New Zealand: Hawke's Bay nurse will ride for kids in the 1000 km Mongol Derby

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

MARY MCCARTY
Last updated 16:32, January 1 2016

A Hawke's Bay paediatric nurse, who once considered a career as a jockey, will race 1000km across the Mongolian steppe later this year.

Krista Donnelly was inspired to tackle the Mongol Derby in August by deeds of another Kiwi competitor, Chloe Phillips-Harris who rode in the event in 2013.

"She did really well and it was quite well covered [in the media]. I have watched it every year since and I'm now at a point where I can do it," Donnelly said.

Phillips-Harris finished fifth and at the time she completed the course 12 riders had retired from the field while a further 13 were at least a day away from the finish line.

Kiwis have a proud tradition in the race since its inception in 2009, with double Olympian Madonna Harris among those to compete the gruelling event.

Harris, who represented New Zealand at both road cycling and cross-country skiing, had led for several days in the 2010 Derby, before finishing third...

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http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/hawkes-bay/75554143/Hawkes-Bay-nurse-will-ride-for-kids-in-the-1000-km-Mongol-Derby