’s race, are among the favourites in the men. Previous winner Georgia Cassidy is a leading contender in the women’s race.
Thompson said some rain is forecast for the Tararua range but is confident all races will go ahead without a hitch.
“It could be wet, but we’ll keep the race as scheduled, and if there’s a bit of an issue, we’ve got an alternative course that is just as long and hard but won’t go over the tops.”
The two 24km races start at 8am and the Hooper Loop at 9am.
