Tineli is proud to support Wanaka's Contact Epic which was another huge success with over 600 riders starting, including 200 returning riders from the inaugural 2008 race.

The Contact Epic began like no other race in the country. Competitors assembled on the Lake Hawea Dam, with Andrea Bocelli filling the silence as dawn broke and the mist rose from the lake. A moving ANZAC Day service followed with the, now traditional, Eminem song sent riders off on the challenging 125km course through two private high country stations in the Hunter Valley.

While Brent Miller from Christchurch won the open men’s section for the 125km Epic with a time of 5 hours and 7 minutes, Jim McMurray from Tirau beat him over the line by ten seconds, taking out the vet men’s title. Local Wanaka favorite, David Drake made second place in the open men’s with 5 hours and 14 minutes. Third place went to Mark Williams of Queenstown in 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Kath Kelly from Central Otago held her title for the second year winning the open women’s Epic with a time of 5 hours and 46 minutes. Georgie Maclean from Clyde followed her in, nabbing the second place title. Third place went to Natalie Whyte also of Wanaka.

In the shorter 95km Classic event, Wanaka athletes dominated the categories with Oliver Young from Wanaka proved again the vet men are the fastest being the first over the line at 4 hours and 52 minutes ahead of the open men’s winner, Neville Thorne from Te Anau by 3 minutes. Second in the Classic Open was Jeremy Murray-Orr in 5 hours 47 and in third place was Andy Goodall both of Wanaka.
           
Wanaka woman Lucy Fullerton won the open women’s with 6:25 on the clock followed by Jess Townsend in second place. Megan Reilly of Timaru, came third in 7 hours and 26mins.

For full results see www.contactepic.co.nz