King of the Mountain
King of the Mountain 2012 is scheduled for Sunday May 27th 2012.
HISTORY
New Zealand’s very first Extreme Sport...
The King of the Mountain race was adopted as a fundraiser for the St Johns Brigade in1958. There were 80 competitors of all shapes and sizes in the inaugural race - the starters were aged from 21 to over 50 years. All types of gear was worn - football boots, running shoes, gymnastic shoes, boots and bare feet. One person even tied hooks to his hands to help him climb the Mountain.
This became the first extreme sports event in New Zealand. Spectators made their contribution to the fund by donation.
The winner of the first King of the Mountain title went to Bill Anderson, a local dustman, a permanent professional cyclist whose powerful legs left all behind in a time of 13 minutes.
In 1960 due to the issues of amateurs and professionals competing together not satisfying the rules of the Athletics association the “King of the Barrow Boys” race was born.
The Barrow teams were made up of 4 members with one sitting in the wheelbarrow at all times. This would not have been an easy ride for the passenger who on the homeward leg faces grim death whilst trying to retain his or her seat in the wheelbarrow. The first wheelbarrow race had only 18 competitors and was won by a team of the Trust Hotel Barmen.
The field in 1960 included Peter Snell and Murray Halberg. The running race was won by Iron Man Bill Ballie in the time of 11 minutes 30 seconds; in 1962 the race was won by Bill Sutcliffe in the blistering time of 9 minutes 51 seconds.
THE MOUNTAIN – Maungarei (Mt Wellington)
MAUNGAREI is Auckland’s second youngest volcano, erupting 9.000 years ago. It is the largest scoria cone in the volcanic field having been produced by lava fountain from three vents in the crater. Lava poured from around the base of the cone forming an extensive crater.
The cone has been modified on the southern side where a quarry operated for over 100 years, up to 1967. Modification also occurred in 1960 when a water reservoir was constructed in one of the vents this is now camouflaged as a grassed field.
Maungarei means ‘Watchful Mountain’ or ‘The Mountain of Reipae’ – a Tainui ancestress who travelled to Northland in the form of a bird. The maori settlements were Mokoia Pa and later Mauinaina Pa and fortification ditches and terraced house sites can still be seen.
The English name of the mountain was named in honour of Duke of Wellington.
THE PEOPLE
The King of the Mountain has become a serious event for serious athletes, and a fun event for families and others not challenged to beat any of the times, just out to have a great day.
The event attracts people in all age groups from the babies in buggies to age 71. Our participants include athletes, business people, families, school children, Auckland City Councillors, Tamaki Community Board members, Senior Citizens, people from across the community.
This event honours the community spirit as well as the values of team effort, joint ventures, acknowledgement of the individual.
The King of the mountain event attracts competitors from far and wide. Tourists from Austria, Sweden and Scotland have participated in the past.
