2010 Queen Charlotte Classic
Saturday 6th November, 2010
Love adventure?
This is your invitation to join us in the Marlborough Sounds for the 2010 Queen Charlotte Classic.
The Queen Charlotte Classic is a real multi sport adventure. Race day is Saturday 6th November.... a perfect day in paradise. 2010 Competitors will flex their muscles and test their fitness on a course that takes them on a journey through legendary, heartland NZ scenery.
The race begins spectacularly with us all travelling by Beachcomber Cruise Boats, across the Queen Charlotte Sound, to the gorgeous Mistletoe Bay. Here Mayor Alistair Sowman will fire the starters gun, and send us off on a 14km run that takes in some of the best of the Queen Charlotte Track. At Anakiwa we will change out of our running shoes and onto our bikes.... one of the best bike rides we can imagine will spin our wheels. Swapping pedals for paddles, the 8km kayak out of Waikawa Bay takes us through the tricky waters off "the Snout", down the bays and to the beach at Picton for the finish shute. The young and super fit will take two and a half hours and the rest of us three to four hours. Teams follow the same course but with an extended bike section that gives the team cyclist a slightly tougher challenge (riding 50kms) and taking in some of the bays of the Mahau Sound and riding to the bottom of the Mahakipawa Hill then returning on the same course the individuals ride to arrive at the kayak transition in Waikawa Bay.
The race, now in its 17th year, always has a charitable focus and the Marlborough Hospice will be running some initiatives on race day as well as benefiting from your entry fee.
This is a boutique multisport race with limitations on entries to 500. (150 individuals and 100 3-4 person teams). You are wise to enter now to guarantee your place. Entry fees are refundable if unforeseen circumstances prevail.... see entry form.
You will be warmly welcomed by us on the start line. Until then, why not check out video of the event (duration: 3 minutes).
Peter Yarrell
Murray and Bronwyn Ward (from Blenheim and Wellington)
Teams Cycle course
The cycle course for team cyclists has been extended for the 2009 race to 50kms. Turning right at the Anakiwa Queen Charlotte Drive intersection, team cyclists will ride through Linkwater towards Havelock and the Mahakipawa Hill. Then return to Waikawa Bay on the same route the individual competitors take.
Support Crews / Friends
Book an "on course" boat ride with us and cruise with the athletes to watch the start, then to Anakiwa to enjoy the run/bike transition. Beachcomber will cruise you back to Picton in time to see the finish. $15 per person (children $5). Email us to book your tickets.
Discounted travel from Wellington
If you are bringing a vehicle from Wellington, our sponsor Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry are offering Queen Charlotte Classic competitors and supporters very generous half price fares. Click here to check out the Bluebridge Ferry.
