inaugural

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A 32km warm-up and 10km Sprint (yeah right) – the inaugural Tauranga International Marathon

Date: 7 October 2017
Distance: 42.2km
Time: 4:49:47

Thanks to the early bus to the start, we had a lovely laid-back morning, awaiting the start of the marathon.
Race briefing.
Looking a bit apprehensive at our start-line selfie.
An early ‘pinch’ in the road, as the race organiser called the little footpath near the start.
A short sharp uphill – not something we experienced too often on this very flat run.
Running along a pedestrian path between the road and the lagoon.
Having a laugh with Anita, with 40km to go!.
Following the trail of runners snaking along the edge of the lagoon.
The beautiful boardwalks of Tauranga.
Some scenic green stretches early on.
Look around too much and you risk falling into the wetland.
A tranquil park area in the middle of the city.
Crossing one of six railway lines. Just a few hundred metres after we crossed, a train came past.
Cheers to the 100 Marathon Club!
On the out-and-back stretch.
Little did I know that Ross was standing right behind me! He was supporting the 100 Marathon Club.
Nice to see Marian all smiles.
The turn-around point at the end of the out-and-back.
Some welcome sunshine at the water point on the out-and-back stretch.
Crossing the bridge on Chapel Road.
Mt Maunganui looming in the distance.
Crossing a little man-made ‘hill’.
Passing kilometre markers always gives you a bit of a boost.
Running through the industrial area.
Another ‘uphill’ towards the bridge
Tauranga Bridge.
Mt Maunganui didn’t seem to get any closer.
Loved this spot! Even sunblock and vaseline.
Heavy traffic reminding us that this is a city marathon after all..
Passing a weekend market along the way.
Finally at the start of the loop around Mt Maunagui.
Gerry speeding to catch up with me, after taking his sweet time at the water point just before the Mount loop.
A few wee uphills around the Mount.
Even a set of stairs that was built to cross over a massive slip recently.
The loop around the Mount certainly lifted my spirits.
And Gerry enjoyed it just as much.
The loop around Mt Maunganui was my favourite part of the course.
Distant beach views.
Still smiling. 🙂
No time for picnic, Sir! Got to keep moving.
Back on the tarmac.
Buggered and still a long way to go. But two thirds down!
A very friendly water point.
A road closure truck ensuring our lane was free of traffic.
Whoop!
This is the inaugural Tauranga International Marathon.
Not far to go!
Finally – the finish is in sight.
Happy (and relieved!).
Oh, the pain. So much pain.
Gerry having both our beers (they ran out of ciders).

3:47am. The alarm was set to go off at 3:45, but for some reason didn’t. Unfortunately, luckily, neither Gerry or I slept much, and when Gerry checked for a second time what the time was it started sinking in that the alarm didn’t go off and that we are supposed to be getting up. Continue reading →

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Hoka One One Taupo Marathon

Date: 1 August 2015

Distance: 42.2

Time: 5:00.52

Founding Member! 🙂 Nice touch for everyone doing the inaugural.
About 300 marathon participants, starting at Huka Falls.
A chilly, cloudy, misty, drizzly start.
Off we go, next to the Waikato River at Huka Falls.
Passing underneath the SH1 bridge. We’ve driven over the bridge many times, never expecting to be running under it!
A few short hills, reducing some participants to a walk.
Some open patches in the otherwise misty landscape.
Just follow the colourful stream of runners.
Cabbage trees lining the single track.
I love how they propped up distance markers!
Crossing the mighty Waikato as we turn back towards town.
En route back to Huka Falls. Just after the 8km mark.
Despite the cool conditions, the hydration provided at the aid stations was most welcome.
A close encounter with a hydroelectric power station.
Great off-road conditions, with mostly hard-packed tracks.
The warmth of the Wairakei Thermal streams looked very inviting on a cold morning.
A footpath next to the road.
Totalsport branded bunting marking the way.
Gerry speeding down the hills.
Through a redwood forest as the sun made a quick showing, before disappearing again.
Reaching the halfway mark just outside Taupo.
Marshalls making sure we crossed the roads safely.
Some minor chaos when we, together with hundreds of 10km walkers, hit the returning marathon, half marathon and 10km runners and walkers.
Two thirds down! This is the point where you really start wondering why you keep doing this to yourself.
Some entertainment provided by the can-can onesies near the 30k mark.
The long and winding road. A sealed walkway leading us all the way back to the finish.
The bagpipe player is a feature we remembered from our previous running of the Taupo Half Marathon.
The finish, yay!
Friendly volunteers braving all the smelly feet to help remove timing chips.
Delicious buns and chicken soup at the finish – a lovely touch.

If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn Totalsport created this new event as a sneaky way to lure people into trail running. 🙂

The Hoka One One Taupo Marathon is new on the calendar for 2015. Totalsport took over the reigns in 2014 for all events – a 5, 10 and 21km, adding the new 42km to their offering this year for both runners and walkers. And what a great addition, I must add!

The first half is a non-technical trail run while the second half is on-road. The second half is the same route as the original half marathon, with a couple of minor changes (like the short stretch shortly after the second turn-around point, that is now also paved. Previously it was an off-road dash back to the lake walkway). Continue reading →