🦁Lion Cub Mauls Woolley Mammoth & Doctor at Jumbo Holdsworth
"It just came out of no where..."
Your weekly fix of NZ trail running news
Welcome to Trail Running NZ - the only media outlet that gets less accurate by attending the event!
Here’s what’s in the drop bag this week:
🏃🏃♀️Jumbo Holdsworth Results
🏃🏃♀️Mavora Explorer Results
🏃🏃♀️First Light Marathon Results
🎯Things You May Have Missed
🏁Upcoming events: -
⛰️💊Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
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Jumbo Holdsworth Results
Saturday, January 25
A big round of applause for Race Director Andrew Thompson.
2023 was a washout, and last year ran on the B course. Finally, he appeased the weather gods with the appropriate sacrifices in the right order, delivering perfect running conditions—far out exceeding the forecast.
Now, I will claim some of the credit, as I was lined up to race the Jumbo Holdsworth Trail Race for the first time.
Is there anything better than a race start line? Old faces and new, chatting away, listing off the different niggles they have, sandbagging their expected finish time before hammering off the start like they’ve just stolen a Mars bar from the dairy.
Last year’s Pinnacle B course went down a treat, but you could feel the difference in energy and anticipation on the start line on Saturday.
Everyone had this look in their eye. Like they were listening to what you were saying, but they were distracted. You could almost hear what they were thinking …
“We are going on the motherf⛰️cking tops!”
Jumbo Holdsworth Podium Direction
📏24km | ⛰️1500m
🏃Men's Podium
🥇Matt Adams - 2:33:39
🥈Ryan Woolley - 2:33:49
🥉David Haundschmidt - 2:38:22
Congratulations Matt Adams, you have arrived.
I predicted Ryan Woolley would win this rematch of the WAI2K 50 and hold off ‘The Flying Doctor’. Which he did! ✅
What I didn’t predict was the young lion from Wellington Scottish, Matt Adams, to blow this sh💩t wide open.
I was racing the opposite way in the non-championship direction, looking to secure the coveted ‘Mid pack award’.
To say I was surprised when I saw the sun glistening off the sweaty speed moustache of Matt Adams coming the other way in 1st is an understatement.
But I’ll tell you what: I was stoked😃. To see him guns a blazing, taking it to his more fancied opponents was a thing to behold.
Woolley was next past, looking calm and collected, maybe 2 minutes back.
The Flying Doctor was a further 3-4 minutes back and appeared to be down an engine after last week’s efforts at The Goat.
Adams kept the hammer down on the climb up Mt.Holdsworth, reaching Powell Hutt first with a lead of between 1-2 minutes.
It was still game on, and the steep descent into the Atiwhakatu River valley below would determine the race.
Woolley never gave up, keeping himself in the fight. With a Fast & Furious 12 descent, he closed the gap right up in the final kilometre.
The race ended in a manic sprint finish, with Adams powering across the river and up the final rise to take his first big title, The Jumbo Holdsworth Trail Race, by just 10 seconds.
Get used to seeing his name, it’s going to end up on a few more trophies.
Haundschmidt roared back to life at Powell, managing to find his mojo just in time for the descent.
He couldn’t close the gap on Woolley but locked in a solid podium finish, comfortably holding off Chester Holt-Quick, who was backing up a 107km effort at M*A*S*H BYU just last weekend.
The victors write history, as they say - so here’s Matt Adams filling us in on how he pulled off the upset.
How did the race play out at the front?
“Ryan and a few other runners set a hot pace from the start, on the 6ish km along the valley to Atiwhakatu. I hung back maybe 1 minute from Ryan, and a couple of the other runners dropped off through that bit, it’s definitely easy to go off quick.”
“The climb up rain gauge is brutal, I heard David a little behind me a few times and caught glimpses of Ryan ahead, and he was just ahead at Jumbo hut.”
“I caught slightly on him all the way to the top of Jumbo, where he was probably 20 seconds in front of me. I looked back there and didn’t see David, which I knew was a good sign that we’d both climbed pretty well.”
“I passed Ryan on the more technical descent on the ridge, but the legs were hurting on that last climb up east holdsworth, I think I had probably put a minute on him there. I tried to send that descent to Powell as much as possible, and thought I might have put more time on him there (I don’t think I did).”
“I cramped a couple times and was grateful to hit the bottom, thinking I had more of a buffer than I did. With about 500m to go, I had eased off a bit, and then I hear Ryan shout “push it” which was very good of him, he could have snuck up on me.”
“We went full gas to the line, and I had ten second on him at the finish. It was great to have that kind of competition to push each other, it was a hard run but a good one.”
What does it mean to you to win such an iconic race with such a deep field?
“Pretty good to be honest. I haven’t had a result like that before really, not with such a competitive field.”
“It’s an epic course, a real mountain race, one where you need a good climb, a good descent, technical ability and speed. It’s also stunning. Andrew and the team put on a real special event there. I’ll definitely be back.”
Jumbo Holdsworth Podium Direction:
📏24km | ⛰️1500m
🏃♀️Women's Podium
🥇Ali Wilson - 2:59:51
🥈Hannah Fletcher - 3:07:27
🥉Tui Dugan - 3:19:27
Everyone sing it with me…
Just as sure as the southerly blows, Ali Wilson wins😎.
She’s started where she left off after a stellar 2024, which saw her win Jumbo Holdsworth, 3 Peaks + 1 (National Champ), and she annihilated the Taupo 50km course record🔥.
She only knows one way—full throttle from the gun cannon and try to rip the legs clean off anyone brave enough to try and keep up.
Wilson’s strategy paid dividends once again. She built an early lead along the undulating Atiwhakatu track before applying the pressure up the infamous Raingauge climb.
If the chase pack wanted to stay in contention, they would have to burn some matches to keep in contact before she hit the open waters on top along the ridgeline.
Wilson summited Jumbo first, taking the ‘Queen of the Mountain’ before extending her lead across the tussock tops to Mt. Holdsworth.
With Wilson out of sight, the race became a battle for the final two spots on the podium. Hannah Fletcher, Tui Dugan, Allira Hanczakowski, and Bex Hutchinson were all in contention with half the race to go.
Fletcher would finish the strongest, thundering her way down from Powell Hutt, to take 2nd, just under 8 minutes back from Wilson.
Dugan would be next across the line, a further 12 minutes back, doing enough to kick clear of Hanczakowsi & Hutchinson.
Wilson took time out of her victory tour of Lower Hutt to answer a couple of my questions:
JH title number 3 and back on the A course - what keeps you returning to this race?
“He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.”
“It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.”
“It's such a great event, which attracts an amazing bunch of trail runners and passionate behind the scenes people. A race that encompasses everything trail running.”
What was the plan heading in? Tear everyone’s legs off up to Jumbo and hope to hold on?
“The plan... go hard, get out of sight and see if I can hold on to the end.”
“Go fast on the flat, try get the heart rate down before the climb, let the quads do the work and then open up on the down (and not stack it).”
“A few rookie mistakes were made with my nutrition plan or lack of, which made for harder work than I'd hoped.”
Well, it certainly did the trick. Keep your eyes peeled - she may be back at Old Ghost next month to erase the 2nd place blip on her 2024 CV.
Hooper Loop: 📏12km | ⛰️500m
🏃♀️Women's Podium
🥇Madeleine Watson - 1:12:55
🥈Jo Doherty - 1:15:21 (Vet)
🥉Liz McDougal - 1:18:40 (Vet)
Madeleine Watson ran 2 minutes slower than last year, but she didn’t need them. She ended up winning by 3 minutes over Jo Doherty.
Doherty would take the silver and the Vet victory ahead of Liz McDougal, who got home to take the overall bronze.
Hooper Loop: 📏12km | ⛰️500m
🏃Men's Podium
🥇Dan Clendon - 57:55 (Vet)
🥈James Richardson - 1:03:02(Vet)
🥉Miroslav Horak - 1:09:36
Dan Clendon stepped down from the Jumbo Holdsworth Loop to make it a battle of two salty old seadogs in the Hooper Loop. James Richardson has had a lock on the Hooper Loop in recent years, winning 3 on the trott.
However, all things must come to an end. Clendon had too much gas, comfortably going under the 1-hour milestone, ending the Richardson Hooper Loop Dynasty.
CLICK HERE for the Provisional Results. Follow Jumbo Holdsworth on Instagram & Facebook for more coverage.
A big shout-out to Andrew from ATPhoto, who took the amazing photos in this week’s newsletter. Check him out on Instagram to see more of the photos rolling in.
This Week’s Newsletter Is Brought To You By…
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You don’t have a race nutrition plan (or a clue).
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Other Results Around The Country
Mavora Explorer - Te Anau
Saturday, January 25
Mararoa Half 21km
🏃♀️Women's Podium
🥇Madeline Patterson - 1:49:29
🥈Jess Annan - 1:54:38
🥉Rose Dickison - 2:05:42
🏃Men's Podium
🥇Cody Robertson - 1:38:02
🥈Brett McGowan - 1:42:42
🥉Gwyn Ashcroft - 1:43:13.
Click Here for the full results, including the Dale Dash 12km, and check them out on Facebook
First Light Marathon - Gisborne
Saturday, January 25
First Light Marathon
🏃Men's Podium
🥇Simon Bousfield - 3:51:36
🥈Christian Flojgaard - 4:04:27
🥉Zeke Ingram- 4:13:33
🏃♀️Women's Podium
🥇Anne Sehested- 4:04:28
🥈Emma Pescini - 4:20:20
🥉Alice Burgess - 4:24:30
Click Here for the full results, including the 6km & 21km, and check them out on Facebook.
Things You May Have Missed
Stefan Ozich Completes His Journey
Last week, Stefan Ozich completed his mammoth journey, running the length of New Zealand twice. What an absolute herculean effort💪!
Stefan is raising money for The Last Chance Project. The ACTUAL media has covered this, so you can read his story here.
I also just wanted to clarify—earlier in the week, I shared a story on Instagram saying Stefan ran the Te Araroa twice. This was incorrect. Stefan ran long sections of the TA but did make some detours due to weather and time constraints.
I’m not taking away from his achievement, but just to keep the record straight, the FKT for the double TA is still up for grabs if you’re up for a wee stroll.
Karell Sabbe Watch
Speaking of the TA … Karell Sabbe should be taking on the Tongariro crossing as you read this (Monday). So far, nothing has slowed him down. Not even the mud and treefall of Pirongia!
The picture above shows him on the map versus George Hendersons 2019 effort (current FKT). Barring disaster, the FKT looks like a shoe-in. Is he going to go Sabbe 30 days?
Bridget Johnson 11/11 Great Walk Update
Bridget Johnson has had quite the week. In last week’s newsletter, she had knocked off Waikaremoana, Tongariro Northern Circuit and had made a start on the Whanganui River.
Since then, she’s knocked off the rest of the river, the Abel Tasman, Heaphy, Paparoa, Routeburn, Milford and the Kepler track.
Today she will be taking on the newest great walk, Hump Ridge. Hump Ridge is known to be pretty anti-runner, so it’ll be interesting to see how she gets on.
If she doesn’t get sniped by an angry ranger on Hump Ridge, she will just have the infamous mud of Rakiura between her and sweet, sweet glory.
Southern Lakes Ultra 2026 Scholarship
Do you know someone looking for their next big challenge but might not have the resources to take it on? This could be just what they need.
Southern Lakes Ultra Stage Race announced this week that it is offering a $5,500- $6,500 scholarship for the 2026 race!
Caitlin Fielder Joins Adidas Terrex
Caitlin Fielder has left Salomon and joined Ruth Croft and Dan Jones at AdidasAotearoa Terrex. Croft and Jones have spoken highly of Adidas’s support, so this seems like a great move.
Nancy Jiang & Katie Wright Lock In Another Year
La Sportiva announced this week that both Nancy Jiang & Katie Wright are part of the La Sportiva international team, made up of only 18 athletes.
Considering how popular trail running has become, seeing so many of our athletes recognised on the world stage is awesome.
Revenant Founder Thinks You’re A Pussy
It’s official. The Revenant has had its final moments in the sun😥.
Scott Worthington has confirmed in an article by The Post that we’re all too f🤬cking soft to bother holding his tough AF race any longer.
This is what happens when we remove lead from paint, barbed wire from playgrounds and take ‘How to Carry a Dead Body” off the school curriculum😝.
You can read the article here.
January Paid Subscriber Giveaway
This month, 2 x Lucky Paid Subscribers will win an electrolyte bundle from HYDEE worth $240 large ones … It pays to be VIP
HYDEE? Never heard of them. Where have they been HYDEEING?
I’m going to be completely transparent - I have never tried HYDEE.
Chelsea slid up into my DM’s in December, and I’m a sucker for slick packaging.
HYDEE is a new player in the sweaty electrolyte market made here in NZ. Rather than waste it on me, I thought I would crowd-source whether it’s any good.
No artificial flavours or sweeteners - they’ve even kicked old Uncle Steve(ia) to the curb.
It comes in 2 strengths - “Everyday” & “Ultra”.
The Ultra comes with a big salty whack of 1000MG, perfect for a preload.
If you are victorious in the paid subscriber battle royal this month, you will win:
1 X 30 serving pouch of Everyday Electrolyte
1 X 30 serving pouch of Ultra Electrolyte
2 X 15 ‘On the go’ servings of Everyday & Ultra Electrolyte
How can you get HYDEE up in your orophus?
Sign up as a Paid Subscriber (if you’re not one already.)
It’s $5 a month. WTF can you buy for $5 these days?
Comment below or Email trailrunningnz@gmail.com to answer the following question:
What is the name inspired by? (check out the website & Insta)Get your name drawn out in the first week of Feb
To celebrate Andy Dubois recently subscribing to the newsletter, there will be one male & female winner.
Click Here & use the code ‘TRNZ’ for a 20% discount
A big THANK YOU to ALL the Paid Supporters who help keep this snowball rolling.
Upcoming Events:
Next weekend, there is … nothing on!
WTF🤯.
Are you telling me we have a free weekend in prime-time racing season, and we tried to pile 4 events in on December 14th last year?
Ah well. I’ll let it go now.
There are 2 reasons why this week’s newsletter is missing a few of the usual segments:
I’m still feeling a little bit pooped from yesterday’s race.
I’m keeping some of my powder dry for the next 2 weeks when there isn’t much happening.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the next event I can see on the schedule would be the Coast To Coast Mountain Run.
I haven’t covered that before, but if people are interested, I’m all for it.
#Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
This week’s #mountainskag is from Tom Everton’s weekend mission into the mighty Kawekas.
Now I know what you’re thinking. This is not a classic, perfect-looking mountain skag pic. But this is Tom Evertons’s first-ever Instagram post. Mountain Skag can make us do crazy things, and such behaviour should be rewarded!
Tag @trailrunning.nz (NOTE THE “.”) and use #mountainskag, DM on Instagram, or email trailrunningnz@gmail.com to enter.
Every entry has a chance to win the monthly giveaway of a Mountain Skag T-shirt.
Next week, we will have … some waffle with whipped cream filler. Send in some ideas of what you want me to serve up.
It takes hours to write this newsletter but only 8 seconds to forward it to a friend.
P.S. Do you need something fresh for your wank bank?
Check out this long-haired bafoon.
P.P.S. What an absolute rip-snorter of an event. There is a reason why this race has been around for 31 years.
On a personal note, it was great to put the race bib back on and start the year on a high. It was great to meet so many of you readers out on the trail and back at the finish line. Once again, thank you for all your support😎.
Yes!