Southern Traverse
It\'s all over
Claire Hathaway / 22.11.2002
Race director Geoff Hunt sent the 180 competitors off on their long journey at 8.10 on Monday morning. Since then they have travelled by foot, kayak and cycle 534 km over the stunning Marl borough landscape. The often extreme terrain pushed the teams to their limit but provided them with experiences of a lifetime.
The leading teams went without sleep for most of the race, catching 30 mins here and there, and an hour or two very rarely.
Out of the 45 teams that started, one was disqualified and three did not finish. 21 teams finished a short/experience/adventure course and 19 completed the full course.
A celebration and prize-giving will be held tonight in Blenheim. Teams, support crews, family and friends, volunteers, sponsors, media and management will all celebrate the the big efforts they have put in to the week.
To sum it up, here are some words from race director Geoff Hunt.
“If you think this year was tough you’d better get ready for next year.�
“The hospitality of the Marl borough people has been outstanding and has added to the warm fuzzy feeling generated this week.� Warm fuzzies? Like the athletes, Geoff has also suffered some sleep deprivation.
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