Runners and riders test out the Only Fools and Horses course ahead of the race on Saturday in the Maniototo. Photo: Supplied/Steve Tripp
Four legs have - unsurprisingly - triumphed over two in the inaugural Only Fools and Horses race in Central Otago at the weekend.
The race started as an idea tossed around at the pub, but on Saturday more than 50 runners and 26 horses and riders tackled the 40-kilometre race through the rugged terrain of Maniototo.
Jorja James and her horse Ruby were victorious with a time of about two hours and 50 minutes.
But James praised the runners for their efforts as they remained snapping at the heels - or should that be hoofs - of their four-legged competitors.
"The runners did really well. I was actually so impressed by the runners - I could not run 40 kilometres any day," James said.
"They were so amazing. We had a vet check halfway, so we stopped for a bit and the first two runners passed us while we were having our vet check and then we passed them again. They only finished 43 minutes behind."
James also had plenty of praise for the other half of her race-winning duo.
The 40km course took riders and runners through farm paddocks, silver birch forrest, and along a historic water race - which used to supply water for goldfields near Naseby.
"We have Arabians, so they're kind of bred for the long distance," James said.
"Normal competitions we compete up to 160 kilometres, so they get a lot of training for it."
Organiser Steve Tripp said the race was a big success.
Tripp conceived the event when one of his co-organisers popped into the Wedderburn Tavern and got chatting to the local publican while cycling the Central Otago Rail Trail with his family.
The race was based on as a model of the Welsh Man versus Horses race, which has only seen four runners claim victory since started in 1980.
Before the race started, Tripp suggested that New Zealand's warmer climate would be of benefit the runners, as the heat would not be good for the horses.
In the end, he said the runners finished and most of the horses did too, admist warm conditions and a northwesterly breeze.
"It was alright for the riders and helped cool them down a bit, for the runners it was bit of a headwind at times,"
Tripp is certain the event will run next year, but to avoid clashes with other equestrian and running events, organisers may look to stage it during a different part of the year.
