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AU/NZVol02.Ed09 > WINTER 2013 > au/nz
DRYING IN MOTIONTHE NEW STANDARD IN SWEAT REMOVAL AND TEMPERATURE REGULATIONFlashDry molecular drying technology acts like your second skin, pushing moisture to thesurface of the fabric and eliminating it. During high-endurance activities, FlashDry workswith your body to keep you dry, cool and focused.Find out more about FlashDryTHENORTHFACE.COM.AUFor stockists info, visit us online or callPH: 02 8306 3311ANDREW LEE GETS ONE LAST RUN IN BEFORE THE NORTH FACE 100 IN BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. PHOTO: MARK WATSONBETTER THAN NAKED CREW AND SHORTS, AND ULTRA GUIDE SHOES.
contents8. Editors’ Columns >Australia, New Zealand, AsiaTRAIL MIX26. Event preview >Night Trail Series Auckland, NZ28. Event preview >Big Red Run, Queensland100. Trail Porn > It’s dirtier than everFEATURES38. Miler High Club >Tegyn Angel joins it at Northburn48. Trail Destination >Pearl of the Orient, Hong Kong66. Himalaya’s hidden talent >Upendra Sunuwar76. One Step Beyond the Heaphy >book excerpt with Mal Law84. Kung Fiji Master > Grant Guise in JapanREVIEWS14. Now’s A Good Time to Buy >The best in winter kit24. Nutrition review >The good dirt on Pocket Fuel92. Shoe Review >From sensitive soles to golden delightsINTERVIEWS30. Profile > Summit Sister Jo Brischettoon juggling trails, work and family58. Profile > Andre Blumberg,Trail King of KongTrail Guides110. Lake Angelus > New Zealand112. Springbrook National Park > Queensland114. Phia Valley > New Zealand116. Wisemans Ferry > New South Wales6Damian Smith approaching thesummit of Mt Bogong duringthe 100 mile La Sportiva AlpineChallenge, Victoria, Australia.Photo by > Stephen Uptonwww.runningwild.net.au/alpine-challenge
Fun RunningImage > Running TNF 50 > Mark Watson > www.inciteimages.com“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lotsof good fun that is funny.” — Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat.“That was a fun run.”But what’s the meaning of ‘fun’?Aside from a cat in a hat, other potentially dubious online referencestell us that: “Fun is the enjoyment of pleasure, particularly in leisureactivities. Fun is an experience - short-term, often unexpected,informal, not cerebral and generally purposeless. It is an enjoyabledistraction, diverting the mind and body from any serious task.”Where does our trail running fit into that?Nearly every trail run (but not every one) I do will be punctuatedwith: “That was awesome fun!” Yet, usually I’m hurting, tired, sore.Not the kind of things stereotypically associated with fun.And picking apart the above definition as it may or may not relateto a singletrail junkie, trail running can absolutely be cerebral – infact trail running’s requirement for heightened cerebral activity(lest you eat dirt), is one of my favourite aspects. Think: about footplacement, strategise about pace, monitor your body’s performance,muse about life, wonder how old that gigantic gum tree is…Purposeless? That’s a sticky one – some of my best trail runs havehad absolutely no purpose. Tick for fun. Not fitness, not PBs,not training, not conditioning…they have been driven purely bythe urge to be floating along a sublime piece of singletrack witha smile on my dial. The imagining of that scenario has been theonly impetus for me to kit up, head out and fulfill the imagining.Purposeless running rocks my world.“Diverting the mind and body from any serious task”? Well, trailrunning can be pretty serious when you’ve been out in the bushfor hours, it’s dark, your headlamp is powering down and you’verun out of water (damn…forgot to think through your run priorto heading out, now my body is suffering). Some trail running –especially adventure runs – can be very serious indeed.But in that, there can be fun.Exhibit A: an afternoon atop Mount Buffalo in Victoria, Australia, withsome trail buddies. Studying topo maps, we noticed a ‘route only’ trailthat according to the topography markings dropped more than onekilometer in less than five kilometres. The Holy Grail (in Australia):the Vertical Kilometre run that most pundits reckon doesn’t exist in thiscountry of hillocks. We were duty bound to run it, despite the fading light.Drop off the top of the Buffalo escarpment and fast forward three hours.No trail. We’d been belting through thick wilderness, a headlamp hadfailed, water had run dry and we were still stuck on the side of a mountaingetting sucked down dead end valleys. Shit started getting serious. Even so,popping out onto foothill farmland in pitch blackness, four and a halfhours and only 10km after dropping off the top, dehydrated, our bodiestorn to shreds, we almost skipped down the road waiting for our pick up.There was not, except for the final paddock dash through a herd ofconfused cows, really any running involved: it was all scramble, fall andnavigate. And a lot of thinking our way out of trouble.Damn it was a fun run, though.And therein lies the Big Fun found in running trails: each step can be seriousor flippant, with purpose or with abandon, in a race or all alone, in painor painfree, mindfully or mindlessly (watch the root): trail running canbe a bit of everything, a lot of something and sometimes a lot of nothing.For me, it’s the childhood thing: it just is and I just do it because it feelsgood (even when it feels bad).I’m with American poet Robert Frost (who may or may not have beena trail runner): “So was I once myself a swinger of birches.And so I dream of going back to be.”Too cerebral?How about: “It ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none.” – Snoop Dogg.Get some.Ed on da trails,Chris ORD, AU Editorchris@trailrunmag.com8 aUstralian Ed’s letter > chris ord9
Tool timeI forget who first described me as “stubbornly naive”but I loved the phrase and have adopted it as a kind of philosophy.Being stubbornly naive allows me to feel outraged and indignant aboutinjustices that might provoke a mere shrug and a “life sucks” responsefrom a more cynical Vicki. So when I heard that someone tried to blowup a bunch of runners – RUNNERS?? – I was absolutely mortified.This turn of events was a two-run job: a solo affair to think throughevents and form a perspective, then a social run with friends who wouldcurve and refine that point of view with robust discussion.You see, running is not just my ‘sport’ - it’s the TOOL I use to managemy life. The physical benefits are far-reaching and thanks to the effortsof people like trail-running advocate Mal Law, more and more peopleare turning to running for the intangible benefits. I suspect manyof you also ‘use’ running as thinking time, problem-solving time, timespent away from stressors, an opportunity to harmonise with nature.‘Active relaxation’ and ‘active meditation’ are relatively new conceptsstrongly promoted by the Dalai Lama and our own John Kirwan,and fitting for our modern frenetic way of life.However, I strongly believe that in order for a tool to be effective,you have to be passionate about the one you choose. If trail running(or running in general) is another demand you need to fit into yourlife – then it isn’t going to happen. If it is part of your strategy for living– then you will have no trouble lacing up and bouncing out the door!Run to work (cross-country, of course)... run the dog... run to thecinema or a friend’s for dinner (pick good friends who love you evenwhen you are smelly and sweaty).I digress. The bombing of the Boston Marathon is just one of manyassaults upon humanity that has occurred within our lifetime,so I wondered why this incident had my nerves jangling. I run.I discuss it with my peers, and it gradually dawns that the peopletargeted in this instance are MY people. Sure, I run mostly trail –but let’s be honest: we all do the odd marathon or quick after-work10km around the block, or roadie when we are injury-conscious,tapering or recovering from an off-road trail event. The Bostonmarathoners run for many of the same reasons we do. They are addictedto the same drug we have chosen. We have all crossed a finish lineto resounding support from people we love: our parents, partners,friends, family: our CHILDREN have stood where 8-yr-old MartinRichard was standing, waiting proudly for his Dad to come in. This isa subset of OUR community... and I begin to understand how coldlystrategic these assaults are, undertaken by people who have a deepunderstanding of the way communities function, and how to cut thelegs out from under them.Well. It was effective in rendering an enormous amount of peoplevulnerable: I watched the 6o’clock News with my sons, who tearfullybegged me to stop running. Stop running? NEVER!! But not indefiance of the Boston Bombers, or those responsible for the MothersDay massacre, or any other tormented souls determined to securetheir place by the fire in the afterlife. Running is as much a part of mylife as brushing my teeth: hitting the trail feeds my soul, restores mysanity, and is a connection of profound value with old and new friends,wild and beautiful places. So although I do have a renewed sense ofvulnerability, it is far from defeatist: rather I am more determinedto make a conscious choice to live each moment the best way I knowhow: to treat family and friends with love and respect; to support ourcommunity; to honour the environment. To value life. And to RUN.Vicki Woolley, NZ EDITORinfo@trailrunmag.com10 nz Ed’s letter > vicki woolley11
Asian (Adventure) AttitudeImage > Lloyd Belcher > lloydbelchervisuals.photoshelter.comAdventure can strike in the strangest of places. Take HongKong, for example. The global city - better known for boozing,business and overindulgence - is exposed in this edition as anunusual trail running Mecca, worshipped daily by a clan ofdedicated local runners. It’s also home to some of the seriouslyadventurous, pushing the limits of what seems humanly possible.There are other places (and races) on offer from your Asianneighbours that you’ve probably never even heard of, too.Thankfully, with the addition of Asia to the fodder Trail Run Magwill cover moving forward, you will be transported from yourcouch/bus seat/bed right to these new mysterious trails, justa plane ride away. You are set to meet some curious new facesand some future legends-in-the-making. (It only took themnine editions, but thanks for including us guys).Your long weekend holidays will never be the same again – wepromise. And you can kiss goodbye to your typical Bali beachfests,snoozy Vietnam getaways or Bangkok blowouts. So sit back,relax and start planning: we’re going to chuck you knee-deepin some exotic trail running porn. Starting now. (Oolala!!)But for you hardcore trailites (you’re so hardcore, you’re evenreading this editorial), we also know this is going to cause somedilemmas. With so many races already on the local agenda, howcan your bursting bucket list tolerate new additions? What canbe removed from the budget to allow for the additional travelyou’re going to need to take? How can you convince your bossyou should take MORE annual leave? And how do you say“fuck I’m lost”, “where’s the next checkpoint” and “where canI get some water” - vital trail run speak – in the local language?Something’s gotta give someday, right? As the world gets smaller,trail running gets bigger and the lines between the possible andimpossible get blurred, it can become all too tempting at timesto pack it all in, don the shoes and get lost in all the differentcorners of the world. Heck, if Dakota can do it, why can’t you?Breathe. As the temptation to search out new adventures gets toooverwhelming, the walls of your life too confining, just remember:adventure is not a destination, it’s a mindset. It’s about exploration– both internal and external – and finding your limits, thenexceeding them. It’s an approach to life; adventure can be foundin your own backyard if you look at it with a fresh pair of eyes.So while we at Trail Run Mag are all about stretching the wings andthe toes and want to show you the best Asia Pacific has to offer intrail running adventures and adventurers, when you start goinggreen with envy and sprouting mysterious little jungle ferns fromyour armpits, we want to remind you to take off your shoes, getyour feet in some dirt and remember the basics: adventure is whatyou make of life. Adventure is an attitude.Go out and run old trails with a new zest; run new ones with thereckless abandon you once had when you couldn’t tie up your ownshoelaces and life was much simpler. Get a new group of matestogether; or reunite an old gathering and set off on new routes.Get in the car. Get on a train. And if you are lucky enough, geton that plane.Adventure can strike in the strangest of places. Just sometimes yougotta turn around and pick up the other end of the adventure stick,and start whacking it about. Who knows what trails you mightuncover along the way.Lots of trail love and all that mushy stuff from your new ed basedoutta Asia,Rachel JACQUELINE, ASIAN Editorinfo@trailrunmag.com12 aSIAN Ed’s letter > Rachel Jacqueline13
gear > a good time to buy…WINTER KITMONTANEWinterKITSome runners baulk at the first snap of winter.The bite of cold, frost and rain; even some snow…it tends to dissuade.We refer of course to road runners. Us trailites, well, we justget on with it and rejoice in the sting of a heavy shower onthe face, knowing the ground will get muddy, and we’ll be likelittle dirt-pigs, perhaps even ‘accidentally falling’ to cover ourselvesproperly in the grimy, slimy stuff. Or is that just me?Point is, we like running in Nature (yes, capital ‘N’ – show some respect),and never do you feel her raw, wild moods more than when there’sa squall whipping at your heels and around your head. Enjoy it.But dress for it… Here’s a few pages for all you gear junkies, featuringsome clobber perfect for this winter, leaving no excuses for not getting out there.Hyena JacketRRP AU$239At the heart of this jacket’s high-endcomfort factor is its Polartec Powershieldmaterial: brushed and warm inside butabrasion, wind and water resistant on theouter. While not a run-specific jacket(it’s been designed for all-mountain, allactivity),it lends itself to the trails with itsability to regulate temperature while keepingall but the worst wind and rain at bay.Match to a lightweight Montane waterproofjacket, and a wicking tee underneath andyou have an ideal winter run kit for thetorso. Notable features include soft-linedcollar, velcro cuffs, mesh pockets that withzips open double as ventilation, drawstringhem, rugged seam stitching and a stretchfabric panel finish that allows for therigors of constant movement while addingbreathability under arms. Perfect for thosecrisp morning runs.BeanieRRP AU$45Warm. What moredo you need?14 15
gear > a good time to buy…WINTER KITMONTANEBatpack 6RRP AU$75Sonic UltraT-ShirtRRP AU$69Bright, light and barelythere comfortable. Wicks well.‘Nuff said. It’s a tee perfectfor running. A larger fitfor those who like it a bit looser.If you’re more a belt runner than a backpackrunner, this could be for you. With twolightweight bottles slung like six shooterseither side, there’s a bunch of room in thezip compartment, plus a secondary smallerzip pocket for more goodies to see youthrough those (hundred) miles. The realsmarts is in the tension system that rips ineither side to get best fit plus vertically tocompact the kit as you empty it of nutritionor you’ve taken a rain jacket out and wantto stop any gear shift. The V-waist strappulls the tension evenly around reducingmovement on waist, the Contact Meshused for against body padding is supercomfy and less prone to rub, and elastictoggles keep the flip top 800ml bottles in.My only suggestion would be better qualitybottles but the bottle pockets will fit mostregular replacements of your choosing.Great for adventure runs, too, whereyou need extra capacity to a backpack.Trail TightsRRP AU$119Leggings are leggings, right? For the mostpart, yes, but this pair stacked up betterthan any other I have worn running –warmer and most importantly, no chafe.The Nylon-elastine material was supercomfy, dried quickly and a built-in gussetkept everything rub-free. Keep in mindthese are for warmth and protection, notcompression. Zip bottoms meant whippingthem off when things got hot was cinch overshoes and the rubberised ankle hems meanthey don’t ride up. A panel constructionprovided more breathability where neededand protection where it mattered most.The only niggle was that the external hemsdid fray a little – but that was after fourhours in the roughest, off-trail wildernessyou could imagine. These are so good,I’m heading out to buy another pair.Trail Star JacketRRP AU$99You know those chill early morningruns where the wind can nip butyou know halfway through, you’llstart generating body heat again?This is the jacket for those type ofruns. Super lightweight and tiny whenscrunched and packed, the Star is forwhen you need to dissipate heat andperspiration in conditions that arestill too cold to strip back to just a tee.The jacket’s Aeroflyte fabric is the keyand a durable water repellent finishbeads off the rain in light showers(anything heavier you’ll get wet).Articulated arms allow free bodymovement during fast-paced descents.Lycra-bound cuffs are wide enoughto be pulled up over forearms to aidcooling and thumb loops add glovecomfort options. Only 152g (M).Stockist > For all Montane trail run gear check outwww.mainpeak.com.au 171617
gear > a good time to buy…WINTER KITICEBREAKERBlast JacketRRP AU$299.95Run CushionMini SockSprintLeggingsRRP AU$129.95The thought of merino(rather than some man-madefabric) leggings had me cockingan eyebrow. But pulling theseon, they are slinkier than youthink and with 200gm merino,warm as toast. They do resemble(and essentially are) baselayer thermals, so wear shortson top, fellas…(the ladies willthank you). Could be a goodmatch to waterproof overpants(see Salomon gear page over)in cold and wet conditions.AC QuantumGloveRRP AU$44.95Cold hands equals no-fun run.Ergo, gloves. You think they are a luxury(and I guess they are if you’re talkingfirst world vs. rest of world) until youactually say to yourself, goddam it,I’m glovin’ up this morning, to hell withwhat names the trailite brothers willcall me. And then there’s no going back…There’s a saying ‘the duck’s nuts’. The Blastis not, as it happens, made from duck’snuts, nor for that matter from merinosheep nuts, but it is bang on the sentimentbehind the saying: that is, one of thebest things for cold weather running.The polyester front does a bang-up jobblocking the fiercest of wind, while the 39per cent merino, 45 per cent nylon and16 per cent elastane back, with airventincluded, allows for decent breathabilitygiven its heavier weight for a run shell.The polyester extends down the tops of thesleeves to help keep arms dry. While notwaterproof, water does bead off it inanything up to a light shower. And of coursethe merino stays smell-free after hoursof running and the stretch constructionmeans a full range of torso motion is troublefree. Thumb loops would have been a greataddition, but otherwise becoming a go-toas we head into the extreme winter periodduring which the trail still beckons.Pocket HatRRP AU$29.95Warm. Reversible.Two coloursfor the price of one.Flexi ChuteRRP AU$39.95A Merino version of the headsweatsthat are almost de riguer on trailsthese days – I never hit a trail withoutone. This one’s warmer than most.I twist onto my wrist as a sweatband(sounds so Xanadu, I know) andthen use as either a neck warmer orbeanie when the going gets really cold.RRP AU$29.94Socks that last. And tone downthe stink. Ahhhh merino…Relay ShortSleeve CreweRRP AU$149.95150gm merino keeps things snug(or in summer, actually keeps youcool) with a little Lycra for better fit.Eyelet mesh panels provide extrabreathability, raglan sleeves give easeof movement, and flatlock seamsprevent chafing. A super comfytee, although not so sure about“keep(ing) your keys in the handyback pocket.” A gel: perfect.Pursuit HalfZip Longsleeve topRRP AU$179.95Specifically designed for cold weatherworkouts, this technical base layer is madefrom 260gm merino with a little Lycra forthe perfect fit. Features include zip neck collarfor temperature control, anti-chafe seams,and underarm gusset for comfort and freedomof movement. Combined with the RelayCrewe, it was the perfect set up for a drybut snowy run on a freezing mountaintopin Victoria’s High Country. Yep, twomerino layers were all that was needed.Stockist > For all Icebreaker trail run gear check outwww.icebreaker.com18 19
gear > a good time to buy…WINTER KITSALOMONBonattiWaterproofJacketRRP AU$199.99Everyone’s on the hunt foran ultra event-legal but superlightweight waterproof jacket, right?And while there are plenty oflightweight (190g) water-resistantor wind proofers out there –all great in their own category- there’s not much that comesclose to this beauty. Ridiculouslylightweight, the Bonatti scrunchesto fist size, and shuts down thewet to gain the ‘proof’ tag.Features include seam seals,stretchy, breathable Climapromaterial for comfort duringrigorous activity, thumb holds, stashchest pocket, large zip for gloveduse and elastic in the hood to keepit in place on the move. A winner.XT Wings GloveRRP AU$49.99Perfect for those bitterly cold winds that make yourfingers feel like an elephant is standing on them,these light weight gloves feature a reinforcedpalm for durability while carrying poles, anda rain cover that stows into the back of the glove.Ideal for unpredictable conditions where youstill need quick access to finger dexterity. Workeda treat in the icy conditions of Mount Hotham.Bonatti Waterproof PantsRRP AU$129.99Admittedly I was skeptical at the thought ofwaterproof pants for running. ‘Shwip, shwip,shwip…’ Annoying. So I was truly surprisedat how good these were – kept legs dry, breathedsome, and no real ‘shwip’ sounds. Used intough whiteout snow conditions in the HighAlps, their super-lightweight nature meant,apart from the odd need to hitch‘em back up the waist, I forgot I waswearing them. Featuring zip entryankles, drawstring waist, and seamsealed, they are an awesome bit of kitfor any wet weather task where stayingwet for too long is not an option.Speedcross 3with ClimashieldRRP AU$179.99The Speedcross has been one of themainstay bush bulldozer go-tos fora while now, their super aggressive gripand race-orientated design favouredby mud-munchers across the world.The 3 version’s upgrades include aroomier toe and a slight drop in the heelto toe, but otherwise the shoe maintainsits role as a durable, fairly lightweightracer for super tricky trail conditions.The most noticeable advance in the CSversion is the addition of Climashield,a half-foot protective lining that keepsthe forefeet drier (and warmer) inthe slop of winter. Nothing will keepyour feet waterproof when it comesto footwear and in trail running norshould you want it to, but peggingthrough the snow in Falls Creek, thesewere the perfect option, giving grip,warmth and keeping my foot moisturefree longer. The fit is snug as a racershould be, with a still-traditionalapproach to the midsole taking in a9mm heel to toe drop with plenty ofcushioning and a decent heel heightwhich some may find plays on stability.This is no shoe for hard, flat fire trails,the lugs becoming noticeable as theybump in under your foot when thegoing is smooth and solid underneath.Rather this is the go-to for supertechnical and slippery conditionswhere terrain is ever changing. In fact,you could almost play football in them.Stockist > For all Salomon trail run gear check outwww.salomon.com/au20 21
gear > a good time to buy…WINTER KITSUUNTOAmbit 2 & 2SThere’s been equal amounts hoo-haa (a.k.a. whingeing)and hallelujah in Gear Geek World about the launchof the Ambit 2 and 2S GPS watches. As with anytechnology, the kerfuffle centres on launch dates andproduct cycles: it’s hard to pick when to take the plungeand purchase. Do you wait for version 2.0 or hang til 3.0?But then 4.0 is only a year or so away … and so on, inthe iAnything mold. Typically, if you purchased anoutgoing model just prior to its younger sleeker brotherbirthing on stands, you’re in the disgruntled brigade,and if you held out, or your old GPS unit died justas the marketing push began, you’re a happy camper.But as with any ongoing cycle of technology, there’snever a good time to buy. The next model is alwaysjust around the corner no matter when you dump yourcash. So put a halt to your FOMO (Fear Of MissingOut) and concentrate on the useability factor instead.Simply stated, the old Ambit will continue to do thedamn good job it was always hailed for before the 2was launched earlier this year. So be happy. Even ifyou just bought the original model. It’s still a great unit.That said, helllooooo Ambit 2, you sleek little devil,you. Main change: the Ambit 2S has a lost a fewfeatures (barometric sensor for one), a few grams,a bit of bulk, some battery life and a whack of pricetag.It’s built more for sport and less for ‘explorers’.The ‘S’ is for specialisation and sports like swimming,running, cycling, and multisports…The Ambit 2, however, retains the battery life and theinclusion of barometric sensors, essentially keeping theexplorer and ultra-distance endurance athlete happy andmaintaining its place as the apex GPS watch predator.The main upgrade across both new units is the‘app’-ification – the ability to bolt on or evenprogram software to drive and get more useabilityfrom your watch according to what you use it forand what data you want to extract from your activity.Both units now accept 50 pre-configurable appswhereas the original could only handle 10 (max ofone assigned per each sport on the unit).The Ambit2 features both barometric and GPSbasedaltitude settings in what they dub a FusedAltimeasurement that will keep Vert Kilometre fiends sated.Suunto apps add to the offering via plug-ins that providesunrise/sunset times, tidal info, and storm warnings.Mind you, the Ambit 2S, while losing the accuracyof barometric gauging, retains a GPS-based altituderead, so you will still get a decent figure for yourhard-earned gain on Mother Earth. Downside: youlose battery life, down to 8 hours on trail-runningpreferred (and default) one-second monitoring.But the unit is lighter, slimmer and less expensive.Both units have Heart Rate Monitor add-ons withthe Ambit 2 offered in a special Sapphire design atthe top end of pricing.Ambit 2 > RRP AU$550-$700 Ambit 2S > RRP $450-$500atelier ésope chamonix - © photographies pascal tournaire et Yosuke Kashiwakura“ Share my passion”“WhenI grow-up,I want to be aFinisher !...”The North Face ® Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc ® ,is a celebration born from the desire to share the passionfor Trail-running, where there are 6000 trailer runners at the startof one of the 4 races, supported by their family, friends, volunteers andinhabitants of the Pays du Mont-Blanc.August 26 th – September 1 st 2013 www.ultratrailmb.com www.ultratrail.tvMore than a sporting event, a true human adventure to be shared…www.facebook.com/SuuntoAustraliaNZwww.suunto.com2223
Nutrition review>Other Products>PocketFuel50g > NZ$4.99 / 84g > NZ$7.505-pack (50g) > NZ$22.9510-pack (50g) > NZ$43.95Available online Down Undervia the BackcountryRunner Shop found atwww.backcountryrunner.co.nzFurther information at:www.pocketfuelnaturals.comWhen it comes to nutrition, debates rage,theories abound on how the machine we callthe body takes on and processes fuel, andwhen the best timing is for taking on boardvarious fuel elements according to activity.To date it seems there is some science butlittle agreement, the only consensus beingthat each individual has to experiment todiscover what works for them.I’ve long found that a banana eaten justprior to my trail runs and one aboutten minutes or so in works a treat, mythinking that ‘real’ foods works for betterme than processed, hyper-lab developedsubstitutes. Well, as long as I can keep thereal foods down, that is.And so here we have an all-natural productthat works a treat as part of the nutritionalkit bag for those seeking a naturalalternative to slimy gels.Based on nut butters – peanut, hazelnutand almond depending on flavour – thesePocketFuels pack upwards of 450 caloriesper 85g reuseable pouch (or upwards of 350calories in a 50g pouch), making them anexcellent choice for long bouts on the trail.Packed with ‘whole food’ ingredientsthat mix nut pastes with raw sugar/canejuice, oils, seeds and sea salt, eachsatchel serves up a bunch of B vitamins,minerals and electrolytes includingpotassium, manganese, calcium, iron,magnesium, zinc, selenium and sodium.These electrolytes are absorbed efficientlyinto the bloodstream, speeding fluidto your cells to refuel, rehydrate andreplenish. Quick absorption is essentialfor warding off fatigue, cooling thebody and achieving peak performance.An average ratio of 2:1 carbohydrate toprotein place these squarely in the preand during run consumption category.There is no doubt that taste andtexture take some getting used tobut are, in the way natural foods canoften be – addictive. Not all flavourswill be for everyone, pending yourpalate, but there are enough across therange to suit most: Vanilla Haze, ChiaGoji and Honey, Crunchy Bananaand Blueberry, Chunky Coconutand Cherry, Pineapple Coconut,Chocolate Espresso, Chocolate Haze,Chocolate Smackeroon.For this sweet tooth tester it was allabout the fruit (banana, pineapple)and chocolate-based varieties.PocketFuels require a bit more waterto consume then standard gels, and canbe a bit gritty on first try. Stick withit, that grit in your mind becomes apleasurable notion of munching realbut easy to digest food. Like all nutbutters, the oils tend to separate so youreally need to massage the pack beforeopening, sometimes annoying if you’reon the hoof at pace, but fine for theslower paced ultras.Keeping an eye on the environment,the pouches are reusable (but hardto clean). For those with dietaryrestrictions, ingredients are glutenfree and all flavors are vegan with theexception of the Chia Goji and Honey.SmartwoolSmartloft JacketRRP AU$299This innovative jacket from Smartwool isa new take on the down-style puffer jacket,albeit this set up is very much a mid-layerif you’re talking general wear in freezingconditions. But we’re talking specificallyfor trail running, which is where perhapsthis jacket shines more so than for otheradventure activities. The main sell is in theuse of wool, or ‘Smartloft’, in place ofregular down loft in the front torso section.The baffled front outer combined withthe wool filling keeps you warm and blocksout the icy winds pummeling into you asyou speed along on a crisp morning.Better than regular loft for high intensityworkouts, it wicks moisture away muchmore efficiently. MerinoMax fabric onthe arms and back offer more breathabilityand body temperature regulation and theregular benefit of merino wool warmth.Thumbholes provide hand comfort anduseability with gloves in the cold. Handwarmer pockets are a plus as is the ‘mediapocket’ on the chest. A hood would havebeen a good addition, it is bulkier thansome for stashing and the price is onthe higher end for a run jacket, but theperformance on trail makes it a worthwhileaddition to the winter run kit.www.seatosummitdistribution.com.auAcupro AcumatRRP AU$99I know what you’re thinking, looking atthose devilish spikes: S&M. Straight fromthe dungeon of pain, huh? Well, there’sa link, but no, this mat is not swipedfrom a local parlor of specialist disrepute,rather it is the latest implement in thewar on post-run pain. The Acupro matis a made to improve exercise recoveryby releasing trigger points and knots inmuscles, while also improving circulationand joint mobility, all while performingyour regular stretching, pilates, yoga, orrehab routine. The pointed surface designassists relaxation of muscles and improvescirculation via acupressure (“passiveischaemic pressure”), much like gettinga massage. The key is in the stimulationof muscle trigger nerve cells called“muscle spindles” or mechanoreceptors.These tell your brain how much tensionis running through the muscle tissue, andwhen triggered the brain tells the muscleto “relax” which allows more circulationof blood, oxygen and electrolytes tothe muscle cells which releases musclesand restores optimal tone. The activesurface also challenges stability andproprioceptive pathways, triggering micromuscle reaction. Without a full musclemeasurement lab kit, we can only go onthe subjective experience of using themat: essentially you feel like your stretchsession has had a much bigger impactand walk away from more ‘released’ thanif just performed on a flat surface.We think it works a treat.www.acupro.com.au2425
trail event preview > INOV8 NIGHT RUN SERIES, NEW ZEALANDHere’s something different: dirty dashes in the dark. There’s somethingdifferent, more exciting about running at night. Don the head torch,and sharpen the senses as you blast through the bush with narybut a tunnel of light to pick out that low hanging branch and thatpop-up root underfoot. It’s trail running with adrenaline.The Inov8 Night Run Series by Total Sport is a perfect way to mixup your working week ‘hump day’, taking place on Wednesdayevenings and in locations only 15-20mins from Auckland’s CBD.There are four remaining events in the series, for all levels of fitnesswith very achievable (or bolt-able) 5-6km distances and loop courses.Even better, and in true Total Sport style, there will bethe added motivation of a hot sausage and cold Speight’sto bring you across the finish line.19 June > Totara Park10 July > Royal Albany Reserve31 July > Roberta Reserve / Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve21 August > Birkenhead Domain / Eskdal Parkwww.trailrun.co.nz/nightrunseries2627
trail event preview > BIG RED RUN, QUEENSLANDTHE GPS FOR ATHLETESIt’s shaping up to be the biggest multi day run event Australia hasseen, not just in terms of the brutal distances and fire breathingterrain, but also the entertainment and entry list. The Big Red Run– an event with a big heart given its aim to raise money and awarenessfor Type 1 Diabetes – has attracted some of the most experiencedtrail and adventure runners to be found Down Under, includingthe Desert Queen herself, Lisa Tamati.Tamati’s experience racing across the Gobi, Sahara, Niger and a fewother desert-scapes beside will come in handy not just for her ownattempt to knock over the 250km/6-day monster, but also for oneof trail land’s blazing young stars in Lucy Bartholomew, who will nodoubt be a sponge to Tamati’s experience.Another young ultra gun in Matty Abel will be in the fray, lookingto test his mettle in the sands and red ochre tracks of the SimpsonDesert. He’ll be competing against a field from across the globe.The multiday course darts west from iconic Birdsville hopping betweenthree camps with two out and back loop sections from two of them.Despite the soft sandy PR imagery, most running is on terrafirma with the multiday course described as “approximately15% gibber plains, 75% firm surface sand (flat valleys anddunes), 5% loose sand on dune crests and 5% following thedry bed of Eyre Creek.”The daily breakdown is daunting: days 1-3 take in marathondistances, day four is the easy day at 31km before the BigBanger day five at 84km followed by a warm down 8km into theBirdsville Pub. There’s also 100km (held on day 5) and marathondistance (held on day 1). Multiday runners only carry a daypackwhile running with all main gear transported between camps.Big Red looks set to be Big Fun in the desert.Will become as iconic as Birdsville itself.Big Red Run > 8-13 Julywww.bigredrun.com.auwww.facebook.com/bigredrunThe Suunto Ambit2 S is designed to fuel your passion forsports. Latest GPS in a light and sleek design with advancedfeatures for running, biking, swimming and more.Perform at your absolute best –every time, everywhere.Thousands of Suunto Apps available to add new features toyour watch.Stay up to date at www.suunto.comLike us on facebook - www.facebook.com/SuuntoAustraliaNZ2829
Finding joAccording to some statistics, the trail runningcommunity has a definite female skew.There is something about single track that isinspiring women to run wild. For owner of thenew Summit Sisters trail running outfit,Jo Brischetto, the journey onto dirt was oneof rediscovering herself as much as thebush trails in her beloved Blue Mountains.Her recent second place at The North Face 100shows it has been a rewarding undertaking.Words > Margaretha Fortmann with Jo BrischettoImages > Lyndon Marceauwww.marceauphotography.com3031
32“It is easy: I just put onmy shoes, go for a run andinstantly get thesolitude that I crave”Running behind my friend Jo, my feet follow a second after hers.I unconsciously copy her movements step-for-step as she nimbly hopsfrom rock onto leafy trail, leading me through a dance with the earth.Jo is light on her feet, delicately navigating the technical terrain.We hug the multi- hued cliffs close to Wentworth Falls,magnificent views our constant as we enjoy the rhythmic upsand downs, the steep stairs, and the trail cut into the sandstone.Jo stops. It is a section of trail where water cascades over us fromabove, light reflected in a million tiny drops. We are on theprecipice looking out across the vast Jamison Valley towardsMt Solitary. Jo starts to cry. The stress of the day – the exhaustivebusiness of motherhood, work, and illness – has been released.“This is what I love about trail running,” Jo sniffs. “Nowheredo I feel my emotions so raw, so close to the surface than whenI am running.” With the pressure released she smiles, turns,and starts running again.Walking into Jo’s house is like venturing into the heart ofa tornado. The chaos of three children under the age of eight,and the management of the school routine, soccer practice,sibling rivalry, chores and homework all collide into a fractiouskaleidoscope of energy. Amid all this commotion Jo remains calm.“Trail running has played a huge part in providing me with the quietI need to balance the business of my home life,” she says. “It is easy:I just put on my shoes, go for a run, and instantly get the solitudethat I crave. The trails are peaceful; it’s just me and the bush.”For Jo, the trails have become more than just a place to get a little“me” time. They are a source of friendship, a place for selfdevelopment,and a way to work through emotions that previouslychallenged her. The bush has become her ultimate therapist.Jo was born in Australia, but with a mother hailing from Belfastwas very much raised in an Irish culture. Her family wouldtravel to Ireland several times during her childhood, heryounger memories a contrast between the brittle political realityof Belfast in the 1980’s and the laidback lifestyle of Sydney.“The visits to Ireland seemed quite ‘normal’ to me and I feltprivileged to have two homes and two nationalities.”She continues slowly: “At the time we knew things were quitemessed up over there. We had to be really wary, there wereunspoken rules about which street you could walk down,soldiers patrolling neighbourhoods with machine guns, andon occasion we would wake up to bombs exploding in the night.During this time two of my family members were murdered.”Interpreting these events with the insight of a child made theworld slightly scarier for Jo.“I don’t want to view my time in Ireland as traumatic, as some ofmy best memories were from there, but certain things were difficultto process as a child and even as an adult. Until recently I wasreally wary of being alone, and could not stand to be in the dark.”Jo pauses, and I feel as if she is waiting for me to laugh at thisconfession. The extent of Jo’s anxiety has only been known toher closest friends. She recalls a run several years ago, whenshe was traversing the rugged Mt Solitary with friends: “I hearda loud crack and felt pain shoot right up my leg.”This would later be diagnosed as a stress fracture, but in themoment Jo knew that she would have to cut her run short.Nevertheless, despite blinding pain, Jo did not want to admitto the group that she would be too scared to take the shorter routeby herself. Instead, she continued on another 20km with herfriends, on her broken leg, all to avoid being alone.
“when I Hit the trailsit teaches me to notonly be okay with beingby myself, but thatit is a complete gift”“It’s only been through trail running that I have been able tochallenge these fears,” she tells me. “When I run, particularlyin a race, I need to be comfortable with the fact that I mightbe on my own and in the dark. I feel like running is such a greatavenue to achieve that.”Over the last six months Jo has taken to the trails alonerather than with her usual crew of friends, gradually buildingup the confidence to run farther away from her local trails.“At first I did feel anxious,” she admits, “But I tried to targetmy focus onto specific things around me. I would listen fordifferent sounds, staying present in what I was doing, enjoyingthe simplicity of running and remembering the reasons I washappy to be there.”Jo progressively gained ground against her fears. At last year’sTNF100, she ran the relay with a girlfriend, taking on thesecond 50km and running a few hours in the dark.[Editor’s Note > after this article was written, Jo placed secondin the 2013 edition of The North Face 100]“There was a moment when I was alone, cramping, thestillness of the night around me. It was a situation I had fearedfor so long, and then when it actually happened I realisedthat I would be okay, and that next time I would probably beokay too,” she says.Jo and her friend would end up finishing as first female pair,setting a new record in their category.“I’m still not great in the dark but that’s cool, I’m not afraid towork on it,” she reflects. “I also find that now I am starting to cravetime alone. There are days when I hit the trails and it teaches me tonot only be okay with being by myself, but that it is a complete gift.”Despite being active growing up and studying a degree inhuman movement, marriage and two babies within eighteenmonths shook Jo’s world.“The wheels really fell off. I was young, I had two kids before the age oftwenty-six, and found the whole experience of motherhood extremelychallenging. Having post-natal depression didn’t help the experience.”She recalls living a cycle of groundhog day: hours spent sittingon the front door step watching her son ride up and down theconcrete path while nursing a newborn, still in her pyjamas,and wishing her husband would come home.“I don’t want to sound ungrateful as motherhood has been ablessing, but the reality was quite different to my expectations.My body and priorities shifted and I stopped valuing myself.”Jo was living next door to a well-known and successful triathlete.She recalls how her curiosity sparked every time she saw cars withbikes on the roof coming and going. The two women <strong>click</strong>ed.“’You need to shift your priorities and value yourself more,’she would tell me,” says Jo. “Her greatest gift was to say:‘You don’t deserve to come last.’”Jo started running, and kilometre by kilometre the distance grew.Three months later she entered her first triathlon.“I still managed to do what I needed to do. By shifting mypriorities I found time I didn’t think was there,” she says. “I startedto build relationships with new like-minded people. I was ableto connect with other mums who were exercising, and this openedup a whole new world to me.”Jo starts to laugh. “Now, I’m like the Tupperware lady tryingto recruit women to the exercise lifestyle!”Trail running was the next step for Jo, as time constraints andtraining for 3 disciplines became more challenging. Jo recalls herfirst trail run, from Woodford to Glenbrook, and starts to laugh.“I was told to bring a backpack...so I took a schoolbag along withsome drink bottles. When I met up with the runners they found mypack hilarious. It was that day that I learnt my first trail-lesson:what a hydration pack is!”3435
Jo’s passion for trail running started that day, inspired andencouraged by the runners who treated her like old friends.Physically, Jo found trail running kinder on the body.“You have to respect the toll that running on the road takes on yourbody. There is no variation in terrain; you use the same musclegroups, the impact is harder. Having had three kids my body haschanged; my joints and ligaments are weaker. It’s really differentrunning in the bush though. From a physical point of viewI’ve had fewer injuries, and experienced less hip and joint pain.”Following on from the stress fracture injury in 2011, Jo startedto practice Yoga to help with her recovery. She discoveredthat it didn’t just provide a time to escape from her busy life,it also complimented her running by strengthening her musclesand improving her flexibility. Upon returning to the trails,Jo won a series of events in quick succession, establishingherself as a strong and gutsy woman with a good amount of speedin her slender legs. She placed placed 2nd in The Great VolcanicChallenge, 2nd at the Glow Worm Tunnel Half Marathon,1st at the Kanangra Classic Challenge (50km trail run/50km MTB),and 1st at the Glenbrook Trail Half Marathon (all New SouthWales-based trail events).What should’ve been a time to celebrate a return to the trailsbecame a source of stress instead.“As I started to win a few races I felt pressured to win. I’d berunning, constantly looking over my shoulder thinking ‘keeprunning, keep running’. I finished those races feeling fearful.”Jo pauses. She tries to articulate the emotions of the race, thecontradictory feelings of winning and yet being disappointed.“Even though I won and everyone was happy for me, I came outof that race feeling like a failure.” With the realisation that shedid not want to win if it meant feeling fearful, Jo took some timeaway from running again. She commenced a diploma in Yoga,and once again the practice helped her trail running.“Yoga taught me about the ego and about the detrimental effectthat has on running. Now, when I race, of course I am competitive.But it is also fun and playful, almost like a game. I realised that beingstressed about other people’s expectations will not make my legs faster.Now I am running to do my best and to push my body to the limit.Trail running has taught me that I can still be the best that I can be,but my motives for being on the trails, the thing that led me to runtrails for the first time was a love of the bush, not a desire to win.”With this statement Jo smiles.“I am taking each run as a gift,” she says, a declaration before anevening spent with her family, negotiating the balance of being amother and a trail runner *Jo Brischetto has teamed with well known trail runner, TeamSalomon’s Gretel Fortmann, to create Summit Sisters, a companythat “nurtures self-belief, encourages adventure and empowerswomen to discover their true capabilities,” through their trailrunning, adventure and retreat programs tailored for women.www.summitsisters.com.auThe La Sportiva Mountain Running ® range springs from the desire to meet the needs ofrunners who want move quickly and easily around the mountains or on off-road tracks. Therange has been inspired by the world of skyracing, ultra marathons and vertical kilometres.Today, La Sportiva products are seen on the feet of some of the best runners in the worldand continue to be distinguished by their high level of innovation and unequalled performance.Whether it’s muddy and uneven ground, uphill running on hard terrain or marathons thatlast for days, for each challenge we have a specific product. All you have to do is run.ULTRA RAPTORNeutral, stable, all terrain shoe with a forefootrock guard and an ultra sticky rubber outsolegeared towards all-day, long distance protection.Drop: 8mmWeight: 686g per pairALL GROUNDSFRICTION XFINJECTEDMIDSOLEHIGHVOLUMEFind out all the latest news about events, training, our team and more at mountainrunning.com.au36For your closest stockist contact Expedition Equipment sales@expeditionequipment.com.au 02 9417 5755 expeditionequipment.com.au
Running your first ‘miler’ – 100 miles being the traditionalultra trail pinnacle – is a big undertaking.Most people start with ‘easy’ milers (knowing thereis no such thing): events with less elevation gain,milder climates and less technical trails. But Tegyn Angeldoesn’t do things the easy way. Instead, he took onthe Northburn 100 in New Zealand, regardedas one of, if not the toughest, miler Down Under(with an elevation gain approaching that of Everest).Words > Tegyn Angel * Images > Tegyn Angel / Lyndon Marceau www.marceauphotography.com3839
Going into my first milerIn trying to compose my thoughts on the NB100, I’ve decided that Joyis paramount to the completion of something like this race. Thinkingmore about that, I know from experience that you can finish an ultrawithout any joy whatsoever. But I think it’s important to distinguishbetween finishing and completing a run or race. The former issimply getting to the finish line, a potentially hollow and unsatisfyingexperience, while the latter carries a certain weight of expectation andpremeditated objective. For the sake of this definition, completing arace clearly involves finishing, but just finishing can fail to satisfy theholistic, broader goals a runner sets themselves; goals such as enjoyingthe mountains and wildness, spending time with friends, pittingyourself against hardship and adversity or setting a PB and so forth.Having worked my way up in distance, 100 miles seemed like the logicalnext step from a 100km. Of course I wanted a miler on my CV,but far more than just crossing a finish line 60km further down theroad I sought another level of challenge. I was after an adventure andchallenge described as a Mountain Ultra and a course respected for itsarduous climbs, unrelenting descents and wild weather. Lookingback on the races I’ve most enjoyed, TNF100 (NSW), Razorback(Victoria) and Cradle (Tasmania) all stand out in my memorydue to their elevation gains, spectacular scenery and their (sense)of wildness. In contrast, those that I’ve found more difficult orless enjoyable have been flat, fast and not technically challenging.Going in to NB100 I declared as loudly as I could, and to anyonethat would listen, “I’ll just be happy to finish it!” this cry adisclaimer of sorts to smooth the way for any horribly slowtime I might clock up or, God forbid, the possibility of a DNF.Fortunately, the NB100 was a gentle teacher, reminding methat there was far more to my goal of completing it than justa Finisher’s Buckle. More even than Cradle, with its tiny field,remote location, cult status and secretive bus trip, the NB100was an adventure in the truest sense of the word: An unusualand exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity,especially the exploration of unknown territory.In the month or so between finishing the Northburn 100(NB100) miler and writing this article I’ve become steadilymore cognisant of just how much this race has affectedme. It’s left me feeling content. “Complete” sounds likea toss, but normally my mind jumps violently into thefuture, jerking me along with it, rarely satisfied with thepresent, more likely to plan two, three, four races ahead,running away with itself, branching off on obtuse tangentswith only the faintest thread of continuity or thematiccongruence. And yet I now feel unusually satisfied.As if the 2kg Belt Buckle were a magical talisman hidingme from the blood-red eyes and filthy claws of FOMO(fear of missing out), self-deprecation and a barelyunderstood need to push myself. I remember feeling thesame way after travelling through India for the first time.41
Running my first milerStanding at the start line, I think I’d stressed and worried myself intorelaxation. I wasn’t quite as clear as I am now about my reasons forrunning it, but I felt the hard work was done and all I had to do nowwas put one foot in front of the other and find a way to enjoy the 30+hours. I knew from a busy year of running that I didn’t want to enterany more flat races (anything less than about 1/25 fraction of gain/distance e.g. 4km gain over 100km). No doubt about it, hills andtechnical trails are where my heart is so my heart was definitely in it.Northburn is not overly technical and in Australia wouldprobably be called a Fire Trail Slog. The vast majority of thecourse follows high country sheep station tracks wide enoughfor a vehicle and very clearly defined. The few short sectionsof single- or off-track travel are wide, open and clearly marked.There’s hardly a whiff of vegetation above waist-high.Yet the hills are enough to cleave your face in two with sheer ecstaticcelebration. Over 160km it felt like there might have been 4km ofterrain that could be called “flat”, and this was in the dark during thefirst 5km lap and then again at about 46km, where on a scorching daythey had us run through a bloody vineyard. Cheers Terry (Davis, RaceDirector) – nice way to rub in the fact that you’ve got 110km to go.The official stats claim 8000+ metres of elevation gain (and thereforeanother 8000 metres of loss) but I’ve no doubt that’s a conservativefigure. There’s no respite from it. On the tops we were literally blownoff course (and nearly off our feet), having to lean into the wind andeddy each other to keep upright. At the high checkpoint, knownsimply as TW, we were ushered into horse trailers to escape the wind.The gale-force gusts would rock and shake these like a Bunningsshed in a tornado, then off we’d go again, no choice but to laughmanically at the lunacy of what we were doing. While we escapedthe snow on this outing, the breezy tops made up for it. I got to seetwo sunrises and a sunset over Northburn and Lake Dunstan and,as with the elevation profile, the raw beauty of this stark, desolateenvironment should not be underestimated.In some ways I found the NB100 easier than expected. I didn’tpull up with the normal soreness I’d experienced on Cradleor the Blue Mountains races. Perhaps it was the lack of runninginvolved? I had my nutrition (mostly) dialled and with oneshort exception didn’t really experience any great mental lows.That said, I experienced something new to me – an overwhelming,insurmountable need to sleep.Coming out of the 100km mark I felt fantastic. The legs werepumping smoothly, I had no pain and I was positive I could finish.Even the fact that my head torch died at the 97km mark only servedto buoy my good humour.Four kilometres later, my Risk Management Alarm was screaming atme, yelling that if I didn’t stop I’d most likely sleepwalk off a cliff.How ridiculous! The rest of my body felt fresher than it did at thestart line and here I was unable to keep my eyes open.43
“Like an angel,a roving marshal camebumbling up the hillbehind me on aquad bike, bathingme in heavenly light”I figured I could probably make it to the next checkpoint and plannedto take a quick nap there. What happened next probably saved my race.Like an angel, a roving marshal came bumbling up the hill behindme on a Quad Bike, bathing me a heavenly light. He rode next to mefor the next 45mins or so, talking to me, lighting the trail in frontof me, letting me set the pace and refusing my offers to go ahead.It was probably 2 or 3am at this point and while I know it may havebeen his job as a course marshal to help ensure the safety of participants,he clearly went well beyond the call of duty. I can’t but extend mydeepest gratitude. After 20mins sleep at the next checkpoint I continuedon, awake and functioning well until about half an hour beforearriving at TW again. I stopped for 2-3 hours all up, trying to getsome more sleep and wait out the last few hours of darkness. In mystupor I figured that if I could hang out and keep my muscles fromseizing until dawn that I’d be hot to trot.With the rising sun I put on everything I owned and headed out intothe tempest. The last 30km or so was clearly the most horrendous.With a nasty out and back leg and a roller-coaster-like section thatkept a reasonable elevation but which snaked in and out of countlesstributaries, I felt a little bit like Sisyphus, pushing the stone of myfatigue up a gulley only to have it roll back out again for all eternity.With the exception of the first 5km, this is the only part of the coursethat felt a little contrived; as if while putting it together the coursedesigner was enduring the frustration of raising a teenage daughterand decided to take it out on the participants. Fortunately the Godsrelented and let me cross the finish line in about 34 hours 10 minutes.44 45
Where to now?It wasn’t until 2007 or thereabouts that I started to seriously considerI might one day be a runner. It started with impatience. Coming froma background of trekking and playing in the mountains I started to feelwalking with a heavy pack was too slow, so I started to lighten my loadsand walk further, faster. I started running not because I had any interestin races but because I wanted to see the Worlds Beautiful Places fasterand under my own power. Somehow in the four years since, races havebecome a huge part of my running.Logistically this makes sense to me. Organised trail ultras generallyallow a runner to get out and experience some amazing trails relaxed inthe knowledge that checkpoints, food, water, safety measures and trailmarkings are in place. A latent competitiveness also rears its quirkyhead at the strangest times and I get an odd little thrill inspiration whena non-(ultra) runner tells me I’m crazy for running ultra distances.Socially it makes sense to me. Organised events are a melting pot oflike-minded people, all putting time aside to show up and run thesame trail at the same time and enjoy a day (or more) out with friends.Additionally, I’ve been amazed at how warm and welcoming the trailand ultra cultures are, full of amazing people, from new runners tolong-time professionals who are all willing to have a chat, enjoy alaugh and share a moment.Philosophically, however, I feel uneasy. Perhaps it’s a matter of timing;coming into the NB100 I’d already spent six weeks experiencing the bestNZ has to offer with a great bunch of people and spent time with family.I’d done half a dozen amazing mountain runs and I’d started to feela move away from the racetrack and into the mountains was inorder. I’m tempted to think that the NB100 was simply the rightexperience at the right time, but it deserves more credit than that.The idea is hardly a new one. In 1933 Chief of the Oglala Sioux(Lakota), Luther Standing Bear spoke on behalf of the innumerablegenerations lost to time and yet to come when he declared:We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, andwinding streams with tangled growth, as “wild.” Only to the white manwas nature a “wilderness” and only to him was the land “infested” with“wild” animals and “savage” people. To us it was tame. Earth was bountifuland we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery.In the running-cult bible Born to Run, Christopher McDougalltalks of the sense of freedom and connection that make theTarahumara such incredible athletes. It seems he is arguing that,rather than “going out for a run”, the Tarahumara are simplyexisting as they always have, neither defining a fixed periodof time or distance after which they’ll “go back to their normal[non-running] life”, nor seeing their feats as anythingwarranting comment.In the early 1980s, John Annerino introduced the world to hisidea of “Running Wild”, a topic he discusses at length in a bookby the same name. Between 1980 and 1982 Annerino completedthree ultra-distance running epics through the Grand Canyonand later went on to run 750miles of Arizona wilderness from theMexican border through the Sonoran Desert to Utah. Fast-forward30 years and within the (now) professional world of ultra and trailrunning, and we’re seeing a similar philosophical trend. WithKilian Jornet’s “Summits of my Life”, Antony Krupicka’s FKTmissions and Richard Bowles and Jez Bragg doing amazing things inthe Antipodes,it’s hard not to get your own crazy ideas.Admittedly, 100 miles at Northburn is a long way from runningAustralia’s Bicentennial National Trail (Bowles) or crossingthe Pyrenees in a week (Jornet), but I’d humbly argue that theyshare something in common: a wild and starkly manifest rawness.As I remember the reasons I started running in the first place,I’m confident that completing Northburn – not just finishing it –has renewed my appreciation for wild adventure and given mea sense of clarity I could scarcely have found in any other organisedevent in this part of the world. I can’t wait to see what’s next *Tegyn Angel is a regular contributor toTrail Run Mag and has his own wilderness adventure blog at >www.wildplans.comCheck in for 2014 Northburn 100 at >www.northburn100.co.nz47
In a particular corner of the world there existshundreds of kilometres of singltrackonly a stone’s throw away from the frontdoorstep of what has become a vibrant communityof trail junkies. Believe it or not, that placeis one of the most densely populatedconcrete jungles on the planet: Hong Kong.4849
Words > Lloyd Belcher + Rachel JacquelineImages > Lloyd Belcher www.lloydbelchervisuals.photoshelter.comAlthough best known for it’s iconic skyline, casting your eyes above HongKong island’s sprawling mass of buildings you’ll notice a less advertisedtourist attraction: a green halo hovering above the city.Across the harbor, on Kowloon side, rolling peaks weave their way abovethe cement horizon. Making up a surprising forty percent of Hong Kong’slandmass, these green refuges are intersected with established trails and,to those in the know, are the city’s best-kept secret.“Hong Kong is a blessed place, I believe,” remarks accomplished Hong Kongtrail runner, Ida Lee. “We live in one of the world’s busiest metropolis,yet about three-quarters of our area is countryside,” she says.But the best part is that a thriving city – full of opportunity – co-exists so closelywith remote trails and some of the best scenery Mother Earth has to offer.“What I love about Hong Kong is the proximity of the trails,” explains MartijnDoekes, a Hong Kong resident originally from the Netherlands. While somecan’t wait to race to the bars or down a hot plate of noodles after work, Doekescan’t wait to put on his trail running shoes and a headlamp and run twentyminutes uphill run to, Parkview, a residential estate which marks the gatewayto Hong Kong’s urban trail running mecca.“It calms you down to get out of the city and into nature,” explains the 39-yearoldbanker of his unusual after-work activity choice. Discovering Hong Kongtrails saved the freshly divorced, then overweight, thirty-something bankerfrom the pull of Hong Kong’s nightlife when he moved there three years ago.The strong community of runners that the trails gather – amongst Doekes’closest friends – are what make the pastime not just a sport, but a lifestyle.From Parkivew, Doekes has access to two main trails: the Hong Kong trail, a50-kilometre stretch with 2000-metres of positive elevation that circumnavigatesthe island, and the Wilson trail, a 78-kilometre hilly trail of 4800 metres ofpositive elevation which cuts through Hong Kong, crosses the harbor andcontinues up the guts of the New Territories. There are also a handful of othercountry trails that intersect throughout lush and hilly innards of Hong KongIsland and extend to the beaches of the south. Doekes is spoilt for choice.He is also not alone. The sport is booming in the city amongst expats andlocal Hong Kongers alike. Homegrown trail runner, Sofree Tam, used tobe an orienteer racer but picked up trail running as a way to strengthen herendurance. Since falling in love with the trails, 38 year-old Tam has competedin almost every local race and believes the sport has a strong future, despitethe long hours the global city’s work culture demands and the tendency oflocals to overindulge, rather than over-train.“It’s very exciting – not only are people getting faster and more competitiveI think, but there’s likely to be even more people participating,” says Tam,who works as a pharmacist.50
“Trailwalker began in 1981 as a training exercisefor the nepalese gurkha soldiers…Thirty-one years on, the hong Kong eventhas spawned 15 trailwalkerevents in 12 different countries”Her pick of trail running is in Hong Kong’s New Territories,which offers higher peaks, some beautiful bamboo forests,breathtaking views of untouched beaches and much longer trailsthan those found on the island. Though an increasing numberof the trails are being cemented for “safety reasons” by thelocal parks department, places like the Pat Sin Leng rangeoffer untouched earthen trails and are Tam’s favourite.The New Territories is home to the well-known 100-kilometer“MacLehose” trail, part of the Wilson Trail. It is also where thelegendary Oxfam Trailwalker – a 100-kilometre team of fourfootrace through some of Hong Kong’s most gruelling terrain –is staged each year. Trailwalker began in 1981 as a training exercisefor the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers, opening to the public five yearslater to raise funds for Oxfam. Thirty-one years on, the HongKong event has spawned 15 Trailwalker events in 12 differentcountries, raising US$18 million for Oxfam’s plight to end poverty.Given the popularity of the race and the constrains of having torun as a team, keen trailrunners Steve Brammar and Janet Ngdecided to craft Hong Kong’s first solo ultra marathon in 2010based around the famous course, but with some diversions.Featuring more runnable terrain, but still a hefty 4500-metresof elevation gain, the popular course finishes with a descent fromHong Kong’s highest peak (Tai Mo Shan, 957m). The couple’sbrave move in establishing the race has paid off: in three yearsthe number of entrants has tripled, with 1200 runners from 30countries taking part in 2013, and the event has been graced byseveral international running sensations, including Ryan Sandes.Meanwhile HKTrailrunner blogger, Nic Tinworth believesLantau Island, home to Hong Kong’s five highest peaks,holds the best of the city’s trail running.“I think the Lantau Trail has to be my favorite, simply for its range,variation of trail and remoteness.”Though Tinworth, originally from the UK, grew up in Hong Kongand took part on cross country races over the trails in high school,it wasn’t until returning back to his childhood home several yearslater that he remembered the joy of them.“I hooked up with running clubs when I moved back to rediscoverthe trails as more of a social thing,” he says. “But the more I ran onthem, the more I ventured out to discover new ones on my own.”The highlight for the competitive-natured Brit is when trailrunning racing season is in full swing during the months ofOctober through to March. During the 2012 to 2013 season hetook part in 12 races. The problem he faces next year is choosingamongst all the different races – as well as the new ones on offer.Kicking off the season each year is the Lantau Twin Peaks Racein early October, incorrectly named as it actually covers three ofLantau’s toughest peaks and involves a whopping elevation gain of1623-metres over a mere 21 kilometres. Also on Lantau a few weekslater is the Barclays Moontrekker, starting at night and challengingrunners to tackle a half marathon or full marathon distance on thetrails before the sun rises.November and December brings two team events: the Trailwalkerand the Raleigh Challenge, a 78-kilometre team race (which canbe doubled back to make a 156kilometre race) across the entireWilson Trail. The new year brings solo challenges the Hong Kong100 and the Lantau50/Lantau100 - a stunning race held in thesouth of Lantau island, which is run over 90% on trails and offers themost vertical of any of Hong Kong’s races. Although it offers somestunning views, it’s full of sustained climbs and fast technical descents.53
But the feature of Hong Kong’s competitive trail running season is theKing of the Hill series (KOTH).KOTH is one of Hong Kong’s – and arguably Asia’s – longest running trailrunning series. Organised by local trail running legend, Keith Noyes, thereare four races to the series – in the north, south, east and west of Hong Kong.There are “half marathon” and “marathon” type distances, attractingaround 500 of the local and expat community fighting it out to be named“King” and “Queen” of Hong Kong’s hills.New to the calendar this year is TheNorthFace 100. It will be Hong Kong’sthird 100-kilometre race and will strongly cement Hong Kong on theAsian trail running map. It will also create a headache for local runnerswho will have to pick between old favourites, chasing demons on past racesand new opportunities.“There are just too many runs to chose from,” laments Tinworth. During2012 at least five new races were added to the trail running calendar; in 2013that number almost doubled, with the introduction of the MSIG 50-kilometrerace series (three races on Lantau, Hong Kong and in the New Territories),the Lantau100 race, Salomon’s ToTheTop challenge and local trail runningstore, Lantau Base Camp, adding more home grown races as well. The Princeand Princesses of the trails, a short trail course for junior runners, has alsoopened up Hong Kong’s trail running to the next generation of runners.“The trail running scene has grown massively over the past few years, hencethe demand for more races,” explains 39 year-old Tinworth, a creativedirector at a local digital marketing agency.“When I first started running the trails, very rarely would I see other runnerson them. Now it’s the opposite. Very rarely do I run without seeing otherrunners – and chances are I know them, too.”But it hasn’t always been this way. According KOTH’s race director Noyes,Hong Kong’s trail running history began in 1989 with the ‘Three MountainMarathon’ hiking series, KOTH’s predecessor. A hiking race, only a handfulor participants elected to run the course each year. Noyes, a runner, tookover the event in 1998 and renamed it the ‘King of the Hills’. Since, thenumber of participants has increased and the race has transformed intoa hallmark of Hong Kong’s trail running scene.5455
21 SeptemberAngleseA VictoriASOLO OR ReLay TeaMSA spectacular 100km trail run beside toweringsea cliffs, along remote ocean beaches andthrough the captivating wildflower hinterlandwhere no two footsteps will be the same.So what is it about the lengthy, strenuous and time-consumingnature of trail running that draws Hong Kongers like a magnet?Felix Shum, director of Xtraventure Training and Events (XTE)who holds several trail and adventure races each year considersthat Hong Kongers are embracing trail running as a way to“get away from home and work and enjoy nature”. Noyes adds:“It’s a great way for Hong Kongers to take their mind off theeveryday stress of living in the city and get a great endorphin buzz.”But in Hong Kong’s concrete, sometimes lonely jungle,trail running is a way to become part of a growing communitywith similar interests in the outdoors.“For me, the best part of Hong Kong is the community of trailrunners,” says Doekes. Lee, who met her talented trail runninghusband Chor Kin Law on the trails, couldn’t agree more.“Everyone is nice, shares the joys of the trails and helps each other,”adds Tam. “Look at the Vibram Hong Kong 100 – there arelots of eager runners and happy volunteers. Although sometimeswe have communication problems, all things can be settled byjust wearing your trail running shoes and stepping on the trail.” *Hong Kong Trail Events >Lantau Twin Peaks Race > www.actionasiaevents.comBarclays Moontrekker > www.barclaysmoontrekker.comVibram Hong Kong 100 > www.hk100-ultra.comLantau50/Lantau100 > www.lantau50.comKing of the Hill series > www.seyonasia.comMSIG 50-kilometre race > www.actionasiaevents.comLantau Base Camp Events > www.lantaubasecamp.comSalomon’s ToTheTop challengeXTE Events > www.xterace.comThe Prince and Princesses of the trails >www.lantaubasecamp.comTheNorthFace 100 >www.thenorthface100.com/races.htmlRaleigh Challenge >www.raleigh.org.hk/wilsontrail/index_en.phpwww.surfcoastcentury.com.auPut yourself in the picture(s) in 2013
Springing from the unlikely trail hotspotof Hong Kong, one man has createdan ultra challenge like no other.Meet Andre Blumberg, the inspirationbehind the Hong Kong Four TrailsUltra Challenge and a leading lightof the South East Asian trail scene.5859
Words > Rachel JacquelineImages > Patchanida Pongsubkarun and Lloyd Belcherwww.lloydbelchervisuals.photoshelter.comIt’s 4.30am and Andre Blumberg wrestles with his alarm clock.With eyes still full of sleep, he grabs his hydration pack beforeheading out onto Hong Kong’s dark streets for his daily run;not a quick jaunt, but a two-hour sojourn up into the city’s trailsin which he will cover a half marathon distance while Hong Kongsleeps. It’s a warm-up for the triple marathon distance he will runduring the weekend and a stroll in comparison to the multiple ultramarathons he will complete this year.Meet Hong Kong’s ultra marathon man. He doesn’t know how farhe ran last year: “about 6,000 kilometres,” he shrugs, an averageof 16 kilometres a day. This year the 43 year-old, originally fromGermany though a Hong Kong resident for 11 years, estimates hehas already clocked 1800 kilometres. This was in May.In February, over the Chinese New Year holiday, Blumberg leda small, dedicated group of Hong Kongers and one Singaporean overall four of the region’s ultra trails: Lantau, Wilson, MacLehose andthe Hong Kong trail – a total of 298 kilometres and 14,400 metresin cumulative elevation over three days.The Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge or HK4TUCas the event is called, has its roots in Blumberg’s first solo journeyacross the four trails in four days back in 2012. Frustrated with thelack of multi-day ultra running events in his city, he experimentedwith the fully self-supported ‘HK 4in4’.“The challenge sounded monumental to start with.Each of the four trails, especially given the elevation changes,is a fairly decent effort in its own right.”“I probably only managed three to four hours sleep each night, butfelt strong and motivated each morning for what was ahead thatday. Nobody thought it could be done and I proved it is possible,”he says with self-effacing modesty.A man of extremes, Blumberg made the challenge more difficultthis year by shortening it to three days, increasing the dailydistance and elevation and setting a 64-hour cut off. He alsoinvited others to take part in what is, he points out, “not a race,but a personal challenge”. No race bibs, no finishers’ medalsand no time recording. All fifty-odd hours of running – believeit or not – for fun. Within weeks, the HK4TUC Facebook pagehad over 1000 ‘likes’ from around the world. Five brave soulsattempted the challenge.“Some people will always chase for races, but some will reach aninflection point where they decide to run just for the fun of it,” saysBlumberg. Next year the race will be set in reverse and participantsmust complete the challenge non-stop in under 60 hours.Not content with standing still, over ten weeks starting at the end ofJune, Blumberg will head to the United States four times to competein the Grand Slam of ultra trail running: the Western States 100Mile Endurance Run, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run,the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run and the Wasatch Front 100 MileEndurance Run. That’s 640 kilometres or just over 15 marathons –more than most would do in a lifetime.“The GS100 has taken place since 1986, yet only 266 peoplehave finished it. In the same time more than 8,000 people havesummitted Mount Everest,” he explains. Drawn to the extremedifficulty of the challenge and the odds of non-completion - DNFrates being between 30% to 70% DNF – Blumberg will be the onlyinternational participant this year not living in the USA or Canada.“It’s the Oscars of ultra running,” he adds with a wry smile.It’s quite a feat for someone who only took up running three yearsago. In fact, Blumberg is not a pro-athlete, but a salvaged victimof the indulgent Asian expat lifestyle where he spent his mid tolate thirties focusing on his career and enjoying the good life ofclubbing and Sunday champagne brunches. Weighing a “grosslyobese” 103 kilograms for his 176cm height frame and on the slowslide to 40, he sought a change.6061
For a while, Blumberg wasn’t sure exactly what change he was after.He contemplated affairs, a new sports car. But then he read aboutultra endurance athlete Rich Roll, a vegan triathlete.“Rich’s story had quite a few similarities to mine. He turned his lifearound from a sedentary, career-focused person to one of the fittestguys on the planet,” he explains. “It is fair to say he inspired me.”Within six months Blumberg had shed 32 kilograms. He went onnumerous detox retreats in Thailand. He stopped drinking andwent cold turkey and radically overhauled his diet. Then he beganrunning. Just how far he has come in three years has been a surprise.“I started running as it’s simple, but eventually my runningdistances grew longer and longer,” he explains. He ran his firstultra marathon, a 64-kilometre race around Hong Kong islandin 2010, only four months after he started running. Six monthslater, he ran his first 100k at the TNF100 Singapore and finishedthird. “I was hooked,” he says.“To me running is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle.”Since making the change he has altered his eating habitsdramatically, becoming almost vegan, and rarely drinks alcohol.Above all, it’s a relaxing way to unwind in an unforgiving city,says the busy IT Director at a regional power utility.But why such extreme challenges, that go beyond the standard ultra?“Because the trails are there,” explains Blumberg witha Mallory-esque resonance.Events like the HK4TUC are also a way to share his love forthe trails with others.“The idea is to get a community of like-minded ultra trail runnerstogether and to enjoy the outdoors,” he adds,before admitting: “It’s certainly not for everyone.”There are detractors to Blumberg’s new lifestyle. Sports physiologistat the Institute of Human Performance at the University ofHong Kong Duncan Macfarlane believes running such extremedistances goes beyond being healthy and may be increasing the riskof damage to the body.“It goes so far beyond what the body is designed to do,” he cautions.Of Blumberg’s recent HK4TUC feat, Macfarlane cites dehydration,bio-mechanical injuries, strains and inflammation from persistentpounding, metabolic stress from trying to retain sufficient energyand electrolytes as well as significant destruction of red blood cellsfrom “foot strike hemolysis” which may cause anemia as potentialrisks. We didn’t dare ask the disapproving scientist what he wouldthink of Blumberg’s Grand Slam attempt.6263
This is theadfor the guyswho makekIck-Gssads & design.Like for instance, this magazine.www.the bird collective.com.auWhile Blumberg is the first to admit his running isn’t alwaysentirely sensible, for him it’s just the beginning. His futureplans include running the 320-kilometre Wibolt along Germany’sRheinsteig and the Badwater series: three 135 miles races inBrazil, Arrowhead (US) and the famous desert race, Badwater(US), all within one calendar year.“These races and other plans should keep me busy for thenext four to five years during which time, no doubt, a dozennew amazing races will pop up that end up in the bucket list.”Above and beyond the physicality of running is the mentalchallenge and preparation required for the detailed Blumberg.“If you do races of only 10-kilometre distance, you can do a raceevery weekend. If you run 100-mile races then you probablycan only do three to five a year. To me it’s important to plan myrace in advance, and it goes beyond the training aspect.”Check out Blumberg’s Hong Kong 4-trails Ultra Challenge atBlumberg is known to meticulously study course maps, elevationprofiles, checkpoints and distances between them. His excelspreadsheets with embedded calculations (used to prepare for races)are valued commodities in the local trail running community, wherehe is revered for his knowledge, experience and passion. Though herarely competes in local races these days - “they’re too short for me”- Blumberg can always be seen on the sidelines, cheering on fellowrunners with a noisy cowbell.Though his feats may seem beyond what’s physically possible,Blumberg assures the true battles of his crazy endeavors liein the mind.“Provided you have basic fitness, running ultras is more a mentalchallenge than a question of fitness,” he says. “Running anultra marathon is not about going fast; it is about not slowingdown for a very long time.”www.HK4TUC.comThe designers of Trail Run could design your ads. Something to ponder on your next 40k run.64 65
HimalayanHOTSPOTKilian Jornet wasn’t the onlybloke on the planet born high ina mountain range and blessedwith prodigious trail talent.There are people born in theHimalayas every day, you know...some of them choose to run.Upendra Sunuwar is just one.Words> Luke TyburskiImages> Luke Tyburski,Richard Bull, George Chong6667
When people think of Nepal, it’s the almighty mountains andEverest in particular that first come to mind. And if promptedon any form of Nepali athleticism of note, it’ll be the Sherpamountaineers paid their due respects. But try to think of othersports for which Nepalis are renowned. Nothing spring to mind?It’s a mental blank that may soon be filled by local runners.Amid peaks soaring to the earth’s greatest heights, and valley terrainetched with singletrack hosting thousands of trekker tourists at a snail’space, there is a new wave of athlete surging along: the Nepali trail runner.These phenomenally gifted runners, some of whom were born andstill live 3000m above sea level, represent a tiny portion of Nepaliathletes. You may never have heard of runners from Nepal, let aloneworld-class trail runners, because running is not a popular pasttime for the majority of this scenic country’s people. Indeed, theystruggle for international exposure or recognition of their talent.It hasn’t helped that up until recent times the Nepali’s didn’t evenhave a word for “marathon” in their language (let alone ultra trailrunner). Most locals think people who run are mad. The act ofrunning is, it seems, even missing from their instinct for survival.Witness the oncoming bus pummeling along dirt roads andthe Nepalis who saunter casually across the road in front of it.They won’t even break into a trot to avoid violent death speedingtoward them. No, running’s not a Nepalese ‘thing’.Despite this, trail running is on the increase in Nepal, with severalexpat westerners helping locals set up some of the most grueling,but stunning ultra trail marathons in the world. The likes of theManaslu Trail Race, the Annapurna 100, and the Everest Ultra arejust a few of these magnificent races. Athletes run alongside the aweinspiringHimalayas and over courses that give new meaning to theidea of ‘technical trail’. And then there is the lung-biting altitude.One Nepali trail runner with copious amounts of raw talentis Upendra Sunuwar, a mountain guide by occupational title,but ultra trail runner by passion. Upendra is one of the newbreed of Nepali runners, only taking up the sport three yearsago because he “wanted to give it a go”.A man of hardy work ethic, he initially approached several coachesand trainers but was told at the age of 23 that he was “too old” tobe coached unless he trained full time. Unfortunately, like most inpoverty-cast Nepal, Upendra still needs to work in order to supporthimself and his parents. So he watched other runners and startedmimicking their style, applying it to his own running, alone,on trail, without benefit of the feedback of consistent coaching.With raw talent, determination, and the physiological gift ofa childhood spent living higher than 2000m above sea levelwith not a flat (or straight) road in sight, he has become one ofthe leading lights of trail running in Nepal.In a short time he has achieved staggering results: 3rd in theAnnapurna 100k, 1st Manaslu Mountain Race (8 stages, 212kmrace), and 1st Everest 65k Ultra. He recently accompaniedLizzie Hawker, North Face-sponsored, National GeographicAdventurer of the Year and five-time UTMB British trail runner,for a large portion of her record-breaking 319km run fromEverest Base Camp to Kathmandu (which she completed in63 hours, 8 minutes); not bad for someone who describeshimself as a “not so good, not so bad runner”.Upendra simply goes about his training between mountainguiding jobs, amassing anywhere between 200-250kms over sixdays. When he is not training, he works hard guiding, carrying upto 50kgs of gear, at times knee-deep in snow, up any number ofHimalayan mountains to altitudes of 6000m above sea level.Staying with Upendra in his village, we would set out at 6am fora daily run. He would be armed with nothing but his shoes, shorts,shirt, and an ancient Garmin GPS watch. He planned our routeknowing where mountain hut shops were to buy water, biscuits, blacktea, and buffalo milk for fuel along the way. After a quick pitstop torefuel, we would be back on uneven, twisted trails surrounding hisvillage in the Sindhuli region, in central Nepal.On several training runs, he would dash off ahead up the jagged andcontorted hills, leaving me to somehow salve my burning legs, lungs,and gasping for air at between 2500-3000 metres above sea level.Just when I would think I was all alone to battle another relentless,demoralising climb, Upendra would appear, patiently waiting witha smile on his weathered face.Reaching a peak boasting stunning panoramic mountain views,he would leave me, bouncing off ahead back down the mountainfrom rock to rock at lightning speeds, his legs whirring at speedsthat made me think of the cartoon character ‘Road Runner’,darting ahead to always outfox the slower, clunkier, Coyote,in this case perfectly analogous to my running.Returning to his modest, mud and stone, straw-roofed family homewe were always greeted with a look of curiosity and disbelief from thevillagers. Living high up in the mountains tucked away from the “city life”of Kathmandu, they are steadfast in their thoughts on someone runningup and down colossal hills: “Crazy people,” they would say, and “Whywaste your energy?” would be the consistent line of questioning. But toUpendra it isn’t wasting energy, rather it is harnessing energy for hisnext race; for his next rendezvous with another mountain runningexperience, and hopefully a chance to impress potential sponsors.Upendra has given up explaining to his countryman: they willnever understand and he is happy to be regarded as the town crazy.6869
Despite their privations, Upendra’s mother and father remain eternallycheerful and supportive of their son’s passion, even if it is seen as at oddswith Nepali traditional culture. They have a small potato and spinachfarm at the front of their house, which they use to barter for other foodand necessities within their village. Their house is extremely primitiveand as the first westerner to step foot inside their humble abode,I was welcomed and treated (although slightly embarrassing) like royalty.The dwelling they call home consists of a single room on the groundfloor, featuring a hole to the side for a cooking fire, a wooden plankbed for Upendra’s parents, and a scattering of stools for guests to sit on.Upstairs is for storage, and adjacent is a barn where Upendra and I sleepalongside the animals.One of the many reasons why the sprinkling of Nepalese trail runnersgoing around can run like they do is diet: home cooked organic food,consisting majorly of dal baht - cooked rice (baht) and lentil (dal) soup.This national dish can be accompanied with bok choy, potato curry,tomato relish, and occasionally some meat (usually chicken/mutton/fish).Running between 3-6 hours a day will increase anyone’s appetite,and with endless rice being the one thing most Nepali families canaccess, it remains the staple daily intake for Nepali runners.Eating, he admits, is one of Upendra’s favourite things alongside running.Most mornings I would find this brilliant runner making bread beforeheading out onto the trails. This in itself is unusual as it is rare thata Nepali male cooks, the chore usually reserved for women, as iscustomary in Nepal. But Upendra is relatively well-travelled withinNepal through his guiding and racing, and having had more exposureto western influences, he has adopted different ways to the stereotypicalNepali males when it suits. And cooking more food to energise hisrunning suits him just fine.at Manaslu,Upendra beatLizzie Hawker, andbarely brokea sweat doing so.7071
Backed only by thelittle money he makesguiding, his hopesremain dreams for now.Upendra speaks of one day seeing other parts of the world andcompeting in some of the toughest races which to date he has onlyheard about through foreign trail runners met in the Nepal events.It’s almost a tease: he knows of the UTMBs, the Hardrocks, theTaraweras, but can only dream of what their trails are really like,and if he could actually match it with the world’s best in competition.Yet, bound by a life lived not in abject poverty (there arecertainly poorer in Nepal than Upendra), but definitely onthe breadline backed only by the little money he makes guiding,his hopes remain dreams for now.There are no sponsors in Nepal, no money offered by theNepali government to harness these talented and gifted athletes.The majority of the world - bar those who have trail run inNepal - does not know of these extraordinary people.Remember this: in the Manaslu Trail Run event, Upendra beatLizzie Hawker, and barely broke a sweat doing so. Self taught,self trained athletes like Upendra could achieve phenomenalthings if they were given the opportunities to work with realcoaches, in a training camp environment, and race against someof the top trail runners in the world, instead of having to worryabout where their next paid job is going to come from in orderto support themselves and their families.There is hope: in the last 2-3 years there has been a handfulof Nepali runners who have travelled abroad. Runners includingAite Tamang and Sudip Kulung have been lucky enough toparticipate in several ultra marathon trail races includingThe Vibram 100 in Hong Kong, the Mt Kinabalu Climbathonin Malaysia, and Aite is set to compete in the Ultra Trail MontBlanc in Chamonix France.Having these athletes compete in international races - Aitenotably finishing on the podium several times - has raisedsome awareness of Nepali trail runners. The worldwide trailrunning community is realising that these exotic athletes havegigantic spirit; they fight hard on trail; they ooze naturalunharnessed talent; and they have a thirst for success.Aite has already registered amazing results, winning theAnnapurna 100, and placing 2nd to Kilian Jornet andRyan Sandes in different races in Malaysia and Hong Kongrespectively. Coming second to two of the biggest names in thesport who train full time with a team of people behind them?Imagine the potential.But how do Upendra and other Nepali runners compare toAite, and how would they perform in some of these gruelingtrail races against the crème del a crème of trail runners?It’s hard to say, unless they are on the same trails, on thesame day, but Upendra recently beat Aite, and Sudip inthe Everest 65km Ultra trail race from Gorakshep (5200m)to Lukla (2800m).With limited opportunities, most Nepali runners can onlydream of the day a sponsor shows interest in developing theirpotential – but dream they do, after all, Kilian was oncea nobody. Today, he’s a brand unto himself.But until the television cameras and coaches come calling,the harsh realities of Nepali life, and of being a ultra runner ina country where the sport barely has a heartbeat in terms of localparticipation, will remain difficult and a “uphill battle” forcontinuing success. But then Upendra and his cohorts like theuphills – it’s what he trains on daily.7273
And so he and others will continue to run, “up, up, up, and downdown, down” as Upendra described our running route one day, and dowhatever is needed to be fit, strong and mentally prepared for each andevery start line they step to, local or otherwise.Unfortunately, when work presents itself, whether it’s in the form ofmountain guiding, Nepali Army duties, or anything else that will payfor food for themselves and their families, training slows down to a nearnon-existence. It’s hardly ideal preparation for any top class athlete, butthese are the sacrifices and difficult life choices Nepali trail runners face.So for Upendra, Aite, Sudip and Co., they can only forge ahead andcontinue to race each race, most of the time against each other, like theirlife depends on the respective result. The thing is, at times it truly doeshave a huge impact on not only their running careers, but also the healthand welfare of themselves and their families.Luke Tyburski is a UK-based adventure journalistluketyburski.comTOP FIVE NEPALI TRAIL RUNSManaslu Mountain Trail Race > 9 November 2013 * 212km, 7 daysEverest Skyrace > 18 Oct 2013 * 360km, 11 daysThe Himalaya Ring > March-May 2014 * 2209km, 51-70 daysMustang Trail Race > 23 November -3 December 2013 * 277km, 8 daysGreat Himalaya Trail > April-May 2016 * 1600km, 40+daysInformation and further links to all events can be found at >www.trailrunningnepal.org/events74
In this edited extract from his bookOne Step Beyond, Trail Run Mag’s rovingeditor Mal Law recounts his run alongthe Heaphy Track, part of his defining7in7 Challenge to run New Zealand’sseven Great Walks in seven days.Words > Mal Law * Images > Mead Norton and Mal Law collection7677
78Ahead of me lay the longest Great Walk of them all, theHeaphy Track. The official guide suggests a walking timeof four to six days. We had an absolute maximum of 13 hours.In my mind, the success or failure of the 7in7 Challengerested on getting through uninjured in the time we had.It was pretty much do or die.Being as tired as I was, nothing seemed as easy as it should have.The routine of preparing for a long run in the mountains –taping feet and nipples, applying chafing cream and sunblock,filling water bladders, stowing food, cameras and spare clothing– had become second nature to me by now [having knocked offthree other Great Walks over the past three days], but I was faffingaround in the dark, forgetting things and having to redo otherthings. It took me three attempts just to tie my shoelaces properly.The Heaphy, as well as being the longest of the Great Walks(78.4km), is also the most remote. Getting help if anything wereto happen would be no easy matter, which added to the perceivedenormity of the day ahead.The first 18km is a virtually unbroken climb that took us froman altitude of less than 100 metres to almost 1000 metres.It’s a route that was once surveyed for a road to the West Coastthat never came to pass. The legacy of these long-abandonedplans is a pack track that is well-graded and reasonably wide.It’s not particularly demanding, but it is relentless.Walking at night in thick bush it was hard to gauge progress.Small talk [with Jeff, my running partner for this section]provided distraction from the inevitable physical discomfortsof starting out on my fourth ultra marathon in four days.Our head torches bobbed around hypnotically in frontof us, landing on trees, shrubs and trail at random.I was just thinking how easy it might be to actually fallasleep while walking, when all of a sudden I was stoppedin my tracks by something moving in the beam. I staredin disbelief at the unmistakable outline of a kiwi –the first and only one I have ever seen in the wild.High on this dose of Mother Nature, we continued oursteady climb up the hill. Our first waymark – the AorereShelter – wasn’t until three-quarters of the way up.The clock was ticking, and with the first hints of dawncreeping through the foliage, it was time to up the pace.Beyond the Aorere Shelter there are a series of falsesummits. The mind hears what the body wants to believe,and with the three-hour mark having already come andgone, my body definitely wanted to believe that the topof the hill was just around the next bend. Eventually itwas, and we broke into a run along the final approach tothe Perry Saddle Hut, which stood resplendent beneathhigh peaks, bathed in the soft, early morning sunlightthat was filtering through a layer of cloud.We stopped briefly to fill water bladders and exchangea few words with the hut’s occupants, a group oftrampers who were clearly surprised to see anyonearriving there before they’d even got a billy on forthe first brew of the day.From the hut, the track continues in a series of long downs and shortups, losing around 300 metres of altitude over 7km. It remains a fairlybroad pack track but becomes increasingly rocky – prime ankle-turningstuff for the tired runner.We reached Gouland Downs Hut, still well short of a third of the way,in just over four hours. Clearly, we were struggling to get through withinthe 12 hours planned for, but there was no cause to panic just yet. Not ifI could remain injury free and avoid seizing up completely.Maybe I was distracted by these thoughts, or maybe I was just being clumsy,but not long after I stumbled while stepping onto a bridge that crossedone of the many creeks that dissect the Downs. On fresh legs it wouldhave been an easy fall to save, but not on this day. I took a couple of longstrides, desperately trying to halt my downward momentum, but theywere not enough to prevent me crashing to the deck, scraping my kneeon the chicken wire that was stretched across the wooden planks of thebridge. I lay still for a moment while I took stock of things, realisingthat I’d done no serious damage.With catastrophe averted, we pressed on through a landscape unique tothis remote corner of New Zealand. Its tussock flats and stands of beechforest were reminiscent of other mountain areas, but the difference was inthe limestone bedrock that underpins it all. Every now and again the trackwould cross a limestone arch, the remnant of an old cave system, or crossa deep chasm that had been sculpted out of the rock by water that couldbe heard but not seen. The day was warming up but a high layer of cloudpersistently hung around the higher peaks. I was starting to keep a closeeye on this, knowing that if it dropped too low it would make helicopteraccess to the far end of the track problematic, and so my ability to get tothe next Great Walk trailhead on time near impossible.79
Jeff must have thought that I needed some heightenedentertainment to take my mind off the tiredness andstarted singing his version of Dean Martin’s ‘That’sAmore’, a little ditty he’d composed especially for theoccasion. It went like this:When your energy’s low and there’s 40 to goThat’s the Heaphy.When you’re barely alive on Mal’s fundraising driveThat’s the Heaphy.Aching back, struggling down the track,Quads and calves on fire, situation’s direOn the Heaphy.And your feet are so sore, all because of Mal LawOn the Heaphy.Jeff ’s singing is not much better than his compositionskills, and mine is worse still. But that didn’t stop usbellowing this ‘tune’ at the top of our voices as we ranacross the Gouland Downs. After all, there wasn’tanother human being within miles so far as we could tell.We pushed on towards Saxon Hut and then through asection of bush that led to another, clearer, landscapecomposed mostly of tussock grasses – the MackayDowns. The trail had long since turned to singletrack; largely well made and not too technical. It shouldhave been relatively easy, fast running but my legs werestarting to fail me and my coordination was becomingpoor. I was getting wobbly and my feet were gettingsore. Once again, the pace felt pathetic but it didn’treally matter just so long as we were moving forwardsin the right direction. We still had a bit of time up oursleeves and so long as I didn’t actually fall asleep wewere on target to make the cut-off time for the chopperextraction. I kept on repeating the mantra: RelentlessForward Motion.After six and a half hours we reached James MackayHut – we’d run 42 km to get here, and I was feelingtotally poked. Over the last few kilometres I’d withdrawninto myself, becoming introspective and dwelling onthe pain and tiredness. Jeff was offering great support,keeping up a quiet background chatter of encouragementand making sure that I was eating and drinking, butI just didn’t have the mental energy to interact withhim. Spells such as this are almost inevitable onany long run, but they can be psychologicallydangerous if you allow them to go on too long.Introspection can lead to loss of hope andwith that can go the will to battle on.At such times the physical expressions of the tirednessyou’re feeling are exaggerated – small aches becomeinsufferable pains; and a vicious downward spiralof emotions can lead you into a deep, dark pit.I knew I needed to take a break and refocus mydwindling supplies of energy.For the first time that day I sat down at the side of thetrack. Jeff went off to fill our water bladders from thehut’s tank and I popped some painkillers – the first Ihad taken all week. I did some sums and realised thatthe spot where I sat pretty much marked halfway of the7in7 Challenge, a thought that cheered me up. I triednot to spoil it with the prospect of what lay ahead today:another 36km, or six hours-plus of running.8081
We set off down the mother of all hills – a 700m drop over 12.5km thatwould take us to Lewis Hut and the Heaphy River. Lewis Hut was thefurthest point I’d got to on my training run here. We were now in thedepths of the Heaphy River valley, the tannin-stained waters of whichempty from the highlands we had just spent several hours runningacross. The bush is dark, dense and moody; the trail wet and muddy.We crossed the river on an enormous, wobbly swing bridge andcontinued our run/walk/run routine down its southern side,heading for the still-distant Tasman Sea – the next bite of theelephant. It was sloppy going, the mud frequently spilling over thetops of our shoes. But we cared not; we were making slow but steadyprogress, knocking it off one step at a time while marvelling at thegiant trees that had occupied their allotted spot – custodians of theforest – for hundreds of years.Two more dramatic and rickety swing bridges later, we started to sensethat the valley was opening out. We were closing in on the mouth ofthe river and the mighty Tasman Sea. Now, more than 60 km intothe day, the tiredness and footsoreness were starting to get to meagain but I kept myself going with the thought of making it to thecoast. When eventually we saw the mouth of the river and the surging,crashing waves of the sea colliding with the darker river waters, I feltsomething like I imagine the early pioneers did when they finally hitthe same coast: an overwhelming sense of triumph and achievement.Standing in the sunshine outside Heaphy Hut, looking down onan expanse of almost manicured grass to the river mouth beyond, itwould have seemed perfectly right and proper to pull up a deckchair,crack open a beer and take a long nap. Such enticingthoughts clashed with the brutal reality of oursituation. Despite having been on the go for tenhours we still had another 16km.We were now running south, parallel and close to thesea, whose pounding rhythm of breaking waves provideda soundtrack much more melodious than Jeff’s Amore.It was hot and humid, the atmosphere doing all itcould to suck the last remnants of energy from us.We ran through glades of graceful nikau palms, thesimple beauty of which, combined with the shade theyoffered, cast a happy spell. It was with much regret thatwe had to leave them each time we broke out onto clearersections of trail for short lengths of deep, soft sand.The beaches, stunning as they are, were a cruelnecessity. Picking our way through the mounds ofdriftwood, searching for elusive stretches of hardersand, we made slow progress.Looking around, the weather seemed to be doing funnythings. We’d spent most of the day running under highcloud, while out to sea was clear blue sky. However,looking south towards Karamea, where the chopperstood ready to fly me down the length of the West Coastto meet the trailhead of my next run challenge, therewas mean grey cloud frothing over the coastal ranges,threatening to engulf the shore. If that were to happen,we might be in for a very long, uncomfortable drive south instead. Just theidea of it was enough to bring tears to my eyes. The wobbles had returnedand my stumbles were becoming more frequent. I needed to be extra careful.We were getting within sniffing distance of the finish, but rounding CrayfishPoint we still had to face a few stings from the Heaphy’s tail. There were threemore encounters with the dreaded soft sand – Koura Beach, Bick Rock Beachand Scotts Beach all wanted a share of what little energy was left in my legs –and then there was the nasty climb over Kohaihai Bluff to lay claim to the rest.Coming over the top of the bluff we heard our support crew before wespotted them. I’d never been more relieved to see [my partner] Sal’ssmiling face, and after 12 ¾ hours of hard graft I greedily hugged herto me before collapsing onto the grass, eyes closed enjoying the mercifulrelease that being horizontal granted our feet.Over the years I’ve soaked my legs in many rivers but none have ever feltquite as wonderful as the Kohaihai that afternoon. I could have sat thereall afternoon, but my reverie was broken by the helicopter pilot shoutingand pointing at a bank of cloud rolling up the coast. There was no timeto lose – we had to get out of there. The goodbyes were rushed. I wouldn’tsee Sal again until I’d knocked off another two Great Walks *One Step Beyond is available from all bookshops with any sense of taste and can bepruchased directly from Mal (he may even sign it with a witticism if you ask nicely)via Running Wild NZ www.runningwildshop.co.nzMead Norton is an outdoor lifestyle photographer based in New Zealand.www.meadnorton.com8283
He may have won the extreme Canadian Death Race(motto for the 125km event: It’s a killer)and be a signed Salomon athlete, but the BackcountryRunner’s Grant Guise had yet to run a 100-miler.His choice in popping the traditional ultra distance cherry?A brutal one in Japan’s Ultra Trail Mt Fuji.Words > Grant Guise * Images > Shinpei Koseki / Sanpixs Imaging Singapore8485
HOW DOESONE KNOWif theyare preparedand readyfor whatis theunknown?“How do you feel? Are you ready?”The questions were asked many times, at an increasedfrequency, as the Ultra Trail Mt Fuji approached. And eachtime I had the same nervous laugh to myself and the sameanswer: “I am not sure, I hope so”.How does one know if they are prepared and ready for whatis the unknown?I remember when the Ultra Trail Mt Fuji (UTMF) was firstannounced for 2011, my little head filled with memoriesof beautiful rugged trails, magical views and the friendlypeople of Japan that I had experienced a few years earlier.The first edition of UTMF was, of course, cancelled dueto the triple diaster that Japan suffered in April 2011,but in May 2012 the first edition of the UTMF took place.Dubbed as the sister race to Europe’s famed Ultra Trail du MtBlanc (UTMB), UTMF shares many of the same characteristics,but with a unique Japanese flair that includes 161km and9100 meters of vertical gain. Replacing the chalet-pockedmountain farmland and cow bell ringing spectators of Europeare Japanese temples, an everpresent view of 3776-meterMt Fuji and the constant jiggle of runners’ Bear Bells.After seeing images of Salomon team mates Julien Chorier,Adam Campbell and Nerea Martinez at the 2011 editionof UTMF, my head was tantalisingly filled with the idea of an epicrace around Mt Fuji. Come 2013, that idea morphed to realityfor what was to be my first ‘miler’.For 2013, the event was moved back a month earlier to late Apriland most of the chatter pre-race was about the weather (as well as acourse change to anti-clockwise and 1000 meters more climbing).A week before the race it snowed in the surrounding cities at the baseof Fuji and I arrived in Yagisaki-Kouen, the start/finish town, withfellow Salomon team mates Jeremy Ritchey, Gretel Fortmann, GaryRobbins, Clair Price and Julien without laying eyes on Mt Fuji dueto low cloud and light rain. The following day I went to stretch thelegs a little, jogging along the final stretch of the course when I felta presence behind me. I turned and almost fell over: the beauty andsheer scale of Fuji–San was stunning. I needed to see this peak fromall angles. The only way to achieve that is to run all the way around.My plan was to run conservatively, but still put myself in a goodposition early on should I be feeling in a position to chalenge up front.I tucked in behind the French trio of Seb Chaigneau (The NorthFace), Antione Guillon and Lionel Trivel (both LaFuma), as wellas Gary Robbins, while our Salomon team mates Julien and Jeremytook off leading the race. I settled into a good pace with my newFrench friends, as well as a host of Japanese talent.Two hours into the race and it was already one like no other. Sittingaround tenth position, I was part of a pack of 8-10 other runners.8687
For hoursin thedark I ran,joggedand walked.Of all the trail racing I have done in New Zealand, Australia, HongKong and Canada, this was by far the deepest field I had raced in.At checkpoint A2 I left with the the Frenchmen (Chaigneau, Guillonand Trivel) and felt good, until the first steep climb began. I startedgoing backwards fast, before being revitalised by an epic view ofMt Fuji just on dusk as we summited Ryugatake. Leaving checkpointW1 in the dark, I was in 12th position at the base of the TenshiMountains. More than three hours later, coming down from thebrutal Tenshi’s, I was around 25th and more than one hour downon then race leader, Julien.For hours in the dark I ran, jogged and walked. I passed and got past.I walked flat road sections eating rice with my eyes closed and othertimes I turned off my Petzl Nao and ran by moonlight. Arriving ataid stations during this time was like awakening from a dream, afternot seeing or hearing anyone for so long, the course would suddenlyarrive at a well-lit marquee to cheers and encouragement andfriendly faces.Close to sunrise I found myself high on the Eastern slopes ofMt Fuji, at 1800m, with the snow-capped peak high above anda ribbon of intense red light as the sun was coming up in the east.Unbeknown to me as I ran down into checkpoint A6, I had creptinto 12th position. Then, arriving at the following pitstop of A7,I was greeted by name and then by a voice I recognised.Laid out on a massage table was team mate Jeremy Ritchy,broken and unable to go on and proof that the Fuji course hasthe aggression to take down the best.Like the course profile, my race continued to go up and down.I dropped more places, only to regain them and then lose them again.The highs where excellent: I walked the climbs with purpose andfocus, I flowed on the downs and strided out efficiently on therunable sections. But these patches of good times were pepperedby biting low patches which dominated the last 40kms of my race.At one point, I was passed by three small boys running up a hill,out for a Saturday morning walk with their family. This wasmy nadir and I was grateful to know that I had hit the bottom.I left A9 on a high having just been told that Gary had taken oversecond place ahead of Julien and Seb who were chasing hard. Iwas excited about the race playing out in front of me and Gary’sreturn from a long injury lay off. As my mind drifted back to myown race I was confronted by the steepest climb of the race. Sosteep and technical was this section there was a fixed rope to assistrunners. I was in such a state here I was sure I would fall off thesteep rocky ridge. There was an upside to that notion: at least if Idid I knew I could just lie down and stay there. Looking back, thisridge was actually a topographical highlight of the race and I wishI could have enjoyed it more at the time. Another long downhilland I reached the final aid station and high-fived a group of youngJapanese children cheering on runners with their parents.Hours earlier – it could have been a lifetime ago – I had the sameexperience as during the Tenshi Mountains section. Families,young children to grand parents, huddled in the cold night aswe ran along poorly-lit streets to A3, the sparse crowd offeringsupport, cheers and clapping. It inspired me into the night.Now, all that was left was to eat one final rice ball and drink anotherbottle of coke, with 20km and 800 meters of climbing mixed in forgood measure. I told myself that it was over, there was nothing left,I had broken the back of the race and after how far I had come,this would be easy. I wish it was. But I was to discover there was abasement door to my house of pain and I was about to drop through it.I ran, I walked, I shuffled and I almost cried when the course turneduphill one final time on the road. As I moved along the finalpaved incline I tried to justify my walking and kept thinking howstupid this was. I looked hopelessly for the UTMF flagging to leaddownhill and for it to end. Then I thought about all those peoplethat cheered me along, about my support crew that would bewaiting for me to arrive, my sponsors and family that have givenso much so I could be in that moment, almost 23hrs into theUltra Trail Mt Fuji. Did they give this support to me to walk alonga flat piece of road? They supported me to give my best andwalking this was not my best. No, I wasn’t winning the race,or anywhere near it, but I never was. Foe them, in that moment,I needed to give my best – so I ran.Finally, the road took a sharp left and dropped down steeply,turning into a dirt 4WD track. The end was nigh and I awoke toa realisation. The fastest way to get a cold beer and into a hotOnsen (hot springs) was to run fast, which had the added bonusof picking off a few fellow UTMF sufferfest participants that Ihad not seen in hours. I almost felt bad passing three people soclose to the finish.8889
Ultra TrailMt Fuji161km with 9000m of vertical gain and loss. 800 starters.Begins and finishes in Yagisaki Kouen,circumnavigating Mt Fuji, running anti-clock wise.Shizuoka To Yamanashi (STY) – is the shorteroption at 84km, with 4700m vertical gainand 1200 starters. It finishes in Yagisaki Kouen.Notable Australian results 2013 >Inov-8 team matesBrendan Davies in 5th and Shona Stephenson 2nd.The 2014 date is yet to be set,but expect late April/early May 2014.I weaved down the finishing chute, high-fiving those that wherenice enough to cheer me on. Over the line I propped my handon my knees and was overcome with relief and satisfaction.Looking up I was greeted by the smiling faces Aoki, Kenta,Takeshi and Keishi – my amazing crew for the past 23 hours.They looked as bad as I felt. Whoever moots that ultra runningis an individual sport is dead wrong. We hugged and I thankedthem before hobbling the half block to my Ryokan (traditionalJapanese inn) for a nap.Ask me if I would run the Ultra Trail Mt Fuji again, and Iwouldn’t be able to say why not. Coming from a small townin Southland, New Zealand, and now living in a village with apopulation of 25 people in the Canterbury high country, it ishard to imagine a bigger contrast in culture than Japan. Thefood, landscape, trails and people are amazing and for anyrunner, there is no better way to experience them all than byexperiencing the Ultra Trail Mt Fuji *Grant Guise is a Salomon-sponsored runner who spends his daysrunning the Backcountry Runner blog and Trail Shop (www.backcountryrunner.co.nz), looking after his 16 month-old daughterand trying to decide what to call his son, expected in August. Grantfinished his first 100mile race, UTMF, in 23hr13min, in 16th place.www.ultratrailmtfuji.com/enWhoever mootsthat ultrarunning is anindividual sportis dead wrong.9091
Feel the speedTeva Sphere SpeedGreat for >Mid range trail running (both distance andterrain technicality), door-to-trail, first steptransitioning towards minimalist, runnerslooking for some arch support, obstacle coursers.Not so great for >Hardcore trails, minimalist purists, racers, gripTest conditions >singletrail and fire trail, soft to firm,a smidge of technical, rocky, 45km+Tester > Chris OrdTester mechanics >Mid-foot strike. Slight pronator.Prefers minimal shoes, but technical trail.Medium width feet.RRP > AU$199.98Here’s the caveat on these new whizzbangs:they are not being touted as a purist trail shoe.Rather Teva – more renowned for theirfoot and sandal wear in the waterworld of paddling sports – has designedthese as an all-round cross trainer.Specifically their speel says that they were“inspired by the unpredictable worldof obstacle races and the athletesthat are crazy enough to take them on.”92 Teva Sphere Speed > trail shoe reviewSo keep that context in mind: they aren’t pretending to be a top linesingletrack racer. What they are trying to do is be likeable to all-comers.And as with so many things that try to be all things to all people,they could be accused of missing the mark, but not by much.According to designers, the main highlight of these shoes is thespherical heel matched to two pods situated obtrusively under thefoot arch. The rounded heel cuts down on superfluous heel bulk,but retains decent cushioning on the ball. The pods then act to givemore midfoot cushioning while providing stability as the foot flowsthrough motion. The pods are claimed to “improve your stride,reduce impact and promote stability on unpredictable terrain.”Despite the 4mm heel-to-toe drop the TevaSphere will probablynot keep the minimalists happy at all (minimalist runners tend toavoid gimmicky add-ons like the pods), this shoe may just keep thecushion junkies trying to wean themselves off their habit well satisfied.They are a good middle ground product for transition running.The pods are a curse and a blessing in varying degrees. You do feelthem, yet they don’t annoy as I expected they would. Where theycome into their own is when you start to tire and your gait getsa little sloppy (for those leaning to a mid to forefoot strike);these pods give you that little oomph of support without beinga rock in your shoe and they give a little physical reminderthat you technique is getting lazy and to get back up on stride.Still, part of me wanted to saw the pods off because I felt asthough without them, the Tevaspheres would be a perfect midrange or crossover minimalist offering. Seriously. Look atthese shoes and imagine them pod-less. Pretty sweet rig, huh?Yet like many other reviewers, I was pleasantly surprised withthe overall comfort and trail performance of these shoes.They rode well, they gripped okay (but not brilliantly),toe protection was good and the wick and dry-off factorwas better than most.They are no long rangers: Going anything more than about15-20km and you’ll find it not soft enough for those who likethat and too rigid and bulky for the true minimalists. Overall,a good shoe for your everyday trail run over mildly technicaltrails and shorter distances (or apparently an obstacle course).www.kathmandu.com.au93
Salomon Sense UltraUltra SensitiveGreat for > Weight watchers, trail racers,semi-minimalists, trail feel, Kilian groupiesNot so great for >Durability, the wallet, grip in mudor super slippery conditionsTest conditions >mostly fire trail with some singletrack,middling technicality, nothing too beefy,some sandy patches thrown in, 50km+Tester > Garry Dagg (minimalist editor)Tester mechanics >Normally (trail) sandal wearing mild over-pronatorwith wide feet that haven’t seen the inside of toomany running shoes too often – unless it’s of thepared down variety. The tester tries to run as light aspossible while carrying an 80kg frame around the paddockRRP > AU$219.99In amongst the marketing bunf, trademarked labels andradical names for products nutted out no doubtover long lunches it’s easy to miss fact on the SalomonS-lab Sense Ultras. Buried underneath labels ofS-lab this and Exoskin that, in small font is a fact thatbelies the company’s spirit more than its marketing.Salomon remains based in Annecy. Nestled atthe base of the French Alps and less than an hour fromSwitzerland and Italy, Salomon’s headquarters aresurrounded by the most jaw-dropping and mouth-wateringtrails and mountains a runner can set eyes upon.So while they continue to push the boundaries of the sport,funding the wildly individual career of Killian Jornet andpushing lightweight and resilient products onto the market,they retain that mountain origin. This combining of the seriousnature of the Alpine with relentlessly innovative productshas given birth to the Sense Ultra, which has listened to someconcerns about the original Sense being too minimalist(and grip-less) and has been beefed out to withstand punishingascents and descents all day long. This is not hard to understand.If you are sitting in an office in Annecy gazing on the gorgeouswaters of Lac Annecy, framed by the foothills of Mont Blanc,you are going to be thinking of designing a shoe that cantake you there, and keeping you there as long as possible.support as these shoes are intended to withstand the rigors of ultra racing.Their drop from heel to toe is 4mm but this new model has increasedthe cushioning somewhat so that there is 19mms of padding under heel.But while they might be knocking ever so gently at the door of the barefootgenre, there is no doubting what they are built to do. With King Killianas your tester, these are clearly built for a form of rugged minimalism –lightweight yet supportive enough to give cushioning and support for epicups and downs. The quality of the finish is, as always, one of Salomon’sfeatures. The Exo-skin makes the shoe form to your foot so it feels asmuch like a custom made slipper as an off-the shelf shoe, and the tongueand lacing system remain smart solutions keeping out grime. There hasalso been a narrowing of the toe box since the original Sense which ifyou’re got wide feet like myself makes them pretty snug up front but theyremain a shoe which is designed to fit for form and feel.The Sense Ultra will have no problem with any terrain.They have notched up tread from the previous model so that This is a serious shoe, which retains the brand’s consciousness forthe entire base of the shoe features deeper gripping lugs creating easily-worn, treads for trail runners, blending the best ofwhich give a very solid feel for such a light shoe (250 grams minimalism with most people’s need for a certain level of cushioningper shoe in a size 10). They are, for my uber-minimalist style and support, particularly into ultra distance and, as usual, made sure(I run in sandals) a bit too stiff but my testing period was briefthey have put it in a great looking package.so no doubt with plenty more kilometers in them they wouldbegin to bend and flex more. This stiffness offers a bit more www.salomon.com/au94 Salomon Sense Ultra > trail shoe review95
Hail La HeliosLa Sportiva HeliosGreat for > Pretty much any trail conditions,especially where grip needed, fast racing, any distanceNot so great for >Ice cold conditionsTest conditions >Mostly technical, groomed singletrail,soft to firm, wet, muddy, 60kmTester > Chris OrdTester mechanics >Mid-foot strike but gets lazy in the long run.Slight pronator. Prefers technical trail.Medium width feet.RRP > AU$149Popular in Europe as arespected mountain brandoffering a decent runningproduct in amongstski, trek, and climbniches, La Sportiva is onlyjust making inroadsto the local trail market.For the most part the brand has stuck with traditional big-sole,beefy-grip peak monsters (a la the Wildcat 2.0 or Raptor) thatlook as though they may well keep running long after you’ve fallenfrom exhaustion, such is their brash, intimidating style.The Helios, then, stray from the protectionist approach of thoseother La Sportivas, and instead tread lightly down the more minimalisttrail with a low-grade 4mm heel to toe drop and super lightweightconstruction.In fact, it was said to me that in their home country of Italy, runnersregard these as the shopping shoes. I disagree. Smacking these arounda few decent mountains in some fairly testing conditions (think MountBuller just prior to snow season, on super technical - but groomed -singletrack) they outperformed many of my other shoes in several respects.further increasing traction and providing a slip of tensionbetween contact points and so spring in the landing.The sole and mid construction overall is where I see the big benefitsof this shoe. It manages to provide a perfect balance of sucking and‘morphing’ to the trail, cushioning and at the same time deliveringenough trail feedback to keep you responsive to the terrain.Trail feel is better than expected given the 20mm-16mm solethickness and the wave grip design gives the shoes great flexibility.The upper is lightweight and extremely breathable – meaningin cold conditions like Mount Buller your feet freeze: like I said,these are not like their protectionist La Sportiva brethren.Thermoplastic welding – akin to an exo-skeleton – together witha traditional lacing system keeps feet well in place. The Helioscould perhaps benefit from some elasticised laces, as seen ona few of the The North Face models getting about (see review of HyperTrack Guide in this edition).been up-specced to deal with longer distances with moreunderfoot protection bolted into the EVA midsole via theaddition of a 2mm LaSpeva plate: a thicker, more-resilient foam.A heel stabiliser also carries out its duties with aplomb.The fit I found to be suited to an Antipodean foot – theresmore room across the forefoot, than in many other Euro models(such as Inov8s) where they keep the last on the narrow side.My only concern is durability, having not done enough distance onhard terrain to really gauge if they will cop a beating, but noticinglugs already on the wear, despite a denser rubber being used.Even so, these are a great all round shoe if you are tuned for the4mm heel-toe drop and want to extract Tarzan-glue like grip fromyour shoes. They are one of, if not the best earth-clingers in themarket, up there with Salomon’s Speedcross 3, although wherethose begin to aggravate when on anything but knarly, soft terrain,the Helios handle any surface hard, soft, smooth or otherwisein pleasing comfort. A popular all-terrain, all distance choice.Firstly comfort: they feel like an old pair of favourite gadaboutsneakers, and despite the minimal claim, seem to have a nice ifsubtle spring and squish in them. This is delivered by a combinationof the ‘Morphodynamic’ foam in the mid sole, the wave-styleThe Helios shares pedigree with La Sportiva’s popular (in Europedesign underneath and a unique variable-plane sole where theand the States) Vertical K model, loved by fast, minimalist mountain‘topography’ (or ‘underography’?) of the grip undulates irregularly,racers belting big gradients. Essentially the Helios DNA hasStockists > www.expeditionequipment.com.au96 La Sportiva Helios > trail shoe review97
Hyper slickThe North Face Hyper TrackGreat for > Fast running on assorted trails andfire roads, runners with good form, weeklytraining shoe, transition to mid/fore foot runningNot so great for >Wet and muddy trails,runners who prefer heavy supportTest conditions >Singletrail and fire trail, soft to firm,rocky, TNF50, 100km+ overallTester > Chris OrdTester mechanics >Mid-foot strike but gets lazy in the long run.Slight pronator. Prefers technical trail.Medium width feet.RRP > AU$190It’s always going to bea trade off whena brand tries to straddlethe so-calleddoor-to-trail niche.98 The North Face Hyper Track > trail shoe reviewI’m a big fan of organising life so I never need to run too far on roadto get to a trailhead. Also, my preferred trails are super techy andwild, so my personal selection of shoes is always a grippy-bear styleof trail shoe. If a short dose of crappy concrete is required, I justput up with my bulldozer-lug shoes arguing with bitumen for a shortstretch while I trot them over to the dirty side.My singletrail snobbery extends, if I am honest, to fire roads. I’m nota fan. But some trail runs (especially events) include them as necessityand admittedly some do plug into wonderful patches of wilderness.And so I see why a hybrid shoe like the Hyper should be a welcomemember of my trail shoe trove.And so it was that after limited (45km) testing, I took the Hyper Guidesto The North Face 100 ultra trail event in the Blue Mountains for anotherfifty-<strong>click</strong> outing. And the outcome was as golden as the shoe’s paint job.Although some queried my choice of clogs on the start line, my finaljudgement when I arrive back six hours later was that they matchedthe TNF100s mix of techy singletrack, road, and fire trail to a tee.The basics of this shoe are that they are a neutral construction, with lessmidsole structure to control pronation (if you are into that kind of thing).Rather the shoe relies on its proprietorial Cradle Guide technologyto encourage a natural biomechanically correct stride throughthree phases. Encourage. Not enforce. If you have poor form,no shoe’s gonna fix it, you know that, right?The shoe’s 8mm heel to toe drop places it squarely in the middlebetween minimalist (0-4mm drop) and traditional (10-14mmdrop), making it a good crossover shoe for those transitioningtheir form to move their strike forward. So there’s enoughcushioning in the rear, combined with the Cradle Guide, tokeep the heel protected, but it’s far from a bubble shoe of spring.I’d even predict that many heading down the minimalist roadmay end up sticking with something like the Hyper or the likesof the Salmon Mantra (6mm), cutting their minimalist journeyshort by a way, satisfied with a middle ground compromise.It’s a fairly lightweight beast, the cushioning falling awayconsiderably up front (from 16mm at the rear to 8mm at thefront) to deliver what would be fair to say is a firm impact ridefor those already falling to the forefoot. Towards the end ofa fifty-kay run, my underfoot was starting to tenderize some –the cost of designers easing back on putting meat in the chassis.When it came to trail feel and control on tough terrain, these shoesreally shined. I felt I could stick my footing no matter how FredAstaire I was getting. The tread does exhibit good grip on dryground but with lugs toned right back to cope with the ‘road’ part ofa hybrid life, traction was always going to suffer if a little. Any glistenof dew, aqua-splashed rock or in particular soft mud surfaces, andtheir tendency to loose a little grip had my confidence falteringsome and my balls-out approach kicked back a gear.Stretchy laces keep the foot in place nicely without fear of instigatingupper foot tendonitis (sometimes caused by laces being too tightacross the top of the foot, especially in ultras where the foot swells.The elastic give in these laces means they accommodate this).The seamless upper is super breathable with welded overlays givingenough structure for some foot support up top, while the reflectivetabs give added safety for the night runs. Thankfully of zero use onthe TNF50, although had I run TNF100, it would have been handy.This is an ideal shoe for bush runners spending decent time onfire trails with a mix of single track thrown in, especially in summerwhere their breathable nature keeps your feet ventilated and quicklydry post creek crossing.www.thenorthface.com.au99
presentsTrailPornImage by Mark WatsonIt’s the biggest ultra and trail race in the nationand fittingly has some of the biggest views.Here a runner trots down the clifftop stairsnear Olympian Rock, Leura, with viewslooking out at the backside of Three Sisters,Narrowneck and over Jamison Valley.www.inciteimages.com100101
Scenes from The North face 100 2013.Images by (clockwise from right) >Lyndon Marceau www.marceauphotography.comAndy Green, and Mark Watson www.inciteimages.com102 trail porn >103
Presented byLeft> Aussie Mick Donges on the fly trying todefend his Tarawera title. He ended up in fifth place.Photo by > Lyndon Marceauwww.marceauphotography.comTop Right> Overlooking Governors Bay on a midnightrun in the Christchurch Port Hills, New Zealand.Photo by > Jono KingBottom Right> Clare Weatherly on Quartz Ridgeduring the 100 mile La SportivaAlpine Challenge, Victoria, Australia.Photo by > Matt Adamswww.runningwild.net.au/alpine-challenge104 trail porn >105
Presented byLeft > Sage Canaday from the UnitedStates made his trip Down Underworthwhile with a win in the Tarawera Ultra.Photo by > Lyndon Marceauwww.marceauphotography.comRight > Nepali trail runner Tashi Sherpacruises the highlands at the 277kmMustang Trail Race multiday event, Nepal.Next edition 23 November 2013.Photo by > Richard Bullwww.mustangtrailrace.com106 trail porn >107
presentsTrailGuidesYou know they’re there: those pristine trails.Close. Not far from your doorstep. You can smell them…Or maybe that’s just the sweet waft of dirt not-long groundinto the lugs of your trail shoes, which sit by the front door —a welcome reminder of the weekend’s mountain jaunt.But the blood screams for more. The legs are sore, yet theypine for a warm down. A warm up. A flat out blast alongsome winding, wet, wonderful singletrack. But where to go?Only got an hour (which you know can stretch to three).Trail Mag has the answer(s). Here. In this guide. Each editionwe’ll bring you step by step trail run guides, all within an hourof a major city or town in Australia or New Zealand, allbetween 5km and 30km, all worth zipping out to for a trail fix.We’ve also included some post-trail goodness ‘cause we’rehuman; we’re caffeine freaks too (strong latte – sometimesdouble espresso, but only on race days), and we lovethe smell of fresh eggs and bacon after pounding the paths.Welcome to the goodness guide.Win Salomon gear!We need trail correspondents! If you think there’s a cracking trailthe world needs to know about, go research it, write it up, shoota photo and send it in. We do have a bit of a style going, so be sure tocheck out the guidelines and download the pro forma before you do at >www.trailrunmag.com/contributeIf your guide is chosen as the ‘Editor’s Pick’ of the issue, you’llwin some great Salomon Trail Gear. The best guide submittedto be published in Edition #10 (out September 2013) will receivean Agile 17 Hydro Pack (RRP $119), a stretch fit 17L beauty perfectfor longer missions, plus a 1.5L Salomon bladder (RRP$59.99)and a 237mL Salomon soft flask (RRP$24.99).So go running, get writing and start window shopping at >www.salomon.com/au108 109
Presented byLake Angelustrail tips >RUN IT >NEARby town/CITY >St Arnaud, 7km; Nelson, 90kmexact location > Mt Robert Car Park,at the end of Mt Robert Ski Field Rdtotal ROUTE DISTANCE > 23kmTIME TO RUN > 5 to 7hrs, depending on how muchyou are going for it, and how much you enjoy the views.TYPE OF TRAIL run > CircuitDIFFICULTY > Difficult to Very Difficult,a very technical trail in a remote locationDEFINING CHARACTERISTICS >Mountainous,very rocky tracks, boulders, screes, some steepclimbs and downhill, very technical; amazing viewsbest MAPS > Get to the DOC Center and get1:25.000 maps BR24 & BS24; otherwise get a freepdf copy online at www.linz.co.nzStart at the Mt Robert car park, approx. 5km in after turning from the highwayinto the National Park on Mt Robert Ski Field Road.Leave a note one the car dashboard with your details and expected return time.Check the DOC & METService websites, and have a chat with the local DOCrangers to get the latest weather and mountain conditions.Tackle the track heading up toward Robert’s Ridge. The Lake Angelus track is easyto navigate. It is a popular overnight tramping track to the Lake Angelus Hut (6hours each way), and the DOC (Department Of Conservation) does a great job at,well, conserving it! The track is well signposted all the way, and markers show youthe way in the tricky bouldery areas.Climb up to the ridge. It is 500m of climbing over the first 2km. The trackfollows switchbacks at the edge of the forest, taking you in and out of trees untilyou reach a first shelter and leave the forest behind. Pass a second older shelterand leave Paddy’s Track on your left, then start making your way along the ridge.From here, navigation is easy: simply follow the ridge for about 11km, leavingbehind you the now-abandoned Mt Robert Skiing Resort, beautiful littlemountain lakes, as well as a number of perpendicular ridges before gettingto the Lake Angelus turnoff. At the sign, head down toward the leftuntil reaching the brand new and very spacious Lake Angelus Hut.After a bit of a break enjoying the still waters of the lake and the majestyof those mountains, head back up the ridge to the turn off sign. Fromthere, you can either head back along the ridge, or dip down the valleyin front of you toward Speargrass Hut.Speargrass Hut track is a 5km downhill (700m drop) through alpinemeadows, screes and streams, directly below Robert’s Ridge. Once you getto the Speargrass Hut Bridge, leave the track to the hut on your left, andcross the river to join a track on the opposite bank. These last undulating5km takes you through alpine forest, back to the Mt Robert car park.On this trail, you will come across a wide variety of terrain, most of it onthe technical end of the range. From steep loose screes to large bouldersof suspicious stability, you get the chance to put quick feet to the testand enjoy fast trail running; floating weightless from rock to rock,and enjoying the game for the game, rather than for the performance.This trail remains one of my purest running experiences: a mountain, somesun, beautiful landscapes, fun track and great company; what else is needed?!WISE ADVICE >This track is remote; at the return point you will be14k away from the nearest road. Make sure to pack plentyof food and water, have your first aid kit and plan forthe worst weather-wise. The weather in alpine areas willchange quickly and with little warnings, particularlyalong a ridge like this. Finally, make sure you letsomeone know where you are going and when you areexpecting to be back.post run goodness >There are few cafes in St Arnaud but theAlpine Lodge seems to be the popular choicewith visitors. They also do accommodation and spaif the track and boulders have taken their toll…The Tophouse is also rated highly for both itscafé/bar and guesthouse.Lake Angelus & Robert Ridge, South Island, NZ > Your Guide Olivier Caire + Jaime Metcalfe110111
Presented byWarrie Circuittrail tips >NEARby town/CITY >Mudgeeraba (24km, 45min drive)exact location > Tallanbana picnic area,Springbrook Plateau Section, Springbrook National Parktotal ROUTE DISTANCE > 13km-17km(depending on if you believe trail guide or GPS)TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT > 875mTIME TO RUN > It depends how much youlike climbing! Estimate that quicker runners will take1.5-2 hours; easier pace 2.5-3 hoursTYPE OF TRAIL run > LoopDIFFICULTY > Moderate, but the climb out is toughDEFINING CHARACTERISTICS >Rainforest, waterfalls, ascentsFeatures of interest >Waterfalls, creek crossings, valley lookouts,old-growth rainforest to name but a few!best MAPS > Springbrook National ParkWalking Trail Map, by DERMRUN IT >A scenic loop track that can be run in either direction, although it is easierto traverse in a counter-clockwise direction (either way you head, it isa consistent downhill run into the valley, followed by a consistent uphillrun out!). The track is predominantly hard-parked dirt with protrudingroots in most parts, but it can be muddy after rainy periods. There are alsosections where the dirt makes way for rock and stone that need a little care.There are a few fallen trees to be negotiated, but these have been well lookedafter by the Park Rangers and are features of the walk, rather than obstacles.The run can be started at either Canyon lookout or Tallanbana picnicarea (both marked on the map), although the Tallanbana picnic area haspublic toilets and, as the name suggests, picnic facilities, so it’s a great placeto finish up and further enjoy the surrounds.From Tallanbana picnic area, follow the obvious track away from the picnicarea for about 250m until you reach your first trail junction. From herehead counter-clockwise, following the signposted Warrie Track a short waybefore a second trail junction indicates a choice of the ‘Twin Falls Circuit’or the ‘Warrie Circuit’. Follow the signs for the Warrie Circuit, which takesyou east along the base of a series of cliffs to Goomoolahra Falls, where thetrack leads you behind the cascading water. From the falls a steady descent,which includes several creek crossings (that may or may not be wet dependingon the season), takes you deep into the rainforest.The lowest point of the track is just past the halfwaypoint at the ‘Meeting of the Waters’, a pretty spotwhere all the watercourses draining the gorge meet.It is from here that the trail begins its steady climb backout of the gorge, mostly on switchback single-track.The only route decision on the way out occurs whenthe track again meets the signposted ‘Twin FallsCircuit’ (at just over the 10.5km mark accordingto GPS), at which point you join that circuit,continuing to follow the track in a counter-clockwisedirection. This section of the track is spectacular.Follow the marked trail back to the Tallanbanapicnic area...and you’re done!post run goodness >Dancing Waters Cafe for a post run coffee fix and a latebreakfast (opening times vary) or try the SpringbrookGeneral Store & Cafe for a relaxed breakfast or lunchon the verandah (10 Forestry Rd / 07 5533 5154).112 SPRINGBROOK > GOld Coast, QLD > Your Guide Matt Judd www.juddadventures.com113
Presented byPIHA VALLEy LOOPtrail tips >NEARby town/CITY >Piha, 1km, Auckland 40kmexact location >Car park at end of Glen Esk Road, Pihatotal ROUTE DISTANCE > 13kmTIME TO RUN > 1.5-2.5hrsTYPE OF TRAIL run > LoopDIFFICULTY > ModerateDEFINING CHARACTERISTICS >Winter mud, single track, roots,one technical rocky section with guide wireFeatures of interest >Historical Kauri dam, views down Piha Valleybest MAPS >Auckland Council Recreation Map >‘Waitakere Ranges Regional Park’ available fromArataki Visitors CentreRUN IT >So good are the trails found darting from Phia, on the coast west of Auckland inthe Waitakere Ranges, that Trail Run Mag returns for a second helping, this valleyrun complementing the longer ‘surf and bush’ run, published in Edition 7.From the Glen Esk Road car park, head across a small footbridge onto PihaValley Track. The track meanders along through beautiful nikau and ponga.Look for fat native kereru (wood pigeons) skimming along the stream. Stay rightat the junction with McKenzie Track; veer left at the junction with Centennial.Centennial Track climbs gently through dense bush, then descends a flight of stepsto Black Rock Dam. Remnants of the old Kauri dam are visible in rectangular nichesin the rock and a remaining solid trunk across the stream. Look for orange trackmarkers across the stream upriver to the right (the old dam is a popular picnic spotso the trail appears to veer left).A rocky but runnable section follows to the junction with Forbes: stay right.The track becomes mildly technical as it climbs steadily towards Anawhata Road,including a steep, narrow rock wall with wires, steps and a handrail - at the topyou are rewarded with amazing views down the valley to PihaAt the junction with Quarry Track you have options: a short detour right,out to the road, then left up McElwain Lookout Track affords you a climb upthe tower for spectacular views (continue along this loop track to rejoin Quarry).Alternatively, turn left onto Quarry and run down a fairlytechnical section of trail: fast/fun when dry, muddy/fun when wet.Maungaroa Ridge Track starts on the far side of the clearing.This track has a certain notoriety as the first mainland Kaurisuffering from PTA (Phytophthora taxons Agasis - Kauri diebackdisease) were sighted here in 2006. Along this beautifully undulatingtrack you will see glades of dead and dying Kauri juxtaposed withhealthy but at-risk riccars (juvenile Kauri).Turn left onto Maungaroa Ridge Track to descend steeply throughfabulously gnarled puriri trees – sometimes accompanied bycommentary from a Piha surf event - out to Glen Esk Road wherea short jog left returns you to the car park.post run goodness >It is almost mandatory to visit the Piha Cafe after this run.Their All Day Kiwi Breakfast is as legendary as their pizzas – but timeyour run carefully if you want to be sure of a seat on a sunny day.Images > Phil Platt * Runner > Steven Neary114Piha > North Island, NZ > Your Guide Vicki Woolley115
WISEMANS FERRYPresented bytrail tips >NEARby town/CITY > Closest town is WisemansFerry. Kiosk and toilets using recycled water at ferry point.exact location > End of Old Northern Rd,where it meets the Hawkesbury. Park, cross river on ferry,turn left. Trailhead roughly 1km along road, on the right.total ROUTE DISTANCE >29km point to point, or 58km out and backTOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT > 740m asc/450mdescent for point to point, or 1190m for bothTIME TO RUN >3.5hr for first half on a very ambling day, 7hr total.TYPE OF TRAIL run > Mostly groomed fire trail,with sandy and rock-surfaced sections and someshort sections of single trailDIFFICULTY > Easy to moderateDEFINING CHARACTERISTICS >Scrubby bushland and gum forest, valley views,sub-tropical wet forests at the far end.Features of interest > Historical signsintermittently along the route, explaining the historyof the trail and resources of the area, such as historiccobble stones and disused branches off the route.best MAPS >www.movescount.com/moves/move7053789www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParksRUN IT >This run is groomed mostly non-technical trail that you can open up on,but the surrounding scenery is gorgeous and it’s a peaceful and under-used areafor running. Steady gradient won’t turn you into a mountain goat but mightjust be what you need to steadily build strength and stamina. A unique aspectof this run is the fact that you start with a river crossing on a ferry. If you timeyour return right, you’ll hit the river as the sun is setting. A sweet end to the day!Park, cross by foot on the ferry, turn left when you hit the road and run tothe west for roughly 1km. Here you’ll hit the gates to the Old Great NorthernRoad on your right. Enter and enjoy. The road may still be closed due toa rockfall, sealed off by pink tape. Some of us, though, are more familiarwith pink tape as a course marker…When in doubt, stick to the high road. The route is winding but clear for theentire run even though sometimes it narrows to scrubby or rocky single track.At 15km, the Buddhist retreat puts out a barrel of water for passersby.This might be your turnaround point, or your halfway marker,or refreshment you’ll visit again in a few hours on your way back.If you’ve kept going, you’ll hit 29km at the intersection of Bell Rd andWaratah Road. Either turn here OR if suitably timed, just 4km fromhere you’ll find a convenience store where money can be exchanged forfrosty beverages. Otherwise, time to run on back.post run goodness >Wisemans Coffee House is smack on the east bank of the river,coffees of unknown quality, or for a cold beer try theWisemans Inn Hotel which has a decent deck with a view.116 WISEMANS FERRY > NSW > Your Guide Roger Hanney117
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