🏃🏃♀️Munters seen Munting, Ridge Runners seen Running Ridges
"Then it clicked, all the white running shoes, all the drills”
Your weekly fix of NZ trail running news
We’re here for you like a Dyson StickVac—hyped up, super convenient, but, let’s face it, just a bit sh💩t at what it’s actually supposed to do
Here’s what’s in the drop bag this week:
🏃🏃♀️Pirongia Trail Run Results
🏃🏃♀️Ridge RunnerY Y Express Coromandel Results
🎖️Mission CornerDesk
🎯Things You May Have Missed
💰His & Her Events Giveaway
🟣Worst Run Ever by CurraNZ
🏁Upcoming events: WAI2K, Riverhead Rampage, Teetotal Traverse, Toi’s Challenge
⛰️💊Mountain Skag Pic of the Week
Note: Due to the length, some email browsers will hide some of the content - make sure you click ‘view entire email’ or click through to substack.
Pirongia Trail Race
Saturday, November 16
Pirongia is notorious for its steep climbs and deep bogs. The weather gods answered the bell on Friday, bringing torrential rain to the region and making sure this year’s munters, grunters, punters, and c … didn’t go home without getting mud up around the nips.
The Munter 📏36.70km | ⛰️2600M…ish
🏃Men’s Podium
🥇Jesse Whitehead - 6:03:42
🥈Ben Swift - 6:32:53
🥉Daryl Wheeler - 6:45:36
The first munted Munter across the line was Jesse WhiteMudhead. He was crowned King of the Bogs for 2024.
He set the pace early, escaping the mayhem of Munters (the collective noun for a group of munters) up the first big climb and taking a comfortable 29-minute victory over B Sizzle, AKA Ben Swift.
Daryl Wheeler, fresh off his 2nd place in the Trail Trilogy 100k (yeah, I missed it😣), hung tough to take out the Bronze. Interestingly. thats 2-0 to B-Sizzle, he also finished 4 minutes ahead of Dazza at this years Goat.
I couldn’t get hold of Jesse, so B-Sizzle answered the bell to tell us how his race went and what he thought of the course.
“The Pirongia Munter lived up to all the tales I’d been told, I was a bit worried for the track condition’s after a Friday full of torrential rain. So I showed up to the start line prepared for anything.”
“Off the jump a group of about 6 of us took off up the first climb, Jesse and Daryl put a gap on us once the climbing got a bit more technical. 1000m+ later we got to Pirongia summit and the hut, and then the mud started.”
“I left the hut in 3rd and was instantly in bogs above my short line. Probably the roughest section up to and after the Cone. I made steady progress down the Bell track and eventually caught Daryl (a seasoned Munter) we exchanged battle stories and he even tactially sent me through what he called the deepest bog on the course.”
“We ran into the Kaiwhaniwha aid station, but soon after I made my gap on the next 1000m+ climb. Jesse was long gone by this point, so I just climbed hard and descended harder to hold my 2nd place.”
“The Pirongia Trail run was an epic day out, and extremely well put on. My family and I had a great time, I would highly recommend giving this a crack one day. I’ll be back to take on the Munter again.”
Ben Swift (no relation)
🏃♀️ Women’s Podium
🥇Esther Coenradi - 8:12:44
🥈Melanie Parker - 8:27:55
🥉Roisin Quillan - 8:28:18
The Queen of the Bogs title was left vacated with 2-time champ and CR holder Natalie Bunting not on the start line.
Esther Coenradi made the most of the situation, putting in a dominating performance that saw her win by over 15 minutes. That’s enough time to attempt to untie your shoes, give up, and get your scissors out of your first aid kit and just cut the laces.
It was a tight battle for 2nd, with Melanie Parker battling with last year’s 3rd place Roisin Quillan. It would seem Parker loves a bog, having raced the Tararua Mountain Race earlier this year, I’m surprised she wasn’t at Rakiura Challenge last month!
Parker would do enough to take home the Silver, with Quillan now having a backup Bronze in her sock draw.
Bunting’s course record still stands at 7:39:24 - Who’s eyeing it up for 2025?
Check out the Full Results here, including the Grunter, Punter, Bunter, Hunter, and the Runter.
This Week’s Newsletter Is Brought To You By…
Wellington’s First Backyard Ultra!
🔫The battle will commence at 9 AM on Saturday, the 18th of Jan (Wellington Anniversary Weekend)
😎Basecamp is at Whareroa farm next to the Ramaroa Centre, 35minutes from Wellington CBD
🏃♀️The course is flat … for Wellington (70m). It features wetlands, dunes, kahikatea forest, and historical landmarks.
🎖️General Hayvice (Fiona) is in charge, so you know this will be designed with runners in mind.
The intake for M*A*S*H is limited to 150 recruits.
ENLIST NOW
Ridge Runner Coromandel
Saturday, November 16
180 runners turned up for Element Event’s first shake of the dice with Ridge Runner Coromandel.
That sounds like just the right amount. Enough to test your systems and have a great time, but not enough that if you f🤬ck it up, you’ll end up on the front page of The Herald (maybe just The Thames Times.)
📏24KM Results
🏃♀️Women’s Podium
🥇Helen Baggaley - 2:32:29
🥈Emily Evans - 2:38:32
🥉Gilly Davy - 2:38:46
Helen Baggaley … bagged herself the first-ever Ridge Runner Coromandel Trophy, crossing the line 6 minutes clear of the field.
Now, I’ve never set foot on the course, but that looks like a pretty hot time for 24km up, along, and down a ridge🔥.
Emily Evans and Gilly Davy battled it out for 2nd place like a couple of feral cats in a sack, with Evans doing enough to escape ahead by 14 seconds and get her paws on the Silver.
🏃Men’s Podium
🥇Dane Schnell - 2:12:41
🥈Matthew Gould - 2:15:31
🥉Ali Duffy - 2:22:21
Dane Schnell did his uncle Peter proud, finishing strong to claim Ridge Running glory ahead of Matthew GouldSilver.
Ali Duffy clung to a 22-second lead to outlast Tom Mckenzie and take home the Bronze.
Check out the Full Results here, including the 12KM Race.
Mission Corner Desk
I’ve been busy renovating over Winter. The old mission corner was getting a bit moldy and run down. Welcome to the new Mission Desk. Same sh💩t, different header.
Before we begin:
"This information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial mission advice. Please consult a licensed financial back country professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation."
Leading the Mission Desk this week is…
Craigieburn Round: Liv Martin - 37hours & change💪
Let me introduce to you the newest member of the slowly expanding Craigieburn Round club, Liv Martin.
It’s a short list (in order of completion).
Marty Lukes
Alastair McDowell
Greig Hamilton
Luke Whitehead
Sia Svendson
Kristina Anglem
Rose Pearson
Jean Beaumont
Liv Martin
I score that as 5-4 to the girls💪.
I’ve ripped this straight from Liv’s Instagram post.
“Craigieburn round - 110km, 8000 m vert. I set out with one goal - get around it. While the wheels fell off around the 85km mark but I hung on till the end, proud as heck. I set out starting from Lake Lyndon (a recomendation from Marty himself), I was rewarded with a stunning sunrise and moody sunset on day one on the craigieburn range.”
“After a refuel and restock at the iconic cass railway station I set off down the gravel road. Here I had some company with James on the bike, unfortunately he was out of running action so joined me here instead of the torlese range. I surprised myself by being able to keep a steady jog for the 25km road section.”
“At the end of the road I woke up Lewis and we set off for Avoca homestead, broken river was high and fast and even scarier at 4 in the morning. But grabbing onto each other's bumbags we safely made it across. Now I just had the torlese range left. Sleep deprivation really started to hit along the ridge, I hadn't slept at all.”
“But one very sore foot in front of the other at a time meant we started ticking off the peaks. The kms ticked by and so did the vert, foggy peak once again lived up to its name and we were in thick cloud.”
“Finally we made it down to the road. I downed some coke and set off for trig M part way up the caffeine and sugar kicked it and I switched up a gear or two, desperate to finish and finish strong. The last descent was a killer on the knees. But I'd made it back to the car.”
“ I was so pleased to finally kick off the trusty bushidos, just over 37hrs on the go with no sleep I'd done it. So thankful for everyone who helped me along the way and supported me❤️ what a year it's been so far with my first ultra on the first day of the year, bring on some more summer missions, I think I'm hooked.”
Well done Liv, that is next level. Your first Ultra on the first day of this year, and now you’ve just knocked out one of the toughest Mountain Challenges in the country? Kudos👍.
Next, we’re crossing to the mighty Tararua Range to catch the latest SK news, the original “we need a Bob Graham type thingy.”
Tarn SK: Hamish Meyrick - 18h55m💪
I’ve never met Hamish, but Brendan Varty and Jonothan Armstrong have given him more kudos than Simon Angus, a Strava bot. He featured in the last news out of the SK News desk completing a reverse Tarn SK route in 22h24m.
He was back at it like a crack addict, this time running the traditional Putara > Kaitokie direction. His key swap partner in crime? Fully-fledged Mountain Skag fanatic Brendan Varty, starting in the depths of Upper Hutt Hardcore (we will get to him shortly).
Hamish couldn’t have picked a better day. Low wind, sunny, temperatures not too high. Kellogs just right.
Hamish completed the route in 18h55m, landing him in 6th on the all-time list. Impressive. Surely, a turn right at Arete is on the cards this summer to get the Main Range on the resume.
Hamish found time between sleeping, eating, and planning his next mission to reply to my email.
Can you describe the feeling as you ran down the fence line into the carpark of glory in Kaitokie, stopping your watch and seeing 18h55m?
“The feeling was thank f🤬ck I don’t have to sleep in the car with the road being closed at 9pm.”
“The aim was to finish before that and at 20:10 I was done. a tap of the sign and a quick photo and I was off back over the hill home and showered before 9pm.”
Is the main range on the matrix for this summer?
“I have a big summer planned.”
Yuuus, big on intention and vague in detail. How mysterious. I will be keeping my eyes peeled.
Brendan Varty: Tarn KS: 17h20m💪
6 weeks ago, Brendan lay injured and cold in the world’s biggest patch of leather wood, only a couple hours from his destination, wondering if a chopper could land after pulling his PLB.
The chopper wouldn’t be able to make it until sunrise. It was a long, cold night—just you and your mind. I’m sure Brendan visited some places deep inside the corners of his soul that night.
Jump forward to last week. He lined up again in the Carpark of Glory, ready to right the wrong. Nothing in life is guaranteed. This is especially true in the mountain playgrounds we all love so much.
I got emotional seeing Brendan post on social media that he had made it. I had my own experience of a long night out on the same route. I didn’t experience the same conditions, but I know what that mix of relief and disappointment feels like.
Not only did Brendan right the wrong, but he also lowered his overall SK record and set the reverse route record.
Big shout out to Brendan’s Dad, who endured his own horrendous night out 6 weeks ago. He was the one who received the message that Brendan had pulled his PLB. Waiting to hear what’s happened to your son must be one of the worst feelings there is. To give his blessing to go again shows the relationship these two must have.
Alright, as you were. That’s all the soft, gooey feeling sh💩t for today.
Things You May Have Missed
Run Pōneke Is Back From The Dead
Well, back from the never lived might be more technically correct.
Either way, an excited Will Cass popped up in my inbox this week announcing that Run Pōneke was back on and looking better than ever😎.
They’ve got a new venue, in a better spot, and it already has showers and toilets. F🤬cking genius.
Will has offered up a 10-trip Sauna voucher as a prize to TRNZ readers.
Winning is simple.
Make a pledge (it doesn’t matter the size) and send a screenshot of your pledge to trailrunningnz@gmail.com to enter the draw.
Will will draw the winner at the campaign’s close on the 16th of December.
If you’ve already pledged, you can still enter the draw.
The Peak Trail Blazer Raised 30 Big Ones
650 runners turned up to race The Peak Trail Blazer, featuring a race up and down Te Mata Peak, raising over $30,000 for the Te Mata Park Trust and Havelock North Primary School.
But let’s be honest, we’re all about the winners here. Congratulations to Grace McConnochie & Dougie Kyle for taking home the glory💪.
Tarawera Scores An Own Goal
There was plenty of outrage last week on the punishing Tarawera Facebook page. The above FB/Insta story went up this week with a quote from last year’s 2nd place Beth Mckenzie, mentioning taking Voltaren if you’re having a bad day.
The OG Tarawera crew (Kerry Suter and Paul Charteris) condemned the statement, but as far as I can tell, no one from the Tarawera administration has said anything. This is my shocked face🤣.
I’ve dragged myself along to the race briefings at Tarawera before. I must have missed the part where they said if you’re not having a great day, just get on the NSAIDs.
My advice?
But if you’re going to anyway… take Sam The Man’s advice from his Worst Run Ever and hit the shrooms. You’ll have a much better time.
Latest Outdoor Newsletter Rankings
It looks like I shot myself in the foot, giving Jub from Chur New Zealand a shoutout last week. He’s leapfrogged me, and if it weren’t for Dan Jones, he would be sitting pretty on top of the latest November rankings.
🥳November Paid Subscriber Giveaway
If you’ve been thinking of running a backyard, this might be what you need to push you over the edge or take you to the next level.
This month, I’m putting up a His & Her Event Kit for 1 lucky crazy paid subscriber.
In the kit you get the following:
1 x 3x3m Gazebo with walls
1 x OZtrail recliner chair
1 x 50L chilli bin
1 x Tarp Floor
1 x 1.2m table
1 x 24 pocket wall hanger
The best part? They set it all up for you. No more battling away with your neighbours 2 man pop up tent you borrowed at the last minute😝.
To enter the draw is simple:
Write a letter to Santa telling him which Backyard you want to run and why you deserve to win this awesome prize.
Be willing to write a short 200-300 word review if you win.
You can see which events the His & Her Eventz are available at here, email me at trailrunningnz@gmail.com or comment on theNewsletterr to enter.
The winner will be drawn in the first week of December.
Worst Run Ever by UTMB 🟣CurraNZ
Adam Carlson has put his hat in the ring once again.
This is more of a rant with a badly stuck-on fake mustache, but I’m not picky.
Why No Hi?
"It was a casual Friday morning, before work run. It short, 6km. I was on the local out and back by the lake."
"In the first km I saw about 6 other runners, unusual, generally I’d see less than that on the whole run."
"I waved - nothing.
I said “morning” - nothing.
“Morena” - nothing.
“Kia Ora” - nothing.""I ran past about 40 other runners on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
I greeted 40 runners.
I got one response… one, thanks to the girl who smiled and said “hi” back. Oh and an older dude in hiking boots walking his dog, he was great, a proper greeting."
"WTF. Where’s the community?
What’s going on? It was like running in Auckland.
I was disheartened, disillusioned, a little angry but generally sad.
I’ve never had such a shit response rate.
Be nice, say Hi."
"Then it clicked, all the white running shoes, all the drills.
It wasn’t Queenstown today, it was Shakeout City. The Qt marathon was tomorrow, everyone’s doing their all important 7am shakeout runs.
It may be a reason, but it’s not an excuse.
Be nice, say Hi."
Thanks for the story, Adam. I’m sorry you had to go through that.
Imagine how bad it would have been if all those flights weren’t canceled!
You’re in the draw for some little purple pills from 🟣CurraNZ.
It won’t make pavement pounders any happier, but if you win, you’ll be happy knowing all those pricks helped you win some party pills.
Keep the stories coming in! Send them to trailrunningnz@gmail.com
They can be short or long. Funny😂 or sad😭. You can own it, or it can be made anonymous. They can even have a happy ending.
Upcoming Events
The WAI2K - Waiarapa > Upper Hurt
Saturday, November 23
There is a tonne on next weekend, but I’m leading with the WAI2K. Mainly because I’m also “running” in it.
If you haven’t heard of the WAI2K, it’s run by Gareth Thomas from WUU2K.
The WUU2K was Gareth’s first big radio hit. Everyone loves the WUU2K.
The WAI2K is Gareth’s solo side project. You know, when an artist gets famous and goes solo, releasing the music they ACTUALLY want to write under some obscure name and only on vinyl.
If you’re a fan of his original hit, you may hate this. Or you’ll love him even more.
Like vinyl, this has an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ side.
‘A’ Side:
📏25km 👆1200m
📏12km 👆500m
You’ve got the free-flowing, fast, runnable courses on the ‘A’ side.
‘B’ Side:
📏100km 👆4000m
📏50km 👆2000m
Then you’ve got the ‘B’ side. You should expect …
Lots of hiking. Then, too much running.
Wilderness. Relentless hills … then no hills when you want there to be hills. And if you’re running the 100k, a big f🤬cking hill when you don’t want there to be one.
Horrendous in parts. Amazing in others.
If you’re smart, you’ve entered in the 50km. It’s easily the best course from a nice trail-to-distance ratio.
If you’re stupid like me, you’ve entered the 100km.
This year, it’s the Long Trail National Championships, appointed by Afflettuce NZ.
I was hoping this would see a boom of people entering in the 100km so I wouldn't be at risk for the wooden spoon; unfortunately, much like Crater Rim 85km before, this is looking like a small affair (35 starters after some late withdrawals.)
How would I describe the 100km? It’s been 4 years since I ran it, the course has changed slightly, but the core elements are still there.
I would describe it as a course designed by an utter psychopath.
You know those kids that pull wings off flies just to see what happens?
That is the 100km course.
It slowly and methodically pulls off each wing. It then slowly pushes you to the edge, then with a big evil smile, flicks you off the edge, screaming
“TRY FLY NOW MOTHER F🤬🤬🤬ER”.
Last time I found out I couldn’t fly without wings. I left half my skin strewn along the ground where I crash-landed. Awkwardly crawling, crying, and willing my way to the finish.
If it sounds like maybe I’m losing my mind, it’s because I am. The taper crazy is taking over, apart from I havent done enough running to taper, so it’s just plain old crazy.
Check out the website for more details, or follow on Facebook, it’s not to late to enter.
Other Events Next Weekend
Rage Against Riverhead
Saturday/Sunday, November 23/24
Rage Against Riverhead is an 8, 12, or 24-hour relay race in the … you guessed it, Riverhead Forest in Auckland.
You can run solo or in teams of 2, 4, or 6 people, completing as many 5km trail laps as possible (non-stop) in either 8, 12, or 24 hours.
With all the Backyard events that Shaun from Lactic Turkey Events times he must be relieved that this one is only going for 24hours!
For more info, click here and check out on Facebook for the latest news.
Teetotal Traverse
Sunday, November 24
The Teetotal Traverse is back for its 2nd year. The event takes place in the Teetotal Flats / Big Bush Conservation Area on the edge of the Nelson Lakes National Park.
Not that you ever need a reason to visit Nelson Lakes, but this looks like a great excuse if you’re in the area with a Half Marathon, 13km run, and an 8km run/walk option.
All proceeds go to local charities, and it’s no surprise to see Graeme West (part of the long-standing Abel Tasman organizers) on the board.
For more info, click here and check out Active4Good on Facebook for the latest news.
Toi’s Challenge
Sunday, November 24
The Toi's Challenge in Whakatāne is the annual trail run and walk event organized by the Whakatāne Athletic & Harrier Club.
If you’ve ever been to Ohope or Whakatane over the summer holidays, there's a good chance you’ve run part of the course. The race is an 18 km loop on the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi track, which literally means 'In the Footsteps of Toi', after the Maori chief Toi who ruled the area some 800 years ago.
Warning, if you don’t like steps, do not enter this race!
For more info, click here and check out Facebook for the latest news.
#Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
This week’s Mountain Skag pic of the week is of Liv Martin during her Craigieburn round. I love a good action shot. Look at that technical descent, with the ridge line poking out the top of the clag. A thing of beauty.
Tag @trailrunning.nz (NOTE THE “.”) and use #mountainskag 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 or hat.
PS: The chances of me getting the newsletter out next Monday are about the same as me finishing the race. I’ll let you guys decide what that % is🤣.