The beautiful Mt Karioi – the playing ground for many a runner and cyclist.

Registration at the Fire Station.

Lisa explaining the route.

Beautiful morning with the sun just waiting to poke an eye over Raglan.

Mt Karioi visible in a distance as we made our way out of town. Most other competitors already disappearing into the distance, never to be seen again.

Gerry going strong.

Passing the golf course and me already huffing and puffing.

Gerry flying down the gravel road.

Passing farmlands in the early morning rays of the sun.

A friendly volunteer handing me a cup of water.

Follow the shadows.

Passing typical farm scenes along the way.

Aside from one or two trucks and cars rumbling past, the road was all ours.

Downhill! Finally :-).

Because of the possum infestation, and particularly their night time escapades, possums are often turned into what is locally known as “kiwi speed bumps”.

The loneliness of the long-distance runner. That’s of course if you don’t run with your partner.

Arriving at the first transition point.

Transition point and drinks table at about 15km into the race.

Mt Karioi as seen from another angle. Slowly working our way around the mountain.

Entering the farmland, the terrain changed to grass and paddocks.

The red dirt girl on the red dirt road.

Sharing the green hills with the local farm stock.

Mt Taranaki should be visible on a clear day somewhere in the distance.

Stunning scenery to make you want to sit down, pour a glass and appreciate the moment.

Pigtail pegs marking the route across the paddocks.

The loneliness of the long-distance runner, Part 2.

Lots of muddy sections on the farm roads.

Mud, sweat and tears.

The organisers making sure participants head in the right direction.

The community rallied behind the event – young’uns manning the water station at the 20km mark.

Very appropriate signage after the kids water point. 🙂

Stunning views in abundance on the Karioi Classic.

Huge Manuka (or is it Kanuka?) trees to provide shelter and shadow on hot windy days.

Running back towards Raglan on the ocean side of the mountain.

Volunteers at a very exposed spot on the mountain. Luckily the weather was good, although a bit chilly.

Sixth cyclist from the front and still enough time to take some pics.

Rolling green hills with happy woolly sheep.

Time for a walk break as a bunch of cyclists came past.

Lots of steps on the scenic pathway that leads to the beach.

Run, in the Forest, Run!

Making our way down to the beach.

Being so far towards the back of the field, we reached the beach as the tide was going out, resulting in hard sand and “easy” running.

Only about 4kms to go. Yeah!

Gerry still feeling strong and running well within himself.

Gerry all smiles on the final 2kms.

The grassy bit to the finish felt like it was nine miles long.

Lisa encouraging and congratulating participants at the finish.

Dirk handling the prize-giving.

And moi as the second female finisher in my age category – a first time ever for me! Age has it’s advantages. 😉

Celebrating with a well-earned bubbly.

Watching the sun set after a wonderful day out.

In our buildup towards the Tarawera (I still get sleepless nights every now and again just at the thought that we’ve actually entered for this mammoth event), we opted to do the inaugural Karioi Classic trail run (a 44km run around Mt Karioi) which is luckily mostly just off-road and not very technical. The cycling event has been going for a few years, but this would mark the first running of the Karioi. Initially I was a little reluctant to enter, due to me maybe not being fit enough, Raglan being too far from Palmy and the event probably being to soon after our previous marathon. However, the race sounded so nice that we decided to do it anyway notwithstanding my trepidation – we desperately need time on the trails, and what better way to spent it than with like minded folk (although we were for the most part by ourselves on the trail). And there’s just something about an inaugural, isn’t there? Continue reading →