Grand Traverse tests local athletes' fitness

Marlborough Boys’ College athlete Ryan Marfell showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field in the 2021 Mount Vernon Grand Traverse staged in the Wither Hills this morning.

The year-11 student completed the 18km event in a smart time of one hour, 21 minutes, 44 seconds, ahead of second-placed Edward Hohepa who completed the course in 1.22.36.

A regular competitor in both running and multisport events, locally and nationally, Ryan said he had “just a little bit” of petrol in the tank at the finish line.

“But it wouldn’t have lasted long,” he suggested. “I had a bit of a gap to the next runner, but I definitely knew he was there.”

It was the first time he had attempted the 18km Traverse with its 950m of climbing, and he relished the experience, saying he preferred the uphill sections of the undulating course to the downhill as he was able to make ground on his pursuers on the ascents.

Ryan’s long-term training goal is preparation for the teams section of the next Coast to Coast event, but the 15-year-old says he will be back for another crack at the Traverse.

Another first-time winner was Nat Price, who took out the women’s Grand Traverse title in a time of 1.30.02. A prominent triathlete, who recently qualified for the Hawaiian Ironman, Nat was happy to get home in under 1.30, having battled a cold all week.

“I was just going to have a bit of fun today … I have got a marathon next weekend, but I think it’s nice to do all the local events.”

Having a fear of cows, after being chased by them before, Nat said, “running past a lot of [cows] up on top certainly kept me entertained”.

“It’s a cool course. I have run it by myself in training previously, but this is the first time I have done this race. It’s great training for an Ironman, the hills just emulate that tired feeling you get while running at the end of an Ironman.”

Making the day even more special was the effort of Neve McKenzie in the popular 11km fun run.

The highly-promising young athlete set a new women’s record of 58.13, while recording the second-fastest time overall, finishing just a few seconds behind her father Jeremy. The previous women’s record of 59.43 was set by Emily Marfell in 2018.

Winner of the kids challenge 2km run was Eva Owers in 9.21 minutes.