02/02/2026
The Otipua Challenge – Race Report
The 2026 Otipua Challenge delivered exactly what I wanted when I first thought about it: grit, good humour, and a whole lot of heart. The event began calm and muggy, the kind of stillness that tricked you hardy 24-hour folk into thinking you’re in for an easy ride. But as the hours rolled on, the sun came up, the heat crept up and the course started to bite—classic Timaru weather.
This was our first year of electronic timing so the course record was up for grabs. Glen from Team Cromwell laid down a scorching lap early on (mostly to take it off his teammate Greg), setting a new benchmark. But in the final minutes of the 3 Hour Challenge, Connor Gallagher stormed home and snatched the record with a blistering 26:56 on his last lap. Absolute scenes.
Below is a clean summary of the results across all categories.
________________________________________
3 Hour Challenge – The Rasa Asia NZ 3 Hour
Female
• 2nd Overall: Doreen Lembke – 4 laps, 24.8 km, 2:26:36
• 3rd: Ros Iongi – 4 laps, 24.8 km, 2:43:25
• Strong finishes also from Amanda Glasgow (virtual), Bridgette Barwood (virtual), Ashlee Robinson, Shannon Dolamore, and Jill Morton.
Male
• Winner: Connor Gallagher – 5 laps, 31 km, 2:35:24, and the new course lap record (26:56)
• Solid efforts from Nico Gonzalez, Kayne Robinson, and Shannon Barwood (virtual).
________________________________________
6 Hour Challenge – The Speight's Ale House 6 Hour
Female
• Top finisher: Felicity Mepham clocked 9 laps finishing her last lap with less than 5 minutes to spare.
• Miriam Bielski came back again this year and dropped to the faster 6-hour event complting 8 laps, 49.6 km
• Fi Fairbairn and Carolyn Elliot also put in gutsy performances.
Male
• Winner: Mauricio Torres Toledo – 10 laps, 62 km, 5:50:45
• Phil Begg and Brion Matthews followed with strong totals.
• Consistent efforts from Wayne Doyle, Rodney Bandason, and the Morton/Salisbury crew.
________________________________________
12 Hour Challenge – Fuelld.co.nz 12 Hour
Female
• Champion: Jo Gibson – 13 laps, 80.6 km, 11:26:57
• Rebecca Taylor close behind with 12 laps.
• Ange Parker completed 8 laps.
Male
• Winner: Gareth Wood – 8 laps, 49.6 km, 10:53:31
________________________________________
24 Hour Challenge – The Frontrunner Timaru 24 Hour
Female
• Top finisher: Gaylene Saywell – 22 laps, 136.4 km, 22:40:39 – New Course Record
• Strong distances also from Robyn Arnold, Kate Mossman, Susan Murphy, Pamela Fletcher, Barbara Gilchrist, and Olivia Spencer.
Male
• Overall 24 Hour Champion: Steve Anderson – 29 laps, 179.8 km, 23:28:25
• Nashoba Mehlhopt followed with 23 laps, at only 18 years old this young man is one to watch, and Slee Larcombe with 18.
________________________________________
24 Hour Relay – The Nutrient Rescue Relay
• Champions: Team Cromwell – 33 laps, 204.6 km, 21:58:54
• 2nd: 4 Idiots and a Relay – 23 laps, 142.6 km
Massive thanks again to everyone involved.
Paul - Race Director
