Great Cranleigh Kauri Run 2009

Even if the race organisers had not included the adjective "Great" in their race title, I would have instantly added it in there after having run the race yesterday. The Great Cranleigh Kauri Run is a point to point 32km trail run from Waikawau Beach to Coromandel township. I'd heard previous reports that it was a tough one - although I'll admit that even last weekends 19km Toi's Challenge felt tough for me since I was not in great shape. What a difference a week makes!

------
Here are my race-day photos on flickr

A couple of videos too
------

I crashed with the Hamilton Hawks on Friday evening and made my way to the race start with them. Due to sand, grass, technical sections and lots of uphills Kerry Suter had recommended I go with the lightest shoe possible so I pulled out a well-worn pair of New Balance 790's. It proved to be a very good choice. The pre-race briefing was held in a farmers paddock adjacent to the beach. In this classic Kiwi rural scene under the old Macrocarpa trees you'd almost expect Wal Footrot and Dog to appear at any minute looking for lost sheep.


Thankfully Sjors (at left) ignored all my pre-race advice and went on to win. Photo courtesy of Jamie Troughton - DScribe Journalism

2009 Kauri Run start from trail ruNZ on Vimeo.

We're off - thanks for the photo Charlie from the Hamilton Hawks

The race started on Waikawau Beach with the waves thumping the shore to our left. In front of us we could see 2km of soft golden sand. Due to a high tide there would be no fast running along hard-packed sand this year - everyone was in for a slow start.


Running on sand is hard work - I must make an effort to look serious. Photo courtesy of Jamie Troughton - DScribe Journalism

At the end of the beach we hopped a small stream and turned in-land toward some very large looking hills. It was along this first section of the trail that 1,500 kauri trees had been planted as a result of this race in previous years. Each runners entry fee is used to sponsor a tree as part of the Kauri 2000 programme. The track (i.e. trail for North American readers) gently snaked uphill. There were several stream crossings that many runners initially tip-toed through. I was wearing my Injinji socks (impossible to blister) so I was happy to crash though the water. Towards the top, the hills got steeper but luckily I was warmed up so it was possible to get in to a run-walk rhythm. The first aid station was at a scenic lookout with great views back over the beach behind us. From here we ran across the ridge-top through farmland with incredible views both left and right to the ocean. The 13km runners split from us at around the 8km point, they had a gentle down hill, we had...


Runners come through Aid Station One. All of the Aid Stations were very generously stocked - a huge thanks to all of the volunteers.

OMG! talk about hills. The central divide section started with a long gentle climb before hitting 15-20 sharp hills in a row. Some were small and runnable, others were vicious nasty brutes that required some delicate pacing to avoid blowing up. This is where I think I had some advantage. Despite not being in great shape, I have tackled some stupid-tough hills earlier this year so I knew how to pace myself. On hills that were runnable, I'd lose ground, but the crazy-steep hills that were only walkable were all mine baby! Once the steep hills stopped I was able to continue running quite comfortably. At around the 16km point I was starting to feel a little tired but the terrain had relented with more gentle slopes and, finally, some easy rolling ground. I was feeling amazingly good (unlike the previous weekend so I decided to "run this one out" instead of lolly-gagging around with my camera.


Typical views from this part of the course. since we were running along the ridge of the peninsula, we had ocean views on our left and right. This is a VERY well though out trail running course.

At around the 21km point we hit an aid station at the road. I was still feeling fine and we had another giant uphill looming in front of us. Fantastic! I was sick of running anyway. At the top I met Andy Reid, the race director. He was on his own manning the aid station - what a great guy. He said the trail had a few ups and downs until the trig - which was the highest point on the course at 560 metres. He was not wrong, this 2km stretch (and it might have been less) was the gnarliest section of trail I have ever been on in a race (outside of a pure mountain race). It was steep up, steep down, uneven and strewn with roots. For me, it was completely unrunnable. The descent from the trig was no less hairy with ultra.-steep downhills and grassy tracks. It was fortunate the trail was dry - on a wet day it would have been an impossible negotiation in my slippers.


I did not wear a watch because of these guys. I did not want to know where I was on the course when they finished. Kerry Suter (in red) finished second, Sjors Corporaal was first

On the final run in to town I had to walk some of the gentle downhills. My feet had taken some massive stone bruising through the thin shoes. I lost maybe 10-20 minutes, gained much more than that on the beach, ascents and grass tracks. Running through town I was deliriously happy and relieved to make it to the finish-line in one-piece and around an hour faster than i had predicted. A beer, a cider and catching up with my mate Richard whom I had not seen for ten years capped off the end of a perfect day in the hills.

Thanks to Adventure Racing Coromandel. Keep on hosting great events and planting lots of trees and you know I'll come back.


Relieved - obviously

Paul Charteris
- November, 09

Toi's Challenge: NZ's most beautiful trail run

I recently read an article that described Toi's Challenge as New Zealand's most beautiful trail run. This kind of thing is very important for us trail runners (well, us not so speedy ones). We appreciate a little scenery mixed in with our hills, dirt and coronary shocks. The 18.5 kilometre Toi's Challenge is a true gem, it takes in Maori pa sites, coastal scenery, beaches and native bush. A truly iconic Kiwi trail run. And it even has Kiwi's. Real ones! The Ōhope Scenic Reserve is ecologically important, supporting nationally significant pohutukawa forest and North Island brown kiwi. The race itself is put on by the Whakatane Harriers, who once, again organised a superb event with a safe, well marshalled course, dozens of volunteers and oodles of spot prizes.

Start of Toi's Challenge, 2009 from trail ruNZ on Vimeo.

---------------

Here's a nice video showing the start-section of the Toi's Challenge course overlooking Whakatane out to Kohi Point (we run out to Kohi Point)

Here's another video showing the view of view from Kohi Point

Scenic photos of Toi's Track on flickr

Race Day photos on flickr

All videos, including Race-day videos

-------------

I lined up at the start-line tucked in safely ten rows behind the course favourites of Sjors Corporaal and Kerry Suter. Sjors had been training on longer distances the Spring and he had an extra weeks rest after the mountain race so he was ready to improve on his time from last year. Kerry is on a 790-day+ running streak so he's not about to let anything stop him. He was also sporting his new Ron Hill running gear - which looks like really nice stuff.

The start along the flat streets was a chance to slowly increase the heart-rate. I knew that once we hit the first steps my BPMe would go through the roof - and it did. I walked most of the climb to the top of Toi's Pa. Encouragingly, I managed to stay with most of the athletes around me who were running this same section. It was on the scenic ridgeline that I took my camera out and started snapping some photos. My running was feeling pretty good but I made the decision that getting some nice photos and video took priority over running a fast Toi's. Besides, the track around Kohi Point and Otarawairere Bay provides some of the most scenic trail running in New Zealand.


After the first climb to Toi's Pa, we have a few ups and downs on our way to Kohi Point

At the far end of Otarawairere Bay is a short section of beach coated with crushed shells. This makes for a cruel running surface that you just have to slog your way through, fortunately you are "saved" by some steps and another short uphill before descending to Ohope Beach. Ohope Beach is a beautiful long sandy beach with perfect hard-packed sand for running. I planned to run the inside line closest to the water when i spied my friends from Phoenix Health with an aid station. I gladly accepted a drink from Ann Petersen. She also gave me a cup of coke and took my photo. At the turn-off from the beach the relay teams changed over. My mates Erin Matt from Eastern Bay Podiatry were there fixing up feet. They would end up having a busy day with one broken ankle and a couple of very severe sprains. This is a technical trail and no walk in the park.


Running over the rocks at Otarawairere Bay

Up the hill a little further I caught my mates Janine and Annette. Janine and I were in primary school together so we go way back. Annette's husband Sjors had had already finished the race (and won) but we had an hour left on the trail before our own glorious finish. My lack of fitness caught up with me big-time on this section which has mainly through native bush and a little farmland. I was walking almost all of the hills - except the very tiny ones (ten steps or less). I had the demeanor of an old Labrador dog at this stage - lethargic but carefree. Fortunately this run ends with some decent downhill and I clocked in at 2:30:10. Exactly half an hour slower than last year. I felt decidedly less fit but I was encouraged since I finished about 15 minutes faster than I had thought (even accounting for all the photos and videos). Next year, perhaps there will be an official double Toi's run (the Toi Toi).

Toi's Challenge 2009 from trail ruNZ on Vimeo.

The next two runs in the Triple Crown series are the Kauri Run and The Goat. Two tough runs, but also two worthy challenges.

Thanks again to the Whakatane Harriers and all the wonderful supporters and volunteers. Truly a fine day for New Zealand's most beautiful trail run.

- Paul Charteris
November, 2009

Ultramaratón Fuego y Agua

I first met my good friend Josué Stephens in Urique - a small town nestled in the bottom of Copper Canyon, Mexico. I instantly knew this guy loves to run trails and have some amazing adventures. It came as no surprise when last year he announced the first ever Ultramaratón Fuego y Agua on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua. This year, Josué and his (now) fiance Paula Ring are busy preparing to host their second annual Ultramaratón Fuego y Agua coming up on December 12.



The perfect host for this event, Josué is a child of missionaries and spent the first ten years of his life in Mexico and Central America. A little older, he enjoyed returning "for adventure and to quench his thirst for the beautiful culture." Falling in love with Isla de Ometepe, a volcanic island on Lake Nicaragua, he dreamed of working with the people in Fair Trade, environmental and economic sustainability. After getting hooked on ultrarunning, it all came together and Ultramaratón Fuego y Agua was conceived.

Isla de Ometepe is a volcanic island located on Lake Nicaragua (also known as Lago Cocibolca) in the Southwestern region of Nicaragua. The two volcanoes, Volcan Maderas and Volcan Concepcion form most of the island. Volcan Concepcion (1610 meters) is considered an active volcano but has not had a major eruption since 1957. Volcan Maderas (1394 meters) has a crater lagoon and is surrounded by cloud forest and thick jungle. Its slopes are dotted with petroglyphs and stone idols. The forests of Ometepe are full of monkeys, tropical birds and rare insects, plants and flowers. Both volcanoes are now protected as national forests. Isla de Ometepe is full of legends surrounding the volcanoes and its former inhabitants, the Nahua. The fertile volcanic soil makes Ometepe an agricultural phenomenon. Coffee, cacao, beans, rice, tobacco, bananas and many other fruits are plentiful on the island.


Pre-race relaxation

Portions of race entry and donations are used to host Calzado para Ometepe, a children’s race for local islanders. The children’s race promotes running, fitness, healthy eating and awareness of the island as an endangered environment that must be cared for. All participants of Calzado para Ometepe receive a pair of running shoes donated by supporters and participants of Ultramaratón Fuego y Agua.

Additionally runners and volunteers are encouraged to participate in the annual Isla de Ometepe Pre-Race Trash Pickup. This organized effort promotes local awareness of the island as a natural resource that must be preserved and maintained.

Get out there and run!

Royal Mountain Madness

Update: Photos are now on the flickr set

The monolithic volcano of Mt. Putauaki is impossible to miss. It sits at one end of the town of Kawerau (my hometown) and beckons all-comers to conquer its slopes once a year in the King of the Mountain race. Make no mistake, this is a true mountain run. The field is comprised of some serious talent, including Sjors Corporaal (defending champion), Chris Morrissey (several times King) and 15-year old Shay Williamson – a local phenom. Also in the mix are running enthusiasts (like myself) and a huge contingent of locals - a bunch of really good sorts up for a fun day on the mountain with their mates.

The event is organised by the incredibly active Kawerau Harrier Club, with fantastic support from the Kawerau District Council.

From the start-gun I ran somewhat comfortably to the start of the first major climb on the single track. There were a fair share of pretenders this year that cracked in the first 500 metres - they started too hard and were reduced to walking at the top of the first hill. It's going to be a long day for you fullas. At the start of the single track I went pretty near my aerobic limit, my breathing was pretty laboured and my legs felt heavy. It's a tough uphill and there's no easy way up other than to push on through the pain. Fortunately, the stabbing pain in my calf from last year did not return. I'd climbed the mountain a couple of times in training so I think my legs were primed for the steepness of the climb.


The start of the race - note this is one of the few parts of the course that is on the road.

From the start of the single track it's only 2.1km to the summit, a distance I covered in about 40 minutes - some clue as to how steep this sucker is. Once we hit the meat of the mountain I was pretty much alone with very few runners around me. Most of the time I was bent-over pushing my hands down on my quads for extra strength. Sometimes I'd grab at plants or rocks on the track to haul myself up. My lower back was starting to ache from bending over and pushing on my legs. Near the top, I started to overtake a couple of runners that had run out of steam. The fatal error in this race is stopping for any reason, most of these runners had made the mistake of stopping to catch their breath. It's pretty much game-over once you do that.


This photo (and some in the flickr set) is not actually from race day - but this is what the track looks like near the summit.

King of the Mountain Run: Kawerau New Zealand from trail ruNZ on Vimeo.

I took the video (above) a couple of days before the actual race to show the view from near the top. The start-line is in the town of Kawerau well below us.

I am a timid runner when it comes to technical downhills and this course is without doubt the most technical downhill I would ever wish to run. Those runners with even a hint of good downhill technique can just blitzkrieg down to the bottom. My technique was to run and hop my way down the easy stuff and swing from tree to tree on the steeper slopes. I felt a little like Tarzan of the Mountain. I finished in 1:36. Quite a respectable time but a little slower than last year. But the sense of accomplishment, - oh what a feeling. The mountain has been conquered and I am at peace with her for one more year.
------------------

Here's how the day unfolded at the sharp-end of the field (words by Steve Brightwell from the Kawerau Harrier Club).

Morrissey dishes out Corporaal punishment

The redness all over Chris Morrissey's face was as much royal flush as a sign of exertion as the Norske Skog Tasman Kawerau King of the Mountain returned to his throne today (Saturday). Morrissey (Papamoa) had allowed a six-year winning streak to be broken last year when he gave the annual race up Putauaki a miss.


Return of the King! - Chris Morrissey. Photo by Shaun Wright

In his absence Galatea's Sjors Corporaal had seized the crown and when the Kawerau race went to its 54th edition the scene was set for an epic showdown.

With brilliant weather and the field just two entrants short of its 140 competitor limit, the pair set about a cat and mouse chase to the 823m summit before plunging back to the finish line in a little over 49 minutes. In the early part of the race, Corporaal showed he was not about to surrender without a fight, leading the field to the 600m drink station.

The pair were closely shadowed by 15-year-old Shay Williamson and another junior Coast to Coast 2009 two day winner Sam Clark, both of Whakatane.

With Australian Neil Labinsky, the Pomona King of the Mountain Race record-holder also in touch along with super veteran Colin Earwaker, the climb over the next 200m to the summit still allowed for plenty of tactics.
As expected, Morrissey made his move up the final bit of the climb, attacking the field and hitting the summit first.
From there on it was throw caution to the wind, or lose. Morrissey chose the former, with Corporaal unable to close the 20 second gap and Williamson a further 20 seconds back.

And that was how it stayed to the finish line, with Morrissey crossing to a rousing applause. Clark came through for fourth with Earwaker fifth.

In the women's category, defending Queen of the Mountain Oksana Isavnina managed to hit the summit first, but the effects of recent injury saw her overtaken by fast finishing Australian Maree Stephenson who now holds titles both sides of the Tasman.
Whakatane's Karen Hanlen claimed second with Isavnina hanging on for third.

In other battles within the race, Wellington mountain running doyenne Barry Prosser won "The Old Boot" trophy awarded to super veteran competitors based on a two minutes per year of age handicap basis.

Earlier in the day, the Prince and Princess of the Mountain races to 270m above sea-level for runners up to age 13 saw Taumarunui's Zara Murrihy retain her title narrowly from Opotiki's Tori Robinson, while Whakatane's Denny Adamson claimed victory in his race from nine-year-old Kaya Corporaal - the Galatea farmer's son setting what was to be a family pattern for the day.