Australian James Kohler continues to set the pace in the Alps 2 Ocean Ultra, New Zealand's first staged ultra race. Runners had a rest day yesterday at Loch Laird, near Otematata, after completing the longest stage of the event, a 90km race-defining effort from Lake Middleton to Loch Laird that included a tough climb. Running in the supported event, Kohler took 10hr 54min, coming home 33min ahead of the leading unsupported runner, Brendon Thompson (Wellington). After four stages, Kohler has a running total of 22hr 15min while Thompson has taken 22hr 56min to cover almost 200km. Stage five today takes runners from Loch Laird to the Waitaki River, and tomorrow from Kurow to Peaks Rd.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 28, 2018 21:33 UTC