Trail running: Mountain king hamstrung

Mark McGlashan has won the event five times and is keen to race the new course.

Eight-time winner Winston Fleming will not be lining up for the King & Queen of the Mountain race this year, due to a hamstring injury.

The Rotorua runner said he slipped out of a small tree during a hunting trip 18 months ago.

"It was just a small slip, but it hurt bad and it still bothers me a year later."

While the injury is healing, he said entering Saturday's race up and down Mt Ngongotaha to partake instead of win would be tempting fate.

"I only know one speed, go hard. So it would be silly to enter."

Race stalwart Fleming has competed in the event 24 times since 1977, and finished in the top three in 20 of those races.

He has won it outright eight times, followed closely by Mark McGlashan of Whakatane with five wins.

McGlashan has confirmed his entry and is excited about the new course.

"I was a bit devastated when the gorse took over the old route and we only had a partial run up the mountain. So I am stoked to be able to get all the way up this time."

Having frequently competed in the Goat Kaimai, McGlashan is used to running longer trails around 20km.

But he enjoys the King of the Mountain's shorter, steeper race.

"It's short and sharp and over in 20 minutes, so I really enjoy it. It's always fun."

McGlashan said his secret to running up mountains was to put one foot in front of the other as fast as he could. Going downhill was even easier, he said.

"Release the brake and let it go and hopefully the legs keep up."

The Rotorua Trail Running Club recently joined forces with the A&P Society and Fleming to blaze the new course up the mountain face.

This will be the first time in its 44-year history that serious competitors will be able to stand on top of the Mt Ngongotaha ridgeline before returning downhill.

Club coach Kerris Browne said the view was worth the climb.

"It's even more special because you have to climb the last 400m straight up, so that rest while you enjoy the view is totally deserved."

There will also be a shorter cutoff point for beginners, walkers and children that only take in a small climb.

The event started in 1972, and was first won by the late Jack Foster.

Initially it was called the King of the Mountain, and was run by men only.

It wasn't until several years later that the Queen's cup was added.

Shorter distances were added allowing juniors to compete under the Prince and Princess titles.

This year there will also be Duke and Dutchess awards for adults doing the shorter distance.

- The King & Queen event is $10 per entry, with registration at the event tent at the A&P show at 12.30pm on Saturday. The race starts at 1pm. For information contact Kerris Browne (021) 753 691.