🏁Upcoming events: Kings Backyard Ultra, Kaiteriteri Gold, VERT DAY
⛰️💊Mountain Skag of The Week
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The Bay Results
Saturday, May 24
‘The Bay’ got underway early Saturday morning in near-perfect running conditions. What else would you expect from Sunny Nelson?
Last year, just under 200 runners across four races sped off power-hiked their way around the Cable Bay Adventure Park. This year? 338! It’s great to see another new event growing.
There are no splits on the results, and we’ve got a big ol sandwich to chew through this week, so I’ll keep this as short as my trail running podium results.
📏50KM | ⛰️3000M
Women’s podium:
🥇Roisin McQuillan - 6:59:01
🥈Sam Pearson - 8:01:10
🥉Tracy Hill - 8:21:16
Roisin McQuillan had a victorious return to The Bay after narrowly finishing 4th last year in a battle with Kate Annan.
The Matamata local is used to frequenting the podium in the upper North, but I THINK this is her first Southern victory.
She ran 8:15:10 last year, accounting for the 5km less this year, I’m gonna say she had a much better day out💪.
Sam Pearson, who finished 4th in the 24km last year, would be next to fall over the line just over an hour later, with Tracy Hill claiming the Bronze.
Men’s podium:
🥇Aditya Kesarcodi-Waston - 5:25:45
🥈Jamie Hareb - 5:45:27
🥉Adam Gausel - 5:53:48
Defending champ Aditya Kesarcodi-Waston got the job done one week after running the UTA 100. That makes things simple for me! I’m always looking for new ways to recycle.
(CTRL+V)Nelson local Aditya Kesarcodi-Waston CRUSHED ‘The Bay’ 55km50km course.
Just like in the women’s race, daylight was 2nd before a string of runners went back and forth, with Matthew MoloneyJamie Hareb being next over the line, with Sarn HunnisettAdam Gauselrounding out the podium.
This may or may not be an Upcycled podium pic from last year after some Instagram stalking
Aditya Kesarcodi-Waston was kind enough to give us his take on his 2nd spin around ‘The Bay’ AKA his backyard.
“As defending champ, I got free entry this year, and I’m a sucker for free stuff!”
“I had a deadline of Wed (4 days after UTA100) to let the race director know If I’d run, and although my legs were still pretty sore on Wed, I decided to give it a crack- but had thought I’d just cruise it to enjoy it, and to support my local race.”
“I started the race casual, chatting to my mate Adam, but we were still in top 3, then I was leading but still cruising. I was still cruising until 22km, when I saw that 2nd place wasn’t too far behind me, and then my natural competitive instincts kicked in, and I pushed a bit harder for the win.”
“It wasn’t how I’d planned to run, but I suppose it’s harder than I thought to contain the competitor inside me. Great runs by Jamie and Adam too.”
Aditya Kesarcodi-Waston
Someone who wasn’t ‘cruising’ was Founding TRNZ subscriber Sean Martin. He traveled from Wellington to see how the Nelson hills match up to his local. Turns out, pretty well! Sean took 9th overall and 1st old bugger (50+) - here's his take on ‘The Bay’.
“Beautiful, but brutal course. Stellar day views for Africa. Not often you get to run around a private island. I was looking out for the little bloke Tattoo from Fantasy Island...some taxing ascents and descents the course kept asking questions of your body.”
Sean Martin
"Why do they call it The Bay?" Photo: Sean Martin
Thanks for that, Sean! Well done proving your old man status with a Fantasy Island reference😝.
📏34KM | ⛰️2442
Men’s podium:
🥇Patrick Dravitzki - 3:28:24
🥈Chester Holt-Quick - 3:32:01
🥉George Hedley - 3:44:47
Patrick Dravitzki, fresh off smashing the Nelson GET FKT segment, took the race out hard, with the travelling Chester Holy-Quick Batman! the only one whose legs accepted the challenge.
The race was tight through the middle stages, but unfortunately for Chester, the Batmobile was overdue for a service. In the final third, Dravitzki ran away with it to take victory by 3m37s.
Holt-Quick held it together to finish strong, comfortably 12 minutes ahead of George Hedley, who will be heading back to Christchurch with a new Bronze medal.
Women’s podium:
🥇Charlotte Hand - 3:58:00
🥈Elina Ussher - 4:00:06
🥉India Hansen - 4:15:50
Charlotte Hand and Elina Ussher went at it like a couple of off-leash dogs on Tahuna Beach😂.
Ussher, the 20-time Coast to Coast legend and former champ.
VS
Hand, fresh off a 3rd place at 3 Peaks + 1 and being selected for the NZ trail team heading to Spain.
The lead changed … hands multiple times before Hand passed Ussher, 2km from the finish, and her Feet took over. She broke the 4-hour mark and took the win over Ussher by just over 2 minutes😎.
India Hansen also had a strong race, 15 minutes back to take the Bronze.
Charlotte took some time out of her busy day at work to answer a couple of questions:
How did the race play out at the front?
“I spent 28km playing cat and mouse with Elena (Ussher) -she’s an absolute powerhouse on the steep ascents leaving me in the dust but I managed to chase her on the descents.”
“The last climb at 28km I waved goodbye to Elena as she boosted up the hill leaving me behind. I was shocked to come round a corner and see her with 2km to go and just put my head down and hung on to the end.”
What were your impressions of the Bay 34k race and event as a whole?
“Such an epic event! Felt pretty lucky to get to run around Pepin Island since it’s private land. Out the gate views of the coast while battling some brutal steep climbs on farmland and techy single track sections to keep me on my toes.”
“ I’ll be back for round 2 next year- 34km of varied terrain and a whole lot of up and downs, perfect training for Spain!”
Thanks for that Charlotte, all the best with your training for Spain!
Click Here for the full results, including the 25 km & 9 km races.
You can follow The Bay on Facebook to check out some of the event photos
This Week’s Newsletter Is Brought To You By…
Merrell Race Tekapo - September 13 2025
They’ve got mountains, a lake, and your new phone lock screen.
The Taniwha was back this weekend in its flash new May Calendar spot.
Having moved forward from November, I was interested to see what the entries looked like, having only run 6 months ago.
Well, this year, there were 951 entrants across the 3 distances (including walkers), which is 254 more entries.
And it wasn’t just from a big participation push in the shorter distances. The Marathon went from 63 to 115, and the half from 139 to 195.
That’s great for the event's future - maybe TotalSport should also throw in another edition in November?
Here’s a quick look at the podium below.
📏42KM Results
🏃♀️Women’s Podium
🥇Mel Aitken - 3:35:36
🥈Nikki Heale - 4:06:06
🥉Amore Strauss - 4:09:08
🏃Men’s Podium
🥇Matthew Hallam - 3:13:12
🥈Brent Wilson - 3:19:23
🥉Richard Ellison - 3:24:35
Check out the Full Results here, including the 22km,16km & 7km races
Bay Of Islands Running Festival Recap
Last Sunday, the Bay of Islands Running Festival took place, and I was a bit off the boil when finding the results. Here’s a link to the RESULTS.
Hayden Bell from Sport Northland sent through the below recap:
“The 2025 TMNZ Bay of Islands Run Walk Festival delivered another memorable day of off-road adventure in the Far North, despite a tricky lead-up thanks to Cyclone Tam.”
“The weather event forced a few last-minute course adjustments, but come race day, conditions were near perfect. Over 950 participants took part across the 6km walk, 8.7km run, 22km trail half marathon, and the second edition of the Trek Trail and Fish 50km Ultra.”
“With runners travelling from as far as Wellington, Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty, the event had a real national buzz. Notably, 30% of the ultra finishers were tackling their very first 50km—highlighting the growing appeal of grassroots ultra running in Aotearoa.”
“For 50km runners, the course featured a fresh twist this year, with access to previously unraced trails in the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, alongside the usual rugged forestry roads of the Waitangi Forest.”
“In the half marathon, Elliot Weinberg claimed the men’s win in 1:34:35, with Andy Thornton (1:36:12) and Teifi Drew (1:38:40) rounding out the podium.”
“On the women’s side, Ady McKenzie took a strong win in 1:40:44, followed by Mariona Wesselo-Comas (1:57:39) and Charlotte Webby (1:59:32).”
“In the 50km Ultra, Michael Lea stormed home in 4:00:27 to take the men’s win in his second ever Ultra, with Allan Staite (4:13:53) and Trey Subritzky (4:22:30) close behind.”
“Caris Teo led the women’s field in 4:42:26, followed by Emma Pescini (4:44:30) and ultra veteran Shannon-Leigh Litt in 5:04:24.”
“With strong community support, an evolving course, the Bay of Islands Run Walk Festival is becoming a bucket-list race on the NZ trail calendar.”
First up, we’ve got one from the international results desk. Damian Watson cruuushed the Wildhorse 200 (Miles), setting a new record of 51 hours, 56 minutes😎.
I don’t know anything about this race, but 200 miles in 51 hours, regardless of the course, is impressive - I’m guessing the Welsh like it rough as well. Fantastic racing, Damian💪.
Sam Harvey #205 Cocodona 250 Wait List
The Dot watching mixed with the Live stream action this year at Cocodona 250 was next level. Sam Harvey thrown in the mix? YES PLEASE🤤. I would love to see Sam bring the pain to a big race like Cocodona. Fingers crossed🤞.
1 week off from another UTA Disaster
What a difference one week can make! The Blueys were annihilated by the latest crazy weather system wreaking havoc in Straya. UTA has had some rough years with the weather causing havoc with the course; fingers crossed, there’s no long-term damage.
SK Awards Night This Tuesday(27th)
Big Sunday Run Wellington is hosting the annual SK Awards tomorrow (Tuesday the 27th), at the Southern Cross Bar in the function room.
The run starts at 6:45 pm sharp from the front of the pub, with the awards beginning around … 8ish. (Get there early, just in case.)
The awards are a chance for the extraordinary endurance feats of those brave enough to take on the SK to be formally recognised (apparently, Strava Kudos isn’t enough).
Dunedin Pun Rubbers Rub To The Pub
Photo: Steve Tripp
8 Dunedin Pun Rubbers set off Saturday to find a new peak that would give them the edge for Vert Day after realising that Mt. Cargill isn’t going to cut it.
They got to the Glenorchy Hotel before realising that maybe they should merge with the Queenstown contingent. The OCR at Glenorchy Hotel was 8.2 (Official Chip Rating).
TRNZ Storming Up The Charts
After years of floating between #5-#7 on the NZ Trail Running newsletter charts, I’ve found another obscure ranking to strive for.
Top 100, Get in! I have no idea how the rankings work or what category they’re for, but Substack seemed to think I should be pretty stoked with it. Thank you, the reader. Without you, I couldn’t dominate Kyle Long and Baseball Buddha.
☢️WARNING FREE STUFF- RACE ENTRIES☢️
Now, it’s no secret that the WAI2K gets me sweaty between my toe socks.
So, I’m stoked to announce that Race Director extraordinaire Gareth Thomas has generously hooked me up with a free entry for each distance — 12km, 25km, 50km, and 100km — to give away to four lucky members of the Trail Running NZ Paid Supporters crew (HOT TIP: There’s been a lot of entries but no ones taken a stab at the 12km yet)
If you missed your invite to Spain for the World Champs this year, the 100km race is once again the NZ Long Course champs. Come crush it at WAI2K to give yourself the best shot of making it on the next NZ team.
Mt Frith track, one of the WAI2K highlights.
If you know 2/5’s of sweet FA about the WAI2K, check out my in-depth preview HERE.
To enter the competition is simple.
Make sure you’re a paid subscriber. It’s less than a post long run BP Pie a month.
Answer the following question: What was the last thing Simon said to Gareth in his favourite memory of the WAI2K? (Hint, you might need to follow a link) Email trailrunningnz@gmail.com with your answer and the distance you want to win an entry.
Winners will be drawn on Saturday, the 31st, so you can enter as entries open on Sunday, June 1st. Race day is Saturday, November 22nd. (Entries are for 2025 only and are non-transferable.)
Mission Desk
This week at the Mission Desk, we’ve got a quick Q&A with Allira Hanczakowski and Max Kempthorne, who completed a double Southern Crossing of the Tararua a couple of weeks ago.
📏77.63km, ⛰️4,972m ⌛21:09:43
From my 4 minutes of research, this appears to be only the 3rd recorded successful completion. Probably for good reason. Who the f🤬🤬k wants to “run” Marchant Ridge twice?
Whose bright idea was a double Southern Crossing and how long had you been thinking about it?”
Allira: This one is on Max! I had the thought in the back of my mind for a while but Max had put it in the forefront a few weeks earlier, so when I saw the forecast in the lead up to the weekend, I told him now was the chance!
Max: Yeah,the intial idea was mine. I tried it solo a few weeks before and arrived in Otaki Forks feeling fresh, but it just wasn't to happen that day. Allira was the one keen to try repeat it so soon after though, she watched the weather (and moon phases) and suggested the new attempt date.
Doc Sign Selfies in the dark is a skill in itself!
Did everything go to plan, or did you have to adjust your expectations along the way?
Allira: It was a pretty simple plan, to be honest! I think in the Tararuas, you always need to adjust your expectations of how long things will take though - adding the Tararua time tax meant we were out there a bit longer than expected, and we were both slightly late to our respective Mother's Day dinners!
Max: I definitely had high hopes of a quicker time. I did not factor in how much slower you travel at night, and just how fatigued my legs were from the previous weekend (quick trip up Arete). So arrived in Otaki Forks about an hour behind my initial thoughts and feeling like my legs were about to fall off. No chance of matching that time on the return let alone making up time, but never any doubt that we would get there... eventually.
Good weather helps!
Any advice for someone who’s thinking about doing the same?
Allira:It's definitely worth waiting for an ideal weather window (ideally full moon and a still night)! Also doing the first crossing at night so the second crossing is in the daylight works well and is a great morale boost at the tricky turnaround point.
Max:I guess I would recommend looking at other routes first. Repeating the same route in reverse (particularly when a part of it is Marchant ridge) is just particularly gruelling. Definitely don't take it lightly. Waiting for longer days will make a huge difference, and it is well worth waiting for a good weather window with a clear night. Something pretty magical about being on the main range looking up at the stars and seeing the town glows in the distance.
I’m no body language expert, BUT I think Max is assuming the “Thank F*ck That’s over position
Thanks for that, Allira & Max. That’s a big shift!
If you want to find out more about the Southern Crossing, here’s the Doc description, or have a read through the Tararua Mountain Race website, as it is a race across the Southern Crossing.
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial mission advice. Please consult a licensed financial backcountry professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Upcoming Events:
Kings Back Yard, Whangarei
Saturday, May 31 … to Monday?
Next up on the NZ Backyard Circus is King’s Backyard Ultra by His & Her Events in Whangarei. The little backyard that could.
It was a Backyard bonanza if you cast your mind back to this time last year. Anyone who was anyone was doing all they could to finish in the overall top 15 to grab their spot on the NZ team.
Enter Kings Backyard.
2024 was it’s first suck on the soft flask, and with just 78 starters ( 50% newbies), I don’t think anyone expected what would happen over the long weekend.
After 52 hours and 348.92 km, AKT AKA Anthony Kerr-Taylor was crowned the inaugural Kings Backyard Champ and the NZ Venue record holder (Sam Harvey ran close to double at Dead Cow in Straya🦘.
AKT coming in to finish his title winning 52nd lap.
Now we’re back for 2025, and the event is close to being sold out (it is capped at 100).
Will Kings produce another record-breaking weekend?
AKT is back to defend the throne, with last year’s assist, Simon McLean, also making the trip North. The last time these two ran together in a backyard was for NZ at the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. On that weekend, AKT put up 45 yards, with McLean balling out with 65.
Only three people went better at the NZ event —and one of them is on the start line: Glenn Tomlinson from Waihemo, who put up 69 yards (can I get a giggity?).
Last year’s Last Women Standing, the one and only Ketina Chivasa, is back. I’m pretty sure she ran nearly every BYU in the country last year, with a top finish of 2nd overall to Fiona Hayvice at River Run BYU.
She will have her hands full to retain the LWS title though, as Jane McAlpine is coming to town. She was in and out of the NZ team last year before finally getting selected due to an injury withdrawal. Jane made the most of her selection, putting up 43 yards at Otematata.
My predictions:
The King's CR is broken by the farmer from down south, Glenn Tomlinson. He’s not coming up from the South for a cuppa, surely it’s a business trip.
I think The Last Women Standing will jump well up from 26 last year into the mid-30s with Jane McAlpine getting her hands on the Kauri.
All the best to those who entered and the His & Her Events crew.
If you missed out on ‘The Bay’ but are in the Tasman Region, check out Kaiteriteri Gold next Sunday.
I’ll let my boots on the ground, Gazza Southside, give you the rundown.
“The Event started back in 1991, all roads with trail running shoes awaiting invention.”
“It’s been “tweaked” a few times, but now it’s all within the majestic Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park courtesy of the Recreation Reserve and their support.”
“Only 200 metres or so on tarseal, so those of you holding Fulton Hogan Traffic Management Shares, BAD LUCK.”
“Options are Half Marathon, 16km or 8km..a few “lumps” along the way but MTB’s have gears as do bodies!”
“Kids are catered for in their 3km Mini Trail..enough to rest their eyes on the way home rather than count Possums.”
“Around 300 will be on the start line, with this sure to swell once you click onto www.kaiteriterigold.org, as No Entries on the day, please.”
VERT Day (Free Virtual Event)
Saturday/Sunday, May 31st & June 1st
RE: What’s Vert day?
I got this email a couple of weeks back, and I’ve only just replied. But since Vert Day is this coming weekend, I thought it might be better just to copy and paste my reply for everyone’s enlightenment.
Hey Rich - thanks for the email! How’s the weather treating you up in the Big Smoke?
As for your question - “Whats Vert Day?”
Look, I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of Vert Day. It might come as quite a shock, but outside of Auckland, there are trails that go higher then 200m above sea level, some even up mountains. A bit like going up the stairs of the Sky Tower, but a bit dirtier and with trees and sh-t.
Vert Day is a free virtual event where people who like going up and down hills see how many vertical gain meters they can collect in 24 hours. Typically people do it in a group to keep the stoke high and the whinging low.
It started with Big Sunday Run Wellington and Canterbury competing to see which Region could collectively run the most vertical meters.
Christchurch dominated the early years on the Pipe of Pain, but Wellington has come back stronger then ever, using the Dawn Wall in Chamonaenae as base camp.
Last year Nelson and Queenstown also got involved, with Queenstown looking to catch the big dogs out this year with a concerted recruitment drive.
Now, just because you don’t have any mountains up your way doesn’t mean you can’t get involved. All you really need is a steep AF hill, even if you only get 50m a whack, as long as you can grind that MF all day and night you can be a serious threat. Get a few mates along and you’re golden.
How much Vert should you be aiming for? It’s a bit like a Backyard Ultra, just go one more. It’s a chance to stretch what you think you’re capable of.
But if you really do need a target, 100m of vert for every year you’ve been on the planet is a great place to start.
10 years | ⛰️1000M 30 years | ⛰️3000M 72 years | ⛰️7200M
It may seem counterintuitive.
It gets harder as you get older.
But it gets easier as you get harder.
Here are some resources for you to help you get started.
I also encourage you to donate to the Himalayan Trust, which funds projects that provide better health and education for remote communities in Nepal.
Anyway, I hope that helps answer “What is Vert Day” and you get out and do some one tree hill reps or something.
Bradley
That pretty much sums it up.
Here's Peter Robinson with the game plan to give Queenstown a fighting chance at boosting their rookie numbers from last year.
“We are meeting at 6 am at the wooded carpark at 1 mile roundabout, bottom of Fernhill. Lapping out the Fernhill climb all day. Late comers welcome.”
“Also we are aiming to take down the larger metropolitan areas via the NZ olympic medal table rules. Vert per capita. Or at least beat the Wanaka wankers”
Click here to show your interest in the FB event, or contact Pete if you have any questions.
If you still have questions about Vert Day or are looking for a team to work with, just reply to this email.
#Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
This week's line is from returning addict, Adam Carlson.
“That’s highbrow mountain skag of dawn over Routeburn Flats on a yo-yo of the Routeburn Track.”
Thanks for that Adam, It looks cold AF, but absolutely worth it. That come down is gonna suck!
PS. Next weeks edition will be out on Tuesday due to old Big Ears Birthday. Happy Mountain Skag hunting to those getting after it, and if the weathers shite, it might be time to put pen to paper and send in your ‘Worst Run Ever’!
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