350 people competed in the fifth Karioi Classic held in and around Raglan on Sunday July 27th. For the first time there was a running event to complement the traditional cycling event. Fifty runners competed in the 47km gravel and off road event and there were about 300 in the cycling event. The runners headed off around the mountain at 7.30am. They were joined by the cyclists at 10am with a mass start from Stewart St turning immediately into Wainui Rd then racing towards Mount Karioi on the 57km gravel road circuit. The Raglan Highland Band played as the cyclists took off.
The runners followed the original course around Mt Karioi, but with a significant twist. After 15km, the course took the runners up Karioi up to the bush line and then rejoined the coastal road. with the last 5km wl take you on Ngarunui Beach back to Raglan.
The runners’ prize giving took place at the Raglan Sunset Motel at 2.30pm followed by the cyclists’ prize giving at 3.30pm.