15th Kathmandu Crazyman
Upsets Capture Crazyman
Michael Jacques. Pictures by Bikephotography. / 05.05.2005
Established in 1990, the Crazyman has been Wellington’s premier multisport events and features within the Sportzhub.com national multisport series. After three previous wins, local athlete Al Cross went in as favourite with Dwarne Farley and Australian Jody Zerbst expected to challenge. But it turned out almost completely opposite.
Right from the start on Petone foreshore it was the Australian who made the running. The former world triathlon runner-up took to multisport only a year ago but illustrated huge potential as he matched paddle strokes with the lead teams all the way across the harbour to Eastbourne.
Cross followed 90secs behind, with Farley in tow, and while Farley initially gained time on Zerbst on the following run over the Eastern Ranges to Wainuiomata, by the time they climbed onto mountain bikes the Australian had a 3min lead.
On the big ride along the Hutt Skyline, however, Zerbst experienced mechanical trouble and as quickly as he had built his lead, it had vanished. It was Farley who led as the race descended onto the Hutt River Trail, with Cross giving chase 3min behind. With just 15k of flat mountain biking left Cross gave chase, but it was too little. Farley held on for his first major win, crossing the line just 32secs ahead in 4hrs 40min 47secs.
Another experiencing her first big win was Amanda Peake. The little-known Taupo rider trailed by as much as 10min during the kayak and run legs, but fought back on the mountain bike to overhaul race favourite and defending Kathmandu Crazyman champion Emily Miazga just 13k from the finish line.
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