DUAL2009 Motutapu-Rangitoto Traverse proves a winner

On a beautiful Saturday in late March, an amazing 1450 participants took part in the inaugural Multisport Dual Motutapu-Rangitoto Traverse. Competitors contested a 50km mountain bike circuit, full or half marathon over routes covering both these beautiful inner Hauraki Gulf islands. The event was based at Home Bay, Motutapu, which hosted the largest gathering seen in the Bay since the Premier Picnics of the early 1900's when thousands journeyed by steamer from Auckland to picnic and play.

The islands event, fully two years in the planning, presented significant infrastuctural and logistical challenges for the organisers. The Motutapu Restoration Trust had developed the idea as a mechanism to provide funding for its large scale long term ecological restoration programme. The restoration tasks include protecting, maintaining, restoring and interpreting both the cultural landscape handed down by Maori, early settler and military residents and the ecological landscape similar to that on Motutapu following the Rangitoto eruption 600 years ago

In close partnership with sports event management company, total sport, and with support from the Department of Conservation and Fullers, DUAL2009 proved extraordinarily successful in capturing the imagination of the endurance sporting community.

Trust chair Christine Fletcher said funds from the event would directly benefit restoration efforts. "Our vision is to plant large parts of Motutapu and reintroduce wildlife such as kiwi and tuatara, celebrate the island's farming and military heritage and reopen public access to Home Bay."

DUAL2009 also proved a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to competitors and their supporters how these iconic islands can be enjoyed by all without compromising conservation gains.

The Multisporting calendar is a very busy one but early feedback from competitors indicates they intend returning in 2010. They enjoyed the scenery (many Aucklanders for the very first time!), the technical challenges and were positive about event organisation.  Environmental monitoring results have also proved extremely positive.