ACA member Elizabeth (Lizzie) Orchard competed in the Xterra World Championship in Hawaii on Sunday 25 October, and it's no surprise to us that her result was outstanding.
Lizzie finished second (to another New Zealander, Monique Avery from Rotorua) in the women's 20-24 age group, with an overall time of 3:54.34. Fifth non-pro out of the water, and third non-pro on the run, she was beaten by about seven minutes, after needing close to ten minutes to fix a puncture during the cycle stage.
Her parents Annie (valued former ACA committee member) and John were on hand to support Lizzie, but naturally didn't just stand around - they both took part in the Makena Beach 10km Trail Run for friends and family, held the day before the World Championship. The only New Zealand runners in the 266-strong field, Annie (50-54 age group) ran the distance in 1:23.02, while John (60-64 age group) finished in a time of 1:42.33.
And what exactly is Xterra? it began in 1996 with a race called Aquaterra, made up of an open-ocean swim, a mountain bike race, and a trail run. It attracted mostly mountain bikers and triathletes who discovered a common spirit and attitude, and relished the challenges and thrills this new multisport offered, running & biking through mountains and swimming in the ocean. The typical XTERRA now comprises a 1.5km swim, a 30km mountain bike and an 11km trail run.
