Havelock North

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Triple Peaks Challenge

Date: 9 March 2019
Distance: 55km
Time: 9:33

Registration on a rainy Friday night.
But a beautiful morning for the event.
Jason Larkin sporting a North Range Trio headband! Cheers bro!
Mt Erin in the distance.
The day could have been a lot different if it was really wet.
Mt Erin, we’re coming for you.
So close.
Mt Erin aid station.
Mt Kahuranaki in the distance.
Amusing signage convention to show steep downhills.
The rough section (part of the river bed) prior to the river crossing.
Tukituki River crossing.
Chillyyyy!
Transition point entertainment.
Second aid station before the climb up Mt Kahuranaki begins.
Local hero, Nick Johnston, already on his way to defend his Triple Peaks title.
Andrew Thompson finished in third place.
A lonely marshal three-quarters up the mountain.
So so steep.
Trying to go backwards to ease the pain.
Roger Jones at the aid station on top of Mt Kahuranaki.
Trig bagging.
Spotting Te Mata Peak in the distance.
Still cold, but still smiling.
Interesting sign on gate.
Te Mata Peak just visible.
Mt Erin.
Very very steep terrain.
Looking back on how far we’ve come.
Te Mata Peak where a friendly supporter/spectator offered to take our photo.
A ridiculously steep section on mountain bike tracks.
Very challenging MTB tracks on tired and sore legs.
Back in civilisation.
When you think you should have reached the finish line two kilometres ago, only to see this sign!
Just a glimpse of the finish banner by the time we got to the finish.
Prize-giving.

Covering the final few metres of this tough, gruelling run unsure of where the actual finish was, we were stopped next to a gazebo and congratulated by the organiser who was checking that we looked compos mentos. And with a sadistic grin he asked “Did I break you?”, while telling us proudly that he did break some of us. And while he is no Laz and this is not the Barkley, the course sure is tough. It seems to have become a “thing” to try to break participants and more and more events aim to do just that. Turns out, out of the 138 runners and walkers, 21 DNF which is about 7%. Continue reading →

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Te Mata Terrific Tui 21km trail run (Hawke’s Bay) – 18 May

 

Queueing at registration.
Johann, Nettie, me and Gerry shortly before the start.
Race briefing on a lovely sunny day in Hawke’s Bay.
And away we go – first lap around the cement reservoir and back.
Second lap – the organisers’ plan to spread out the field was definitely effective.
Up and up and up.
Jumping over gates and fences – many times. Red arrows were for the 21km run, blue for the 13 and green for the 7.5.
Beautiful views at the top of the rolling green hills.
On private land with lots of fence crossings.
Nice downhill section through a paddock.
Up and up again.
A wee dam on the farm.
Poor startled sheep not sure which way to go.
Gerry coming out the redwood forest.
A hilly section on the Te Mata track.
Single track paths once you reach the Te Mata track.
Some very steep and technical sections needs to be negotiated.
What goes down, must go up. The trig point is visible at the top where the only marshal en route takes down race numbers.
Finally at the highest point with wonderful views over Hawke’s Bay.
Serious downhill swithbacks to quickly get down the hill.
Down, down, down. Finally.
Deja vu! Our second outing on the Te Mata track after following the earlier markers.
Sausage sizzle in the lovely countryside.

When last did you find yourself knee-deep in poo? Not that it is a prerequisite for this event, but if the opportunity presents itself, why not grab it with all four paws? Continue reading →

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Specsavers Hastings half marathon (13 April 2014)

A smallish field at the start.
Gerry ready for number two.
Ready to start the timing clock as soon as the runners are set off.
Away we go!
Lovely autumn colours on the trees.
A small section is run through the suburbs before you reach the country side.
Friendly helpers at the first water table.
A beautiful wire sculpture on one of the farm hills.
Gerry going strong.
Horseshoe bend is quite a hilly out-and-back section.
The turn at the top of Horseshoe bend. Time for a walk and a drink. 🙂
Gerry at full speed coming down the hill.
Beautiful scenery.
Lots and lots of corn fields, just about ready to be harvested.
Another short out and back section and Gerry still strong enough for a jiggle.
A whole variety of mushrooms along the way.
The end.
Taking off my timing chip – always tricky on sore legs.
Free refreshments at the finish.
Gerry very happy with his hot Milo. He must have toughened up looking all summery when it was freezing!
Three layers of clothing all the way on the run for me.
Number two done! We achieved our goal of back-to-back half marathons for the weekend.

With the first of our back-to-back 21s in the bag, we were looking forward to the next one which should give us a good indication of where we are with our training for the marathon in three weeks time.

Continue reading →