Your weekly fix of NZ trail running news
We're here for you, like that ripped emergency bag that somehow keeps passing mandatory race gear checks.
Here's what we've got for you this week:
Jumbo Holdsworth & Hooper loop results
Your Worst Run Ever
To much speed, not enough goat?
Preview - Pigs Backyard Ultra
Mountain Skag pic of the week
Jumbo Holdsworth Results - A ...B Course
Potential heavy rain, low visibility & gale-force winds. Three elements that make any mountain race director anxious. However, the temperature was mild, and the forecast winds had not arrived, so the decision was made to start the race on the A course. But 1 hour in, reports of increasingly high winds were sent from the marshalls to base camp. The decision was made to turn the race into an out-and-back mid-race.
A course was on! Andrew Turner Photography
Women's podium:
🥇 Gretchen Galloway - 2:09:35 (Vet)
🥈 Philippine De Marion - 2:15:18 (Snr)
🥉 Jessie Field-Dodgson - 2:25:18 (Snr)
Men's podium:
🥇 David Haunschmidt - 1:55:12 (Snr)
🥈 Dougal Thornburn - 1:57:17 (Vet)
🥉 Max Doherty - 1:57:34 (Jnr)
20 runners made it to Mt Holdsworth (17.5 km return) while the rest of the field was turned around at Powell Hutt (15 km return). Regardless if you made it to Holdsworth or Powell, your time across the finish line was your result. A tough decision, but runner safety must be the top priority. I'm sure there was some frustration for those at the pointy end of the race, but no one wants to see a tragedy. This is the nature of mountain racing.
The rain didn't dampen everyone's spirits - Sharisse Eberlein Photography
There was confusion in the women's race as the lead pack thought the race was cancelled at Powell Hutt. Several runners handed in their bibs and continued to complete an unofficial "A course"(Note: The same occurred in the men's race but not at the very front). This allowed the chase pack to fight for the podium. Don't take anything away from these top 3 women. It was only one-third of the way through, so there was still plenty of racing left when the confusion occurred.
Young gun Max Doherty full jandal from the start - Andrew Turner Photography
It was a battle of the Doctors in the men's race. David Haunschmidt backed up his 3rd place from The Goat last week by beating out Dougal Thornburn for 1st. An impressive race from young gun Max Doherty (16 yo), who lead the field to Powell Hutt taking 3rd. It would have been interesting to see how the A course played out. The infamous Rain Gauge track in slippery conditions could have had a significant influence on the results.
In the championship race, all runners who get to Powel Hutt sub 1 hour get a sweet cap. This year 8 runners dipped below the 1-hour mark
🧢 Max Doherty, David Haunshmidt, Dougal Thornburn, Jonas Lehmann, Craig Hertz, Daniel Clendon, Hayden Smith and the mysterious bib #628
Hooper Loop - 12KM
The Hooper loop stays mainly in the bush, so it went ahead as planned. Track conditions were slippery and muddy, and the temperature remained mild. Maybe not the best condition for fast racing, but undoubtedly great conditions for having fun.
Tough day at the office for the starting cannon - Andrew Turner Photography
Men's podium:
🥇 James Richardson - 59:21 (Vet)
🥈 Andrew Hayes - 1:00:37 (Vet)
🥉 Hugh Taylor - 1:04:57 (Snr)
Women's podium:
🥇 Tui Dugan - 1:14:20 (Jnr)
🥈 Georgia Cassidy - 1:19:41 (Snr)
🥉 Emma Basset - 1:20:50 (Snr)
It was a race of the battle-hardened veterans in the men's race. James Richardson did enough to edge out Andrew Hayes to secure his 3rd win at the race. The Vets went 1st and 2nd overall, with Hugh Taylor taking 3rd and 1st place senior.
Tui Dugan finishing strong - Andrew Turner Photography
Tui Dugan won by a comfortable 5 minutes in the women's race. She took out the overall result and the first Junior. The race for 2nd and 3rd was a lot tighter, with only a minute between the two. Georgia Cassidy got the job done, taking out 1st in Senior women for the second time.
Legend Race Director Andrew Thompson during briefing - Andrew Turner
Full kudos to Andrew Thompson (race director) & crew. Bad weather makes everything hard. Some tough decisions had to be made, but by all accounts, everyone made it back safely and there were plenty of smiles. Fingers crossed for next year.
For full category results (not out yet) & more photos, check out the official Facebook & Instagram pages
Your Worst Run Ever
We're starting a new segment. We want to hear about the run that wakes you up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. We've all had them.
What we don't want:
❌"I was just in perfect flow and at one with nature. As I summited Mt. Unicorn ⛰️, a perfect rainbow🌈 cast across the sky, giving me the winning lotto numbers."
What we do want:
✔️"As I started wiping🧻, I heard footsteps 👣 and voices behind me ..."
Send your Worst Run Ever to [email protected] - Bonus points if you don't want it to be anonymous.
Hoka Speedgoat 5 - Too much speed, not enough goat?
We're seeing daily reports of premature wear, soles peeling away, and general frustration with the Hoka Speedgoat 5. The speedgoat series has been one of the most popular shoes on the market. At $299 a pop, you need to get good mileage out of them. Who wants to spend $1.00 per KM on shoes? If you're an avid speedgoater and have had issues - send an email to [email protected] with the following:
😔What's gone wrong
📏How far you've run
📷 Some pics of the issue
It's easy to fob off individuals, but if we can put together a compilation of shitness maybe we will get somewhere?
Pigs Backyard Ultra - Silverstream reserve, Dunedin
Saturday 4th of February
Pigs backyard is back for its second year and ready to deal out some suffering. A quick refresher on the backyard ultra format.
Participants run a 6.7 km loop on the hour every hour until only one person is left (you can run it as fast or as slow as you like).
The winner is the last person to complete a loop when all others have given up.
Naturally, there's a bit of mud involved
Pigs' is a bit different from other backyard events.
🌲 The majority of the loop is through native bush
🌊👟There's a swing bridge and creek crossings (wet feet anyone?)
💰 They donate money towards the Otago Youth Wellness Trust
There are currently 75 🐷pigs in the starting corral, and entries are still open. Keep tabs on their results page and catch live coverage on Instagram
Sam Harvey set the bar at 32 loops (214.7KM) last year. Sam's not returning so it looks like someone new will be bringing home the bacon.
Mountain Skag pic of the week
Rotorua local Tim Pickering with this snap from his 3 peaks adventure in Tongariro. Big country
We will be back next week with the Pigs Backyard Ultra results and much more.
If there's an event or topic you would love to feature in the newsletter, get in touch.
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