Mount Bealey ‘romp’

Press, 12 April 1982, Page 4

Mount Bealey ‘romp’

The Arthur's Pass Association called its second “fun climb" up and down Mount Bealey (1805 m on Sunday a "mountain romp." Two years ago. Mike Gadd organised, as part of the 50-years celebrations at Arthur's Pass, a similar run which was won in a little over 1 hour 30 min. in rain, cloud and snow. At 10 a.m. yesterday. 23 starters, including one woman and three children, left the end of the side road , on the south bank of Rough Creek to climb steeplv through the forest and to emerge on to the open tussock at about 1300 m. From there it was a scramble through the tussock, .snow, and rock to the radio marshal at the top of Mount Bealey: reverse steps for some metres and then peel off the ridge down about 800 m of. steep shingle slide. Then it was huge boulder hops down Rough Creek to the finish where a big band of “Pass people” were waiting in sunshine to welcome the "runners." They were kept in touch with progress by a radio team.

First, all the way. was the tall Chris ' Cox. aged 28. from Christchurch, running in boots — as did half, the field. Cox has a pesonal best marathon time of about 2 hours 45 minutes, but the mountains are his love and he showed his form yesterday. Second and only 19 seconds behind Cox was Dave Coulter. Wearing running shoes, he was closing quickly on Cox over the final rough, riverbed stage. Cox recorded an excellent 1 hour 16 minutes 18 seconds. The first veteran home was Rod Rutherford in 1:31.43 and the woman and children were still taking it quietly later in the afternoon. The Arthur’s Pass handbook gives the tramping time from the end of the side road to Mount Bealey as. three hours. Results: Chris Cox 1:16.18. 1: Dave Coulter 1:16.37. 2; Simon Rolev 1:22.53. 3: Peter Douglas 1:26.48. 4: Lee Walker 1:28.13. 5: Mark Neeson 1:28.15. 6; Rod Rutherford 1:31.43. 7: Craig Prior 1:32.07. 8: Stuart Genet 1:42.25. 9: Alan Causer 1:53.29. 10.