Tackling a 100 mile challenge

A group of Tauranga athletes are preparing to return to Opotiki for another bash at the tough 100 mile Motu 160 mountain bike/road cycle race next month.

Vowing to never to return after taking part for the first time in 2013, the group encouraged by Sport Bay of Plenty trustee Jo Tisch will line up again on October 11.


The Tauranga crew taking on the Motu 160.

The decision comes after the pain faded and a sense of accomplishment set in over a few cold drinks, with the whole crew deciding to give the race another crack.

On the back of the Motu 160 the crew went on to have a great triathlon season, with at least part of the success put down to the training from last year's event.

Tisch says the event is an ideal goal for triathletes at the end of winter.

'It prepares you so well as the first fixture in a calendar of Spring events that includes the K2, the Taupo Cycle Challenge and the Rotorua Half.”

The crew all went on to make selection for various New Zealand World Championship team - Tisch having a great result at Xterra Rotorua, good enough to gain selection to the World Champs in Hawaii this October.

With the Worlds in sight, she will team up and is tackling the 65 km mountain bike section at this year's Motu 160.

Tisch's team mate is Debbie Clark, who finished second at last year's Motu 160 and went on to have a great year.

She is currently competing at the World Long Distance Triathlon Championships in China, hoping for a podium finish in her 55 to 59-year-old age group.

Other members of the crew include husband Jonathan Tisch, teaming up with Graham Shanks while two other members of the crew, Brent McKay and Chris Ryan, will compete in the solo section again.

For Chris, this is all the more remarkable given that he finished dead last in 2013. With a new mountain bike and some training under his belt, Ryan is aiming to improve on last years' time.

The team agrees the Motu160 is one of the toughest fixtures on the race calendar and the mountain bike stage should never be underestimated.

But it is also one of the most enjoyable.

'Opotoki's hospitality is warm and the multi-sport crowd are great fun”, says Tisch.

Event manager Mike van der Boom says race organisers have made a big effort this year to improve the rider experience.

”We're giving the Motu 160 the same status as the long standing Motu Challenge multisport event, which incorporates mountain biking, running, road cycling and kayaking.”

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