Southlanders made the most of outstanding conditions at the 2025 MLT Moonshine Trail near Gore on Saturday.

A big field of 450 bikers, runners and walkers took part in a range of categories based around the Dolamore Park tracks, Hokonui trails and once-a-year access on private farmland.

Active Southland chief executive Vanessa Hughey-Pol said the event was a great way to showcase Dolamore Park.

“This area is one of the best parks in Southland and in some ways it’s a bit of a hidden gem,” Hughey-Pol.

“The Gore District Council does a great job of maintaining this area and especially presenting it in such an amazing way for this event, and we really appreciate that.”

Alexandra’s Jono Miller produced a blistering time in the hot weather to complete the challenging 50km course in 2hr 17min, well ahead of his veteran men’s competition including second-placed Justin Roy, who won the masters (50-59 years) category and third-placed Richard Mackley, who won the 40-49 veteran section.

The women’s 50km race was a much closer affair, with just over three minutes separating winner Johannah Jagger from runner up Melissa Dennison and third placed Tania Miller.

Competing in the 60 years and over category, Ian Ballam was the fastest home in the men’s 39km race, with Toni Eade winning the women’s race.

Nathan Thomson and Emma Gould won the men’s and women’s sections of the 30km race.

Craig Iverson and daughter Kimberley took out the 15km trail run, with juniors Lily Wiegersma and Hudson Roy winning the 5km run.

Hughey-Pol said it was great to see fields growing across the categories. That included the growing popularity of the e-bike section and the number of families taking part across the 5km run/walk.

“This year we also opted to create a new 2km walk and bike to make the event more accessible for young families and those getting a taste of their first event,” Hughey-Pol said.

“With the support of the Hokonui Mountainbike Club we also included a new 12km mountainbike race which was a great introduction to some of the trails on offer in and around Dolamore Park.”

Hughey-Pol said the successful event was only possible with help of many people across eastern Southland.

“The MLT has been long-standing naming sponsor of this event and we are truly grateful for the ongoing support provided by Hokonui Mountainbike Club volunteers John Henry and Mike Johnston.”