It was an early, crisp and blue sky morning on Sunday 14th April, as I headed out to Kahuterawa Road, for the inaugural Arapuke Super V.
Stopping on the way to pick up Sha, an adventure race friend, for her first ever Arapuke ride and to help bolster the numbers. What better way to introduce her to the amazing Arapuke trails, than a fun, Grade 3, women only, shuttled mtb event.
It was a bit hit and miss for the event team, and after including ourselves and a friend or two, we had expected 8 or so people.
When Sha and I arrived just before 8.30 am, it was looking pretty quiet and I was thinking that it may be a small event indeed.
Photos L to R: Event Manager Ngaio, Event team Raewyn and Rachel, Rookie Sha
Registration started at 8.30 am and there was a steady flow of women coming to sign up for the event. By 9 am the car park was pretty full, mainly with women riders, and their supportive others, and they ranged from event virgins to experienced racers.
Chatting away, checking bikes and getting nervous as the race start drew near.
L to R: Waiting patiently for race briefing, a full car park, Sarah, Tanya (race mode) and Scott
9.30 am was race briefing and then we all set off up the hill, at our own pace, to the shuttle bay for the first of our two runs, our practice run.
I was up the hill last, which was fine with me, as I am still on my way back from injury and had designated myself as Tail End Rachel.
Two shuttle loads later and we were all at the top of the hill, ready to have a run down the race course: About Time, Mr Twister, Rhythm and Vines.
L to R: Kahuts Shuttles taking us up the hill, 21 participants at the summit, Tail End Rachel
After our practice run, we self seeded ourselves from fastest to slowest, to ensure we all had the opportunity to go as fast as we chose, and then it was a shuttle up the hill for our race run. Everyone gave it their all and everyone made it to the finish, relatively unscathed.
Further banter and feelings of exhilaration from having finished, and then it was down to the Kahuterawa car park for more chatting, baking and the race results.
L to R: 1st Amanda, 2nd Raewyn, 3rd Janelle
Thanks to all the women who came along, the events team, the supporters, marshalls, photographers and Adele, who donated some wonderful home made natural products as spot prizes.
It was a wonderful event, that I am already looking forward to next year. Put it in your calendar. Hopefully, I can improve on my 9th place.
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