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Goldrush NZ

Steve Cooper / 17.03.2005

The Goldrush Multisport Event is one of New Zealand racers favourite races.

Held annually in and around Central Otago on the south island it covers some 376km over 3 days and has something for everyone.

With 11 stages of MTB, Road cycling,Running and kayaking this year has attracted a field limited to 500, and to show how popular the event is those numbers were acheived within 13hrs of enties opening.

The event takes competitors on a fixed course around Central Otago following the trails and country first opened up in the GoldRush days by the early pioneers.

The Course has something for everyone, from a particularly challenging stage 7 MTB which has been described as a stage where the race can be won or lost to stage 6 and the 15km trail run thats puts competotors through 2 rather dark rail tunnels.

Then there is stage 9 which takes the field 39km down the clutha river for which kayaking competency certificates are mandatory. Some competitors are taking just over 2 hrs for this stage so you can see doing around 20km/h in a kayak you have to have your wits about you and know what your doing.

For more details on the race visit Goldrush.