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Bayleys Mountain to Surf Marathon (5 March 2011)

Gerry and I in the bus at the finish, happy to have survived the ordeal! 😉
This is what greeted us when we arrived at the hotel to catch the bus to the start.
On a bus to Abilene – not!
A sorry-looking bunch of participants waiting to start.
At the gate of the Egmont National Park.
Briefing just before we were off.
Rain, rain and more rain.
Me and Willie at about 12km.
The poor marshals at the water tables, soaking wet.
Lots of cars, also from supporters on the State Highways.

Having done the Mountain to Surf in 2008, our first international marathon, I was very eager to run the race again. My memories of the previous event was generally good, that it was a well organised event, apart from a cold wind and rain in the second half of the run (not that the organisers could do anything about that!). The organisers also offered us accommodation for the night before the event and was generally very kind to us. They made us feel most welcome.

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Feilding Moa 21.1km (27 February 2011)

A lovely run in the country.
At the start (me right at the back somewhere) with 46 other participants.
The first few kilometres through the streets of Feilding.
Runners scattered along the country roads.
The small out and back section, proving there were actually some other runners.
Gerry at the turn (between the 12 and 13km mark).
Me at the turn.
Friendly helpers at the water station.
Melon and watermelon at the finish.
Gerry on his way to collect his prize.

“The 15th running of the Roy Lamberton Memorial half marathon introduces a brand new town & country course starting and finishing at the Makino Aquatic Centre. Also new is the 2-person relay section for the half marathon – that’s around 10.5km each. Or try the shorter 5 km event, including a 4 person schools and business house team competition where each team members time is combined for a total distance of 20km. We offer a measured loop course of 21.097km, mostly along quiet rural Manawatu roads with a gentle 75m rise and fall. All events start and finish at Makino Aquatic Centre on the corner of Manchester St and Council Pl. It goes along Manchester St, left into West St, out of town along Awahuri Rd, right at Lees Rd, left into Sandon, (the transition for the half marathon relay) right at Te Rakehou for 1.5km out and back, returning via Sandon Rd, West St and Manchester St.  Each kilometre will be marked.” [http://www.harriersnz.350.com/HALF_MARATHON.htm]

Gerry and I arrived shortly after 8:00 to register for the event, on a cool and overcast morning. It seemed pure madness to pay $40 for a 21.1km event, taking into account that in SA it would cost around R40 or less. However, we really needed the training and having to run 21km on one’s own is always much more of a challenge.

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O budget, where art thou?

budget

Race entry fee:
$120.00.

Buying a commemorative T-shirt:
$59.00

The burn of the air in your lungs as you clear that hill at the 25km mark:
Priceless.

Yes, its difficult to measure, in monetary terms, the value you get out of a running event. Looking back at the past decade, few things have left a deeper impression in my memory than the wonderful, tough and enjoyable races we’ve been fortunate enough to be part of. Continue reading →

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Frontrunner 21.1km (13 February 2011)

Our small field of runners ready to get going at the first ever Frontrunner half.
The start of the Wells Half Ironman swim in the Taranaki port.
The ever popular coastal walkway. The field spread out quickly leaving us running on our own.
Len Lye’s Wind Wand – a landmark on the coastal walkway.
Words of wisdom from some supporters.
Crossing the Te Rewa Rewa bridge.
Gerry on the last stretch before the turn-around.

After our 10km trot with friends the day before, Gerry and I had a lovely breakfast with Deon and Henriette in town, while the organisers were getting ready for the big events the next day: the inaugural Wells Half Ironman and the Frontrunner 21.1km run (always very exciting and special to do the first edition of what will hopefully become a regular event for many many years to come). The half marathon was a great addition to the triathlon for us runners. Also starting at Port Taranaki, which would be the registration and transition area for the Half Ironman, the run takes you all the way along the Coastal Walkway up to Bell Block and back.

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Birthday run (26 February 2011)

The birthday boy on the footpath next to the river (which is just beyond the bushes on the left).
Picnic on the rocks.

Happy birthday, dear Gerry, happy birthday to you!

Most people will probably think “hey, it’s my birhtday, I’m not doing anything”. But we decided that a nice picnic by the river wouldn’t do no harm, especially with a little run to get us there.

Shortly before lunch on a windy Saturday morning, we packed some cheese, ham, buns and chilli olives, plus the usual jelly babies and water, before heading off to the river.

The Manawatu River is fairly dry at the moment, as is the whole Manawatu (and other parts of the country), but the walkway is always a nice playground away from traffic. We parked at the holiday park side and trotted along for about 4kms when we spotted a nice area on some rocks next to the river. Good enough to cut our 7km run short there and then, so we settled down and unpacked our spread.

Sitting quietly next to the river amongst trees, I can barely imagine a previous life where the closest nature and peace was some distance away from home through hideous traffic – enough to make you stay at home.

After a lovely picnic, we walked the 4kms back to the car, having the rest of the day ahead for more celebrations.