21.1km

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Taranaki Daily News 21.1km – 2 October 2011

One supporter going the whole nine yards, in Wanganui. When we first passed, a whole lot op people were outside partying. They also had a van painted to match the house.
Another quaint sign in a paddock created with fencing poles.
At the start – Spider Man and all.
Runners in the distance making their way up a hill.
The sign that Gerry is nearing is a permanent sign that the school kids created, warning motorist that they are approaching a school and should drive carefully.
A little girl supporting her mom all the way as dad drove the car further up the road every few kilometres.
Another hill to negotiate.
These chirpy bees livened up the atmosphere for all who were in the area. We recently attended the Rollar Derby held in Palmy and the Taranaki team are known as the The Taranaki Rollar Corps Rumble Bees. We were wondering if these two are part of the team?
A wet finish – just to keep one honest.
Frozen to the bone with the finish in the background.
Gerry, myself and Marianne, with Des and Henriette in the front seats.

The Rugby World Cup is in full swing, and it is great to see all the supporters’ flags and messages on houses, in paddocks and on cars. Everywhere you look there’s support for people’s favorite teams which in NZ is, of course, the All Blacks.

All the way, as we drove to New Plymouth on Saturday, evidence of the country’s commitment to the RWC is visible as the world cup fever casts its spell on everybody. There’s no escaping the mania that plays off all around us – tonnes and tonnes of little flags representing all the different countries are hanging from every shop and restaurant, while loads of cars are driving around with All Black flags stuck in their doors. The occasional Irish, England or South African flag can also be spotted, but the black flags are hard to miss. An article was even published, giving stats about the amount of extra petrol your car will be using with the drag of each flag sticking out from your window. Continue reading →

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Manawatu Striders Half Marathon – 14 August 2011

Fortunately the Massey sport facilities were available for the event. Prize-giving also took place inside the hall.
At the start, in a drizzle, freezing cold, although a number of people are dressed in shorts.
Nice long downhill on Massey campus in the first kilometre.
Our own bag pipe player.
Approximately a mile is run on the walkway next to the Manawatu River.
Mud and rain. A short off-road section at around the halfway mark. Is that a Teletubby en route?
Look Ma, it was raining. Yet again. Presumably Mt Cleese is in the background.
Gerry at 1km to go.
Frozen stiff, but happy with my spot prize.
The course map for the 5km, 10km and 21.1km.

“Ohhh, it’s raaaaining again, too bad I’m looooooosing a friend”. That is just the way it is. Don’t ever think you will have a dry run in NZ.

Gerry and I were thinking of doing this half, ever since we had to miss it last year. But after the wet and cold Mizuno/Taupo Half, as well as being out of town, we postponed entering (actually forgot to!) until pre-entries were closed and we had to pay the late entry penalty fee which is $10 more per person. So, to run 21.1km, we paid $50 per person … and then our South African friends complain when they have to pay R50 for a half marathon.

A very cold Antarctic blast was predicted to hit the country by Saturday night, bringing with it very cold conditions, snow, sleet and heavy rains, which were expected to reach Palmy by the Sunday – race day. We almost had second thoughts about entering, but the Manawatu events are all so very nice and well organised (there’s just something “homely” about them) that we made the trip to Sterling Sports shop in town on the Saturday afternoon to enter. The Striders had a table in the back, also selling the event T’s, which we would love to have, but just couldn’t afford on top of the entry. Maybe next time. Continue reading →

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Mizuno Half Marathon (Taupo) – 7 August 2011

The snow covered Raupehu (about 50km away from Taupo), hinting at the weather on race day.
In the backpackers kitchen, whipping up lovely dinners.
Two of the Downhill Demons and us. L-to-r: Des, Gerry, myself and Henriette.
Nervous smile? Me, Des (looking seriously in doubt, or maybe just peeved with all the pics been taken?) and Henriette.
Photograph by Super Sport Images. The two clowns with their arms in the air – Gerry and me. Gerry possibly demonstrating his superior ape-index. 🙂
Gerry, Des and Henriette – in the first kilometre or so. Still fresh.
Blue skies! Not for very much longer …
Mmm, dark clouds looming on the horizon.
Bag pipe player on a long slow uphill section.
Henriette nearing the halfway mark, doing very well. Still up for a smile and a wave.
On the way back, next to the lake.
A hop, skip and jump at the 5km-to-go mark.
Photograph by Super Sport Images. Some wind! Blowing me sideways and Gerry out of the picture!
Thank you! thank you! thank you! Wonderful soup and rolls at the finish.
Henriette at the finish.
Des at the finish.

While paging through the Runner’s World one day, I stumbled upon an advertisement for this event. Realising that it boast fields of 3000+ participants, including a huge walking contingent, this seemed like a perfect first 21.1km event for a novice. You could easily disappear in the crowds without running the risk of being dead last or drawing a lot of unwanted attention to yourself. I therefore proposed this to the Downhill Demons (we dubbed a group of lady friends who live in a hilly town, and who sometimes run from the upper parts of town mainly downhill towards the sea, the Downhill Demons) and am glad to say that they decided to join us. Continue reading →

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Opiki School Country Half Marathon – 17 April 2011

Gerry, approximately 5km from the finish with some threatening clouds on the way.
Is that a nervous smile? Almost the whole field of participants are standing around waiting to get going.
Bede Gilmore, the school principal, explaining the course before setting us off.
A short patch of dirt road.
And then mud …
… and more mud. Planning the best path through.
Gerry getting water at about 5km into the race.
Route marker on a typical kiwi farmer temporary fence pole.
The finish “banner” aka the school entrance gate :).

After a week of wonderful, wind-free evenings and perfect weather, it started to rain the day before this event, coupled with some wind. As we got up on the Sunday morning, it was pouring, with a nasty wind, and it took all the motivation I had left in me to get up, get dressed and drive to Opiki, all along thinking that I will just check out the scene and bail before we even start.

Continue reading →

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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.

Continue reading →