A total of 109 competitors took part in the various Mount Vernon races.
Heavy rain may have restricted the number of competitors in both the Fun Run/Walk and Kids Challenge but a record number of 68 hearty souls took on the ultimate challenge of the 18km Grand Traverse main event. Near freezing conditions and low visibility at the top didn’t deter Jeremy McKenzie who won his third successive title in a time of 1hour 14min 29sec. Simon Leaning of Nelson was second and local runner Brett Forgesson third.
Annabelle Latz won the women’s title in a time of 1hour 34min 42sec. with sisters Meg and Hannah Maher finishing second and third respectively. The latter a former winner. The youngest competitor in the Grand Traverse, 10 year old Fergus Greer finished 48th overall in a time of 1hour 59min 59sec.
In the 11km Fun Run/Walk Daniel Vining from Picton took overall line honours in a time of 50min 45sec. to set a new course record. Daniel a former Marlborough Age Group Badminton representative took 57 seconds off the previous best men’s time set by Kelvin Read back in 2005. Steve Harvey finished runner up followed by Ryan Lock.
Rachel Quigley was the first woman home in a time of 1hour 8min 34sec. followed by Stella Blake and Margaret Hazelwood.
Five children took part in the Kids Challenge over a 2km course. Anna Barnes was first across the line in a time of 11min 10sec. followed by Bailey McKay and Finn McKenzie.