A field of 180 runners lined up at The Divide, near Te Anau, yesterday for a cool, blue sky start to the Routeburn Classic Adventure Run at 8:30am.

Conditions were the best yet for the iconic alpine race, with no snow or ice on the track, and serious contention emerged for the top spot after three-time winner Richard Ussher pulled out at the last minute.

With almost 65 more athletes racing than in 2006, this year’s field was by far the biggest the event has seen to date, reflecting the Routeburn Classic’s growing popularity and profile both in New Zealand and overseas.

An incredibly close finish saw Queenstown multisporter Jim Hawkridge net first place with a time of 2:58:53. Less than one second later, Methven’s Braden Currie crossed the finished to take second place with a time of 2:59:04. Third place went to Rob Howell of Christchurch with an impressive 2:59:08.

Hawkridge succeed in slicing over fifteen minutes from his third place finishing time of 3:13:15 in the 2006 Routeburn Classic.

“I can’t believe I’ve won this race,” said Hawkridge. “Even without Richard Ussher here the field is very, very strong.”

Onlookers noted a ‘bloody fast’ start to the race. Howell set the pace early, going out hard to the Key Summit turn off.

Hawkridge said at first he didn’t settle into a good rhythm and was passed early on by Currie and third-placing Male Peak Performer, Chris Dagg. Then his pace picked up.

“I passed Currie just before the Routeburn Falls, then caught Daggy before McKenzie Hutt; we ran together for a bit. I started to find a rhythm that I could maintain comfortably,” said Hawkridge.

“When we reached the down hill I just gunned it. I knew I would have to go hard on the rough stuff to make enough of a buffer on Daggy before the flats. I didn’t know how much distance I put between us, but I kept thinking Daggy could come back.

“Just 400m from the finish line I heard footsteps coming and I thought ‘Oh no, we’re going to have a sprint finish and I don’t want to lose this race!’ I just dug it in and gave it everything I had.”

The footsteps belonged to Currie; first time Routeburn Classic runner.

“I didn’t know the field, but I felt alright out there. I was shooting for a 3:10:00 finish and would have been stoked with that, so I’m pretty fired up about my time and position. I love the mountains here; the downhill was sick,” said Currie.

Meanwhile, the women’s field was wide open after last year’s record-setter, adventure racing ace Elina Maki Rautila from Finland, also pulled out due to other race commitments.

Heidi Wrigley from Tauranga was the first female over the line in 3:56:27.

“All I wanted was to beat four hours. The race was great and it was an amazing day,” said Wrigley.

Closely behind was second fastest female, Amanda Peake, with a time of 3:59:08. Third placing female, Catherine Watson from Invercargill, crossed the line in 4:11:00.

Forced to pull out during the 2006 race, Watson says she’s very pleased to finish and beat her goal of 4:15:00.

Event Director Evan McWhirter, of Good Times Events, said conditions were perfect and the event closed with a full field. It’s thought that various injuries and the anticipation of icy conditions reduced the size of yesterday’s competing field.

“Competitors came from pretty far afield to see what all the hype is about. One experienced international runner from South Africa said it’s the finest run he’s ever done.

“The track was fast and it was pretty dry considering recent rainfall. The weather was a blessing; we’ve never had a day like this for the Classic and we might not be that lucky again for a while. The athletes certainly made the most of it.”

Newly-weds Richard Ussher (whose 2006 time was 2:57:05) and Elina Maki Rautila have already made clear their intention to return in 2008 to reclaim their titles.

Around 220 people – a mixture of athletes and support crew – turned out for the event’s inaugural celebration dinner and prize giving at Queenstown’s Skyline Gondola Restaurant last night.

Overall Category Placings:

Peak Performers Men (18-39yrs)
1. Jim Hawkridge 2:58:53
2. Braden Currie 2:59:04
3. Chris Dagg 2:59:48

Peak Performers Women (18-39yrs)
1. Heidi Wrigley 3:56:27
2. Amanda Peake 3:59:08
3. Catherine Watson 4:11:00

Masters Men (40-49yrs)
1. Rob Howell 2:59:08
2. Tony Goodall 3:36:55
3. Juerg Muff 3:40:00

Masters Women (40-49yrs)
1. Keri Barnett 4:20:21
2. Sabina Ledergerber Muff 4:27:03
3. Jenny Green 4:46:08

Legends Men (50-59yrs)
1. Dave McLean 3:35:15
2. Peter Ruygrok 4:18:35
3. Ken Scott 4:20:29

Legends Women (50-59yrs)
1. Jude Green 4:53:36
2. Margaret McMillan 5:08:11
3. Jill Wilson 6:10:37

Courtesy of Southern Public Relations - www.southernpr.co.nz