MULTISPORT

Town To Tide Multisport Race Takes In Stunning Slice Of Wairarapa

By Wairarapa Multisport Club

Multisport enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to explore a beautiful slice of the Wairarapa this summer thanks to Town to Tide, a new event on the sporting calendar.
 
Trust House Town to Tide, organised by the Wairarapa Multisport Club in conjunction with Orui Coastal Walk, will be held on Sunday 24th January 2016 and will feature a triathlon option and biathlon option. The triathlon includes a 44km road cycle, 14km kayak and 16km run triathlon while the biathlon is a 44km bike and 16km run. Both events are open to individuals or teams and will see participants cover a slice of coastal property previously only open to walkers.
 
“Trust House Town to Tide will take participants on a fantastic journey through some of the Wairarapa’s most scenic areas including farmland, the Whareama River and along the Orui Coastal Walk track before finishing at picturesque Riversdale beach,” says event spokesperson John Allen. “It will be a challenging day out for competitors and all money raised from the event will go back into the community, raising money for the new Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club premises.”


The Whareama River forms one scenic part of the 2016 Trust House Town to Tide multisport event in the Wairarapa. Photo courtesy of Wairarapa Multisport Club
 
The Town to Tide will begin in Masterton and see cyclists wind eastwards through undulating farmland towards the Whareama River where they will transition from bike to either kayak or waka or paddle board. The out and back paddle section will take participants downstream to a turn-around point marked by a buoy before they transition to the run - 16km across farmland. This track is used as part of the established Orui Coastal Walk, a multi-day walk that traces part of the Wairarapa coastline over private property. Following this, runners will complete a short distance along the beach before crossing the finish line near the Riversdale surf lifesaving club.
 
Sarah Broughton, spokesperson for the Orui Coastal Walk, is thrilled to be part of the community event.
 
“We are delighted that multisport competitors are able to run along our Orui Coastal Walk track and to enjoy the views of the secret gem of the Whareama River, plus our magnificent coastline,” she says. “As supporters of our local surf club we’re thrilled to help with this important fundraiser.”
 
Town to Tide is being held as part of Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Cycle Festival, a week-long event concluding at Wellington Anniversary Weekend. This makes for the perfect opportunity for participants to enjoy a long weekend stay in the Wairarapa.


Derek Cox runs along Riversdale Beach to win this year’s Town to Tide which is next being held in the Wairarapa on January 24th 2016. Photo courtesy of Wairarapa Multisport Club

In addition visitors can watch top level racing taking place thanks to the New Zealand Cycle Classic, a premier international men’s road cycle tour to be staged in the region from January 20th – 24th 2016. The feature stage of the Cycle Classic will be held on Saturday 23rd and see elite riders complete 153km, including a gruelling hill-top finish on top of Admiral Hill in Gladstone.
 
To enter Town to Tide visit www.wmsc.org.nz or email Laurence Kent on Laurence.kent@xtra.co.nz and for more information on any of these events visit www.wairarapanz.com.