320 take Top of the Rock challenge

 

The promise of spectacular views drew a record number of participants to the Kaiwaka Sports Association's fifth annual multi-sport event, the Top of the Rock.

Three hundred and thirty enthusiasts from as far away as Tauranga entered, with the majority choosing the 5km or 10 km walk/run option with the opportunity to enjoy iconic Baldrock Mountain's sweeping views.

The more serious competitors tackled the challenging 10km run plus 15km mountain bike course or the 30km or 14km mountain bike routes.

TV’s Brendon 'The Money Man' Johnson was there to hand out the awards. With generous sponsors, there were over 90 prizes up for grabs.

Mangawhai Tyres kindly donated $50 for the oldest competitor, won for the third year in a row by 84 year-old Trevor Brljevich from Maungaturoto.

An early bird prize pack of cycling accessories donated by My Bike in Whangarei went to Morris Gray and a $200 meal voucher donated by Smashed Pipi in Mangawhai was won by Leah Mitchell.

Over 50 volunteers helped run the event. Winner of the volunteers prize draw was Karen Stewart who won a beautiful hand-carved pendant, donated by Perry Allan of Bone Idol Carvings.

A special prize was given to Merv Huxford, who was passing everyone in the bike event – and then got a puncture!

A lawnmower, generously donated by Steve Elliott of Kaiwaka Motorcycles, was raffled off and went to Chris Wilson.

The main spot prize of a mountain bike, kindly sponsored by My Bike in Whangarei was won by an excited Rita Roland-Kristensen.

Event photos can be viewed on the Kaiwaka Sports Complex facebook page and on kaiwakasports.co.nz.

Results
Run + bike (male) Jeremy Smart; Run & bike (female) Hayley Hodgetts; Team run & bike - Mark Hodgetts & Wayne Hodgetts; 30km bike (male) Matt Andrew; 30km bike (female) Marquita Gelderman; 14km bike (male) Bob Mills; 14km bike (female) Katie Smart; 10km run (male) Josh Baptist; 10km run (female) Hillary Meyer; 5km run (male) Gareth Ferguson; 5km run (female) Holly Kenyon & Holly Anderson.


ROCK TOP: Jenni Mansell from Waipu climbs to the peak of Baldrock Mountain.