The Press: Christchurch race organisers aim to make event’s cycling safer

Organisers preparing to resurrect the Christchurch multisport race say a change of day and start time will help alleviate hazards associated with the cycling leg. The annual run, cycle and kayak event – known as the AMP multisport race – was canned in Christchurch by race founder Peter Yarrell because of safety concerns about the 30km road cycle from Lyttelton to Kerrs Reach.

Yarrell, who moved to Marlborough last year, has shifted the event to Picton. It will be held on November 3. Multisport athletes in Christchurch were miffed by the loss of the race, prompting Simon Hampton to take up the reins and run a similar event.

“There has definitely been interest,” he said. Hampton, who also runs a four-stage multisport event in Methven in December, said he hoped shifting the race day from a Saturday to a Sunday and starting earlier in the day would ease traffic congestion and reduce the dangers of the cycle leg. “There were concerns about the cycle ride,” he said. “But we feel that a few changes could help that. No-one wants to see an accident.”

The course remains the same, starting in Cathedral Square with a 17km run. Entrants run up Rapaki track and over to Lyttelton for the bike transition. A 30km bike along Summit Road ends at Kerrs Reach, where athletes start a 6km kayak. The race finishes in Victoria Square. New categories have been introduced, including a duathlon for various age groups. Hampton said the multisport race was a training run for many Coast to Coast entrants. “It’s also a good chance for the weekend warriors to blow out the winter cobwebs.”