Douglas makes history at Routeburn Classic

Queenstown's Sarah Douglas powered home in the Routeburn Classic on Saturday, becoming the first person to win it three times.

Douglas, one of New Zealand's most accomplished mountain runners, won the women's race in 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds, eight minutes shy of her women's course record, which she set in 2014.

Auckland's Toby Batchelor was the overall winner, finishing in 2hrs 48mins 2secs, about 10 minutes off Jack Beaumont men’s race record of 2hrs 37min 51secs, set in 2017.

Just under 400 runners took on the 32km mountain run along the Great Walk, through Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. The oldest competitor was 74-year-old Robina Bodle, and the youngest was 17-year-old Sophie Nelson.

Douglas wasn't sure she would make the start line, after an operation on her feet earlier this year, but a solid month of training leading up to the event gave her confidence that she was fit and strong enough to compete at the level she expected.

“I’ve always put the Routeburn Classic on the calendar because I love distance. It’s got a really good mix of technical terrain and flat terrain—plenty of uphill and downhill! I’m stoked to be able to come back and take the win for another year,” she says.

Douglas says conditions were perfect for trail running. "The trail was absolutely stunning out there today, with bluebird skies. I didn’t really have a plan going into the race other than to take it how it came, and I had a lot of fun."

Australian Kelsey Lewis took second place in the women's race with a time of 3hrs 28mins 49secs, followed closely behind by Ruby Knight.

Overall winner Batchelor has finished just two minutes behind David Haunschmidt last year.

"While I didn’t get to race David again, it was nice to get the top spot in a competitive field," Batchelor says.

"It was a beautiful day with spectacular scenery. The trail is absolutely incredible; it’s one of the best sub-ultras in the country, even the Southern Hemisphere. I just wanted to come and run and see beautiful country, and the fact it’s a race is a bonus."

Australian Douglas Golding crossed in second place in 3hrs 3mins 41secs, with Louis Schindler a further five minutes back.

While there were some epic battles for podium spots in both the male and female categories, for others, the day was about experiencing an iconic NZ Great Walk and crossing the finish line with a smile and a huge sense of achievement.

"We’re just excited to be back in the mountains; the scenery is spectacular, we love the challenge and positive vibe, and the weather is incredible,” explained Julia Mackenzie, who travelled from Lake Tekapo with her daughter Kate. “This is my sixth and Kate’s third time competing in the event, and it never disappoints.”

Also amongst the field was well-known New Zealand radio broadcaster Dom Harvey, happy to be back enjoying world-class scenery and an epic backcountry trail for his third time. “This is one of the best experiences ever. I’ve done the Routeburn Classic twice previously. Today is my third time, and I’m buzzing,” he says.

“I love the distance of this event—it’s a challenge but not impossibly difficult,” he adds. “You never know what you’re going to get. The last time I raced, it was snowing at the Harries Saddle. And this year, it couldn’t have been more beautiful.”

The event has been marred in recent years by cancellations in 2018, 2019, and 2020 due to adverse weather conditions, and the 2022 edition was called off due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Race Director Glen Currie is pleased to be able to put on another iconic event for two years running.

"We’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather today; you couldn’t have asked for better," he says. "The athletes have been treated to spectacular views as they made their way over the iconic trail.

"Once again, we had some great racing at the front end of the race. It’s great to see Toby Batchelor take the win after coming a close second last year. And our current course record holder Sarah Douglas once again took the top podium spot and became the first person to win the event three times, which is incredible.

“The event gets better and better each year, and we look forward to celebrating its 20th year in 2025.”

The field is made up of 59% males and 41% females, while overseas runners are 11% of the field, with eight countries represented.