Multisport: First Wild Kiwi a winner

Bruce Cole-Baker's victory in the inaugural Wild Kiwi was in a familiar setting for the part-time ranger. Photo / John Stone

Bream Head Conservation Trust ranger Bruce Cole-Baker spent several hours at work at the weekend.

But it was worth it.

Cole-Baker traversed the inaugural Wild Kiwi event course in 4 hours 10 minutes and 25 seconds to etch his name in Northland multisport history on a race that organisers hope will become an iconic annual event.

Cole-Baker in action on the mountain bike leg of the Wild Kiwi course.

Cole-Baker kayaked, mountain biked and ran his way around Whangarei Heads and Bream Head, on a course that included tracks he regularly walks in his role as a part-time ranger.

The local knowledge meant when Cole-Baker hit the gruelling 14km run part of the course in first place, he knew exactly what his body was about to go through.

The 14km section featured several steep climbs that left many participants run-walking the distance. However, Cole-Baker had no problem pacing himself accordingly, and left enough in the tank for the 3km road run to the finish line.

"All of the run, I was pretty familiar with it," Cole-Baker said.

Cole-Baker had led all the way, after being first out of the water in the kayak section, giving himself a minute advantage heading into the 25km mountain bike.

Richie Crawshaw was more than 40 minutes back in second place in 4.52.08, just pipping Graeme Ewenson in 4.52.09, with Greg Allan fourth in 5.10.11.

Ruth Hutchinson was 21st overall and the first woman home in 5.42.22, followed by Estelle Plowright (5.48.47) and Kezia Trask (7.24.29).

Competitors were also able to compete in running and walking events within the multi-sport course over 8km, 15km and 21km. There was also a 3km kids' dash.

Cole-Baker, who has a 3.31 marathon time under his belt, is a keen road cyclist and mountain biker. So have the Wild Kiwi organisers captured an event that also shows off Whangarei's exquisite coastline?

"Definitely, it's a great course. Even from being up here and knowing most of the area ... being able to get Bream Head into a race course is cool."

Cole-Baker wasn't the only family member out there on Saturday.

His mum Ros, sister Ellie, brother Jeremy and niece Lottie were all competing in various events across the day.

After success in Wild Kiwi, Cole-Baker says the next logical event is the iconic Coast to Coast next year, if finances and training time permit.