Balclutha’s Biggest Race

The Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club has raised around $5,500 to help its junior members at an annual event which more than doubled the number of entries from last year.

The club held the 4th Johnstone Electrical Bridge to Beach event on March 24 with around 235 participants. Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club secretary Lisa Lyall says "last year we only had 50 pre-entries and 50 entries on the day. This year we had 135 entries and 100 on the day. We were very overwhelmed with the amount of entries we had and were very happy."

The race included several different race options from a 21km half marathon run and an 8.5km recreational walk to the 21.1km and 35km biking events.

The winner of the men's 35km bike ride was Marthinus Hendriks in a time of 53 minutes and 31 seconds and the winner of the women's 35km bike ride was Helen Gilder with a time of one hour and two seconds. The men's run was won by Greg Hannah with a time of one hour and 26 minutes and the women's run was won by Mel Aitken with a time of one hour and 28 minutes.

It is the fourth year the club has run the event and Mrs Lyall says it's an event for everyone in the community, young and old. Participants included international runners such as Scottish woman Cathy MacDonald, who took part in the 21km half marathon while she is touring New Zealand with her husband.

Mrs Lyall says there were also two entrants from the UK. "So we were very lucky to have been able to give two tourists a highlight of their tour around New Zealand," she says. Other entries included participants from Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown.

Funds raised at the event will be going towards new boards and uniforms for its junior members. "We have a strong juniors group for next season which we are very excited with and want to help support," she says.

The club wants to make this event the largest in the Clutha District and would like to see up to 500 entries next year.

For more information about the club and for more images visit www.facebook.com/pages/Kaka-Point-Surf-Life-Saving-Club/127595013983550  

Results

Men's Bike 35km Marthinus Hendriks 53:31:00
Women's Bike 35km Helen Gilder 1.02:14
Children's Bike 35km Mitchell Hollows 1.06:44
Men's Bike 21km Ben Grant 50:01:00
Women's Bike 21km Fiona Darwin 54:00:00
High School Bike 21km Ryan Lee 50:12:00
Primary School Bike 21km Jack Dent 1.05:15
Men's Run Greg Hannah 1.26:51
Women's Run Mel Aitken 1.28:27