1-2 Oct. 05: Records Go in New Zealand 24 Hour Races
Once again Aucklander Carolynn Tassie wins the Self-Transcendence 24 Hour Race - having now achieved outright victories for the past 4 years. Race walker Peter Baillie walks 182 km to break the New Zealand 100 mile and 24 hour walking records.
The 9th Annual Self-Transcendence 24 Hour Track Races (New Zealand 24 Hour Championship) were held at Sovereign Stadium, Auckland on Saturday/ Sunday, 1-2 October 2005.
Carolynn - after struggling in the middle part of the race - ran very well in the latter stages to move away from her I.A.U. 100 km World Championship team mate, Val Muskett from Otago, to finish with 203.291 km.
Val - running her inaugural 24 hour - led into the second half; slowed down; but kept going - showing grit and perseverance to record 186.175 km - adding 13 km to Margaret Hazelwood's New Zealand women's 50-59 record.
Race walker Peter Baillie broke Gerald Manderson's 1998 New Zealand 24 hour race walking record by 5 km - covering 182.648 km. Along the way he set a new 100 mile best of 21:04:59. Fellow race walker, Aussie Geoff Hain, walked 162.474 km (100.9 miles) to become New Zealand Centurion C14.
The men's 24 hour race was won by Paul Andrewes from Palmerston North. Paul ran steadily as the early leaders faded and improved his 2004 personal best by 14 km to finish with 192.087 km.
Former New Zealand 100 km champion, Shaun Cooper (Auckland) showed his best form for some years with strong consistant running in the Self-Transcendence 12 Hour Race. Shaun finished 1.2 km ahead of Ian Curtis' 1997 race record - with a fine 134.799 km. He was followed by Mark Morrison (Hawkes Bay) who ran a very good race to reach 121.466 km.
Cliff Fraser from Hamilton ran an excellent 6 hour race to complete 69.551 km. He was followed by 21 year old Armenian/ Aucklander Hayk Bayanduryan who showed promise with 63.321 km.
The Self-Transcendence 12 hour Teams Relay was won by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team - Men (143.811 km) from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team - Women who ran 132.575 km.
The 46 participating runners and race walkers were from around New Zealand and from Australia, France and South Korea - 20 ran/ walked in the 24 hour, 6 in the 12 hour, 4 in the 6 hour and 4 four-person teams ran in the 12 hour teams relay.
