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 →