Slee family pass muster for annual Mt Linton event
GET SET, GO: Mountain bikers set out on the 40km race at last year’s Mt Linton Muster. Brendan Akeroyd, front right, was the winner.
The six-member Slee family will be out in force at the annual Mt Linton Muster in western Southland on Saturday.
It is the third year the muster has been staged and mountain biking, running and walking events are held.
Richard and Trudy Slee, who own Wairaki Station, Otautau RD, are entered for the 21.1km Linton Hill Challenge run.
Their sons, Tom, 17, and Benji, 15, are also competing in the Challenge, while the Slee's daughters, Anna, 13, and Sarah, 9, will start in the Loch Fun Run and Loch Fun Ride, respectively.
"It's a great day out," Trudy Slee said.
"It's got a good family atmosphere."
The Muster's publicity officer, Bill Mather, said 163 entries had been received, including 90 mountain bikers and 45 runners. Registrations closed on Tuesday, but late entries are welcome, at a cost of $10, on Saturday morning.
Mather reckoned the final number could reach 240.
"The event caters for all ages, there's something for everyone," Mather said.
Brendan Akeroyd, of Invercargill, is undecided on whether he will defend his 40km mountain bike title. Akeroyd recalled winning last year in a sprint finish after he and Logan Havenaar broke away from the bunch midrace.
The early stages of the race was demanding, Akeroyd said.
"You go up the hill into the wind . . . that normally blows the field to bits."
- The Southland Times
