Dan Balchin put up a good fight in yesterday’s Three Peaks Mountain Race Plus One, but like many before him, he could not hang with the frightening pace of the now two-time champion’s descents around 56km of the toughest hills the city offers.
The pair were neck and neck prior to sunrise, before 2023 champion Hill opened a small gap on Balchin at about 7.45am along the grinding climb up Powder Ridge.
The multiple New Zealand trail running champion had extended the gap to Balchin by Hightop, his world-class downhill ability leaving the two-time New Zealand marathon champion in his wake.
Some mid-morning drizzle over Swampy Summit failed to dampen spirits with Hill crossing the line at Chingford Park in 4hr 58min 44sec, less than four minutes off his own race record set in his 2023 win.
Consolation for the former Dunedinite Balchin was second place and the third fastest time in the ultramarathon’s six-year history. Ryan Carr was third in 5hr 13min 45sec.
Some of New Zealand’s best female trail runners were also on hand.
The event served as the New Zealand short-course trail running championships, and a selection event for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain.
Katie Morgan, who was the 2023 national champion, led the women’s race from the start to finish in 5hr 56min 8sec, claiming her second women’s title.
The most intriguing battles of the day though came over 26km.
The traditional distance traversing Mt Flagstaff, Swampy Summit and Mt Cargill, Dunedin’s Margie Campbell exchanged the lead of the women’s race on numerous occasions with Natalie Phillips, but was the first to summit Swampy, securing the coveted Queen of the Mountains title.
Phillips took control in the second half, however, showing superior ability over the muddy descent down to State Highway 1.
Despite Campbell clawing a little time back on the final peak, Phillips proved downhill prowess was the defining feature of the day, eventually finishing in 2hr 35min 7sec. Campbell was second in 2hr 40min and a flying final downhill secured third for Alice Cuthbert in 2hr 42min 17sec.
Luke Wilson won the men’s Three Peaks in 2hr 9min 8sec, just managing to outlast team-mate Douglas Golding (2hr 9min 23sec) over the final stages.
Earlier, both had to overcome a deficit at Swampy Summit to eventual third place Janus Staufenberg (2hr 13min 23sec).
Leon Miyahara won the 11km race over Mt Cargill Swampy in 49min 31sec. Aly Craigie was first female in 56min 10sec.
By Luke Geddes
