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Sunday May 6, 2012
2011 Race Report
Cyclists left the reserve at Bethells Beach at 9am, pushing into a strong easterly headwind. This traditionally challenging 42km road ride was made more difficult by the blustery winds, but at least the road was dry with a nice tail wind for the return to Bethells. First cyclist home was individual Andrew Turnbull, 2 ½ minutes clear of team rider Nick Williams. Fastest woman rider was successful Ironman athlete Larissa Marsh who was a last minute ring-in for the Not 1st Timers team. A short run up through pine trees brought competitors out onto the Super Dune where they were exposed to the blasts of wind and rain.
Gusts of wind were unpredictable at the lake. Support crews and marshals were kept on their toes preventing waiting kayaks from blowing away. Andrew was first onto the water for the 5 laps of Lake Wainamu, while 2nd individual Bart Muylle tried in vain to reduce Andrew’s lead. Blake Ingram (Team Born Slippery) posted the fastest paddle of the day. Despite the windy conditions no paddlers capsized – with the exception of one team kayaker over-enthusiastically trying to tag his runner.
The 10km run followed the stream from the lake down to Bethells Rd, then up the Te Henga Walkway to the northern end of O’Neill Beach. Running the length of Bethells Beach with a strong, sandblasting offshore wind proved challenging for the smaller runners. A fresh pair of legs allowed team runner Martin de Bock to pass Andrew Turnbull on this final run, completing the leg in a very respectable 33 minutes. A short blast along a gravel road from the southern end of the beach and the finish line was in sight. Line honours were taken by No I in Team followed by Andrew Turnbull, with Hannah Lowe defending her title in the women’s race.
Sierra Cafe Multisport Event
The Sierra Cafe Multisport event starts with a 42km road cycle which loops from Bethells Beach through the northern end of the Waitakere Ranges. Next is a short 1.5km run up and over the massive sand dune - this part of the course is obviously where the event got it’s name from - to Lake Wainamu for the third leg, a 10km flat water paddle around the beautiful lake. The fourth leg is a 10km run first through a stream, then along a trail climbing above Bethells with incredible views of the West Coast. The trail continues on and pops out at O'Neils Beach from where competitors run the length of Bethells Beach with a short private road back to the finish line at the Surf Lifesaving Club. Click here for full details on the race »
Hosted by the Waitemata Canoe and Multisport Club
The club is Auckland’s most active canoe and multisport club and is the ideal place when you want to get into either sport. The club is also great for people training to do the Coast to Coast or other multisport events.
If you want to give the SuperDune a go but have never kayaked before then the club can help you out and even arrange a kayak for the day.
On average 200 people every year have competed and previous winners include Coast to Coast champion Gordon Walker, German expat and multisport ace Marcel Hagener, legendary hardwoman Joanne Gosse and WCMC's own Louise Mark.
The SuperDune is also extremely popular with support crew and friends because there is hardly any driving involved and the scenery is stunning, making it a great day out for everyone. If you are stuck for a support crew you can even do the event without one!
All in all the Sierra Cafe SuperDune is one super event not to be missed!