Wanganui Harriers

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Three bridges and three ditches

Date: 9 December 2017
Distance: 21.1km
Time: 2:12.20
Previous: 2010, 2014

Still going strong despite ramping up my kilometres significantly this week. [Pic by Jonesy’s Photography.]
Registration.
Still had my fleece top on. Briefly considered running with it!
Bill doing race briefing.
Crossing the first bridge (Dublin St Bridge) going upstream.
Some cloud at the start with little bits of blue/sunny sky peeking through.
It’s going to happen, and Gerry can’t come with. 😦
One of the three cheeky ditches.
Participants lazing around after the event.
Trying to get the stupid phone app to keep going. It asked a million questions and then paused!
Passing over Cobham Bridge, looking out to the sea.
What looked like a boat with two fisherman, turned out to be a little sand bank in the low-tide river.
Pack n Save as the main sponsor for the marathon.
Kowhai Park next to the Whanganui River.
Gerry came over for support and a photo after my first lap.
Prize-giving.
Another one of the ditches. They are far steeper than it looks on the photo.

The Whanganui 3-bridges event was only the third event we’d done in NZ (in 2010) and I still have fond memories of the day. We only did the 10km back then, but having done the Mountain to Surf marathon in 2008 during a visit and tour of the country, and the Kahuterawa Classic 7km also in 2010, we were starting to get a feel for NZ events. Continue reading →

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Marton to Wanganui relay

Date: 12 September 2015
Distance: 66.37km
Time: 6:05.58
Previous: 2011

Team Going Nowhere Slowly ready for action!
Bill handling the registration.
Jolly banter at the start with Peter and Kevin.
And we were off.
Having fun on leg one.
The first change-over. Change-overs between legs are very laid-back and informal.
Gerry and Marian having a chat.
Sunny and warm in the countryside for the first half.
Downhill with a warm morning sun in your back – bliss!
Some support from other teams.
Support crew keeping busy, doing … uhm, not much (Steph, Kevin and Peter).
Marian getting support from Peter and Kevin.
A wonderful blue-skies morning with just a chilly breeze to keep us from getting too comfortable.
Given the length of the race and the relatively small field, there were a few lonely stretches, but for the most part it was quite a social morning.
Support vehicles lining the side of the road.
Peter making sure Marian gets the necessary hydration.
Supporters point of view.
Running in the beautiful Rangitikei countryside, with some slips remaining as proof of the recent floods.
Catching up with some walkers who left earlier.
Another gentle downhill allowing Gerry to pick up the pace.
Flying down a long, winding downhill stretch.
Nothing beats a good morning in the NZ countryside.
Catching up with a Manawatu Strider walker.
The miles fly by when you smile.
More evidence of the devastating floods that hit the region a few months back.
Silt-filled paddocks serve as a reminder of the recent flooding.
These paddocks were lakes a few months ago.
Two cattle in the road nearly brought everything to a standstill: bikers, cars and Gerry on his leg.
The toughest hill on the course, a 2.5km climb up Reid’s Hill.
Nearing the top with support from Gerry and a couple of Striders team members.
As we caught up with the larger walking teams, change-over points were humming with activity.
Despite a warm-ish start, and lovely blue skies, the day got chillier as we got closer to the finish.
Still having fun!
An off-road stretch …
The second last leg – undulating and gravelly.
Having a chat to one of the Taranaki walkers.
Gerry passing the Okoia School.
The last leg – not far to go.
Gerry digging deep to keep up the pace over the final couple of kilometres.
Peter on his last lap.
Gerry on his way to the finish.
All done! Despite a much faster run than last time, we were feeling surprisingly fresh.
Kevin snapping his team-mate Peter at the finish line.

When Gerry and I did this event the previous time, we were fairly new to the area and hardly knew anybody. Although the event is quite sociable, I still remember running by myself for the most part, with Gerry supporting, and vice versa when he was on. We leap-frogged the whole course which I enjoyed thoroughly. Continue reading →