25-6 Sept.04: Auckland Self-Transcendence 24 Hour - Interim Results

Auckland’s Carolynn Tassie (46), in great form after her 317 km (197 mile) victory in the Australian 48 Hour Championship in August, ran an outstanding 222.222 km (138 miles), as she strode to another outright win in the Self-Transcendence 24 Hour Race held at Auckland’s Sovereign Stadium on 25-26 September 2004. On route she passed Sandy Barwick’s former New Zealand 24 hour record of 220.500 km and moved into 2^nd place in the New Zealand all time 24 hour rankings.

16 runners and race-walkers lined up for the Self-Transcendence 24 Hour along with 7 in the 12 hour. Twelve hours latter 4 four-person relay teams joined the 24 hour competitors. The weather was a wet and windy 11 C (52 F) at the 9:00 am start, but conditions improved during the late afternoon and the clear, breezy yet chilly night -8C (46 F) - was followed by a lovely sunny morning for the finish.

It was the third New Zealand Championship in a row for Carolynn – after her outright victories in 2002/ 3 – and certainly the most impressive. Following her Australian 48 Hour triumph she represented New Zealand at the IAU 100 km World Championships in Holland on 12^th September – running a personal best 9:40.

Any doubts about Carolynn’s recovery, after so much racing, quickly evaporated as she glided past 100 km in 10:03, 100 miles* in 16:42 and 200 km* in 21:32 (*personal bests and New Zealand 45-49 age records). In second place was another New Zealand 2004 IAU World Championship representative – Blenheim’s Annie-Marie Faletanoai - who showed promise in her first 24 hour race with a steady and well paced 173.119 km (107 miles).

The men’s victor was returning 2003 champion Auckland’s Barney McBryde (39). The lead in the men’s race changed several times in the later stages with Barney’s strong finish enabling him to achieve a personal best 185.192 km (115 miles) after withstanding spirited challenges from Stratford’s Albey Jane 179.239 (111 miles) and Palmerston North’s Paul Andewes 178.966 km (111 miles).

Peter Baillie (55) from Plimmerton race-walked 174.129 km (108) miles to become New Zealand Centurion No. 13. To join this exclusive club all that you have to do is walk 100 miles in a day - with your walking technique observed by race-walking judges.

At the awards ceremony Sandy Barwick (world 6-day and 1,000 mile record holder) presented Carolynn with the Sandy Barwick 24 Hour Perpetual Trophy, while Richard Tout (NZ 100 mile and 6-day record holder) presented Barney with the Richard Tout 24 Hour Perpetual Trophy.