Beehives and the fire risk were among the hazards mentioned to competitors in briefings for this year's Otago Central Rail Trail Duathlon.
Entries for the race halved to 200 this year and co ordinator Graeme Duncan believed the clash with the Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival was the reason. The duathlon is in its 16th year and is always held on the last weekend in February, marking the anniversary of the rail trail opening 21 years ago.
Competitors began the duathlon at Clyde on Saturday and the race spanned two days. The second leg, from Ranfurly to Middlemarch, was completed yesterday.
Peter Frew, of Dunedin, won the men's individual title, in a time of 7hr 37min 31sec and Rissy Graham, of Ranfurly, won the women's individual section in 7hr 48min 39sec.
Breen's corporate team, Mike Sangster, of Clyde, and Glen Chisholm, of Alexandra, were the first competitors across the finish line on both days, completing the race in 5hr 47min 10sec.
During his race briefings, Duncan warned entrants about the extreme fire risk in Central Otago, telling support crews to be careful when parking in paddocks, in case their vehicles' exhaust pipes sparked a grass fire.
There were beehives along the trail and competitors should be aware of that risk as well, especially if they were allergic to bee stings, he said. Most of the competitors this year were in teams. About 12 athletes tackled the event as individuals.
Duncan said 15 high school teams had entered, which was pleasing.
''This is a great event for those starting out in multisports. It's well patrolled and a safe event for both novices and more experienced multisporters.''
Rain showers on Saturday night were ''much needed, and did not affect the race,'' he said.
The event is organised by the Lions Clubs based along the trail and proceeds are divided between developing the rail trail and Lions Club projects.
