Auckland marathon winner ready for next challenge

Tauranga’s Ben Ruthe won the Auckland Marathon on the weekend and is now looking to take the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run title for his second year running on November 22.

Completing the marathon around Auckland’s picturesque harbour in an impressive two hours and 28 minutes, Ben hopes to complete the 32km trail run through the Coromandel peninsula in a similar time.

“It was exciting to win the Auckland marathon last week and fortunately I feel I have enough in reserve for the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run. The Kauri run is one of the most gruelling races I have ever run and I can’t wait to do battle with the course again,” he says.

The run, which this year is sponsored by Cranleigh Merchant Bankers, takes runners from the white sands of Waikawau Beach up and across the spine of the Coromandel Peninsula into Coromandel township, through stunning native bush and forest.

“I would encourage anyone who enjoys getting out there walking, running, tramping or experiencing the outdoors to give it a go. It is one of those epic, beautiful pieces of New Zealand that is just amazing to run or walk over,” says Ben.

The 32km trail run (with a shorter 13km option available) is not only unique in its challenging location, but also in its benefit to the environment. For everyone who takes part in the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run or walk, a kauri tree will be planted along the trail. Around 200 years ago, most of the Coromandel Peninsula was covered in kauri forest. Today few of these majestic giants remain.

Cranleigh and the event management team, Adventure Racing Coromandel (ARC), hope to eventually plant over 10,000 trees so that one day there will be an avenue of kauri from Waikawau Beach to Coromandel for future generations to enjoy.

The Great Cranleigh Kauri Run is one of Ben’s favourite events and this year he hopes to better his 2007 winning time of two hours and 32 minutes.

“One of the highlights of the race is the incredible community atmosphere. Everyone from the race organisers to the participants is extremely welcoming. The race numbers are up this year and I can just see it turning into an iconic Kiwi event now the Cranleigh Merchant Bankers are backing it,” he says.

Now in its fifth year, the event attracts over 300 runners and walkers from all over New Zealand and some from as far away as Japan, North America and the UK. This year Cranleigh is also offering a new challenge to businesses.

Cranleigh director David Clarke reckons the ‘Cranleigh Challenge’, where each member of a corporate team completes the 13km course, provides businesses with a fantastic team building opportunity while giving something back to the environment. The team with the quickest average time will take out the title. Each team can enter as many members as it wishes, with a minimum size of three.

“The Cranleigh Challenge champions will be treated to a special mystery prize which, I assure you, will involve a lot of fun,” says Clarke.

Enter online at www.arcevents.co.nz. 

Ends
 

For more information contact:

Ben Ruthe

(09) 577 3582 or 027 459 6662

ben.ruthe@aon.co.nz

David Clarke

Director, Cranleigh Merchant Bankers

(09) 353 0779 or 021 988 052

davidc@cranleigh.co.nz