The ups and downs of the New Zealand Mountain Running Championships

The picturesque harbor hills provided the backdrop for the 2024 New Zealand Mountain Running Championships as our top climbers (and rappellers) converged on Canterbury for the annual championships. At Crater Rim Ultra, the senior champions took part in the “Rapaki Rumble”, a 12km up/down race with 440m of elevation gain in the first 6km before descending back to the finish. Our U20 and Masters students completed the 6km Valley View with 159m covered in the first 3km.

Joseph Lynch University of Canterbury defeated Eric Speakman Victoria University Athletics of Wellington for the men’s title in 48:40. Speakman has just won a convincing victory at the revamped Wellington Mountain Running Championships. Michael Sutton Tauranga Athletics were the third and previous champions in 2014 and 2021. Jono Jackson The ACA was fourth.

Lisa Cross TTT runners won the women’s title by more than 3 minutes in 55:10 s Beth Garland Wellington Scotland in 58:39. Andrea Peet The Wellington Harriers team won a bronze medal in a bitter struggle Penny Mouat University of Canterbury by the age of 40.

The race served as a qualifier for the 2025 Mountain and Trail World Championships, which will be held in Canfranc, Spain (September 25-28).

Full results:
Juniors, men (6 km)
1. Jacob Ridder Port Hills 27.40
2. Ben Harris Pap Tok H 30.09

Juniors, women (6 km)
1. Siena McLeay Queenstown 29.29
2. Denica Clooney TTT Runners 30.14
3. Jessica McNeilly 34.55

Older men (12 km)
1. Joseph Lynch (University of Canterbury) 48:40
2. Eric Speakman (University of Victoria) 49:26
3. Michael Sutton (Tauranga) 51:32

Older women (12 km)
1. Lisa Cross (TTT Runners Auckland) 55:10
2. Beth Garland (Scotland) 58:39
3. Andrea Peet (WHAC) 1:00.04

M40-44 (6km)
1. Lee Kook 28:05
2. Steve Anderson 30:11

M45-49 (6km)
1. John Bright 30:43

M55-59(6km)
1. David Hosking 31:00
2. Peter Caudwell 33:00
3. Jonathan Drake 39:34

M60-64 (6km)
1. Richard Brewer 33:24
2. Tim Cross 34:43

M70-74 (6km)
1.Graham Lear 36:05

W35-39 (6 km)
1. Sarah Masterton 36:17
2. Rachel Wright 1:19:26

W55-59 (6 km)
1. Sarah Caldwell 58:59

W60-64 (6 km)
1. Christina Lear 43:03

W65-69 (6 km)
1. Sue Johnson 52:52