Columbia Peak to pub

The Peak to Pub is a three section race which can be done individually or in a team of three. The race starts on skis or snowboards from the peak of Mt Hutt down to the base area where you switch to a mountain bike and race down the mountain before running 11km to the Blue Pub in Methven for a well deserved beer. The Peak to Pub is an annual event with ever changing conditions and new twists each year thanks to Peak to Pub official Spokesperson Steve Gurney being involved in the course design each year!

The 2012 Columbia Peak to Pub finally got on the way on Sunday after being postponed on Saturday due to high winds. Organiser’s where thrilled with the turnout this year with 118 individual and 42 Team entries.

While the weather put on a spectacular blue bird day, the slopes remained very firm making for a fast challenging ski leg. The race ran really smoothly with very few injuries to competitors with the exception of two competitors who where forced to pulled out prior to the race due to injuries during practice on the ski course.

This year saw entries from competitors from all over the world but one team in particular won over the crowd, Japanese Team ‘Sports Net and kids ‘ with skier Taisei Miyamoto aged 8yrs and runner Asami Miyamoto aged 12yrs coming in 6th place in the mixed team category.

Once again Disabled Snow Sports came out to partake in the race. “The Smart Girl Team” derived of Rhea Smithson (ski), Katie bolt (Bike) and Stephanie Smithson (Run). But unfortunately skier Rhea Smithson was one of the two competitors to pull out before the race due to an injury. However in the 11th hour the team managed to find another skier and finished the race in 11th place in the mixed teams Category.

As with every year course designer Steve Gurney adds his trademark “twist” to the course and this year saw competitors making another decision whether to take the access road all the way down or to deviate onto the single track through the trees to the base of the mountain.

“Every year we try and make the race better than the year previous. And every year we get these wide eyed excited competitors at the finish line telling us how they like the variations the race provides”. Steve Gurney

"The feed back has been mostly positive and on that we hope to make a compulsory track down though Bike Methven's bike park trail" Steve Gurney

This race has grown strength to strength over the years and Steve believes this is down to the continued support from the local community.

2012 EVENT RESULTS

118 Individuals:
Men’s winner - Flavio Vianna - Brazil - 1h:15:39.52
Female Winner - Sez Peddle - Canterbury - 1h:34:26.48

42 Teams:
Men’s winner - Sneaky Sneakers - 1h:17:33.84
Women’s winner - The Cheetahs - 1h:46:12.01
Mixed - Team Fly - 1h:26:01.47

Peak to Pub - 2012 Results
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Peak to Pub - 2012 Results (with splits)
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Please Note: Whilst every endeavour is taken to ensure that split times are correct, we can only guarantee the overall times.

2012 event photos

Photos taken by Emily Maclean, Mt Hutt Ski Area

2013 peak to pub

Mt Hutt Ski Area management are in the process of confirming the date and sponsors for the 2013 Peak to Pub.

If you haven't already, sign up to the Peak to Pub newsletter so that you receive all the latest news and information for the 2013 event direct to your inbox!

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2011 Event Video

Watch highlights of the 2011 Columbia Peak to Pub (filmed by AshburtonTV).

ADditional Information

Mt Hutt's Peak to Pub is not just for the hard core, this race is achievable for anyone who is interested in challenging themselves physically and mentally. From New Zealand’s top multi sporters to enthusiastic amateurs seeking fun and personal triumph everyone is sure to have a blast. With the Peak to Pub official Spokesperson Steve Gurney involved in the course design you never know what wild additions to the course will appear each year!

Stage 1:	Ski/board (2km) Start high on the slopes of the Mt Hutt Ski Area with a mass start at the peak. You will run 100m to your skis or snowboard followed by a Giant Slalom style race down to the base area through a number of gates. You will then hit the transition stage for the transfer to the Bike Section.
Stage 2:	Mountain Bike (10km) From the Mt Hutt base area you switch to your bike for a heart stopping bike ride down the access road (dirt). It may seem all downhill when you drive it but be prepared to do a bit of peddling. New optional detour down one of the Mt Hutt Bike Parks trails for competitors looking for a bit of fun.
Stage 3:	Run (10km) At the bottom of the access road at the corner of Highway 72 the run section to the Blue Pub (for a well deserved drink) begins. Expect less road more trail, some water, and a bit of mud!

Join as a team of three with each person deciding to do the ski, bike or run section or challenge yourself in the individual category and do all three sections:

Individuals:

Teams:

Open Women, Open Men, Vet Women, Vet Men

Mens, Womens, Mixed-Corporate, Mixed, Vet Team (45+)

There will always be a first, second and third for those who enjoy the competition, however we endeavour to have spot prizes of equal value to encourage any person to enter this race and enjoy the huge achievement that is being a part of the Peak to Pub!