Multisports: Rivals' meeting spawns mighty event

Word of mouth has seen competitor numbers in the Xterra Motatapu event grow to 3500. Photo / Camilla Stoddart

A chance encounter between former top ironman triathletes and old rivals Gavin Hawke and Geoff Matthews led to the creation of the Xterra Motatapu UDC Finance Triathlon.

Hawke told Matthews that he wasn't returning until he could do the triathlon.

Matthews was a little lost and asked: "What triathlon?" Hawke said: "Swim in Glendhu Bay, bike the Motatapu Mountain Bike and run the Miners Trail."

Matthews was astonished. "It was my event but it never occurred to me to run a triathlon. He beat me fair and square to the idea, damn him."

Matthews said Hawke talked about the event being a "real old-school triathlon".

"When Gavin and I first started competing, a lot of triathlons were run over very challenging terrain - the tougher the better, usually."

After a successful debut last year, the Xterra Motatapu Triathlon makes a return next weekend in Wanaka.

Motatapu, which now boasts six events throughout Central Otago, is considered New Zealand's top off-road sporting event. It holds this mantle for good reason, as it keeps innovating. This year it will add a special offering.

"We are also testing out a multisport event this year, which includes 15km kayak down the Matukituki River, 55km mountain bike ride and a 15km mountain run," said race director Gemma Boyle.

It has attracted some of New Zealand's best triathletes, including nine-time Coast to Coast champion Steve Gurney.

Motatapu is a rare opportunity to race on some special territory.

"It's a once-a-year access to some of New Zealand's most amazing scenery," Boyle said.

"We have event options that are very achievable and attract people from all walks of life taking on the challenge, from the elite athletes to friends and families out there enjoying themselves."

The largest field size of all the races in the Motatapu Challenge is the mountain bike event, which attracts 2000 riders.

It is all a long way from where it began. Motatapu was born in 2005, with the mountain bike ride and marathon as the two event options. It attracted 1300 competitors.

Ever since, word of mouth in the south has seen the numbers grow to 3500. There is no doubting the popularity of Motatapu.

"[People] just love getting out into the mountains," said Boyle.

"They also enjoy the atmosphere with all the different events that have been developed over the years."

Those looking for the toughest event to take on are directed towards the adventure run, which is designed for elite athletes.

"The adventure run has to be up there as one of the toughest races in New Zealand, with four massive peaks to ascend and descend."

Walkers are encouraged to attempt the marathon and Miners Trail courses.

Boyle had some straightforward advice for newcomers to the Motatapu events this weekend: "Hit the hills as part of your training."

Motatapu Challenge

When: March 10
Where: Motatapu Station, Central Otago
Mountain bike summit: 47km high-country ride from Wanaka to Arrowtown
Off-road marathon: 42km off-road run/walk from Motatapu Station to Arrowtown
Adventure run: 49km run over four peaks with 2790m total ascent
Miners Trail: 15km run/walk loop from Arrowtown
Xterra triathlon: 2km swim, 47km mountain bike and 15km run
Multisport: 15km kayak down the Matukituki River, 55km bike ride and 15km mountain run.

pete.thornton8@hotmail.com