New ultra race deemed a success
Competitors braved the rainy Easter weekend to run 6.7km every hour on the hour until they could run no more at the inaugural Alexandra Carousel Backyard Ultra race.
Event co-organiser Tom Heath said 49 runners took to the course and ran laps until there was only one person left.
Cromwell man Kieran Phillips was the last runner standing, completing 26 laps of the course and covering 172km.
The first runners had dropped out after three laps, which meant they had almost covered the distance of a half marathon.
Mr Heath said it was special to see people complete three laps of the course and double their personal bests from three weeks ago.
As well as success on the track, the event successfully raised $530 for Bowel Cancer New Zealand and I Am Hope.
Mr Heath said the event was an incredible success with nothing but praise from the runners and their support crews.
"It's always difficult to know what's going to happen on your first event.
Kieran Phillips, of Cromwell, was the last runner standing at the Alexandra Carousel Backyard Ultra after running 26 laps in 26 hours. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
"It was a massive success with 50 people.
"So yeah, it was just fantastic to really get anyone to turn up, to be honest."
The course was also praised by runners for its scenery
"Everyone just said it was so beautiful which obviously Central Otago is, but especially this time of year during autumn.
"We've got just some amazing-coloured golden trees at the moment which just really made it special."
Mr Heath said he was proud of the event and with a few tweaks to the course, the Carousel Backyard Ultra would return next year bigger, better and raising money again.
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