🏃🏃♀️Trail Running NZ 2024, The Year That Was
Thank you everyone for a great 2024
Your weekly fix of NZ trail running news
Here’s what’s in the drop bag this week:
🧐2024 Trail Running NZ Roundup
🎯Things You May Have Missed
🟣Worst Run Ever by CurraNZ
🏁Upcoming Events
⛰️💊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.
2024 Trail Running NZ Roundup
WARNING: The following section might be a bit self-indulgent
And just like that, the second year of reporting on all things trail running in NZ has flown by.
What started as a bit of fun has turned into a weekly ritual. There are currently 1483 subscribers (probably 1469 once I offend a few people this week with the words sh💩t, f🤬ck & flaps) - I can’t imagine standing up and talking in front of 10 people, let alone 1483, thank God Killian for email😌.
Some weeks, I sit down on a Sunday night, wondering how to cram it all in. Others, I wonder why the f🤬ck I didn’t do more through the week. But knowing people are sitting on the loo at work, furiously refreshing their email at 8.23 AM for this email, always gets me on track and over the line.
So a big thank you to all you, the readers. And an even bigger THANK YOU to the paid subscribers who sacrifice a few gels a month to financially support this train wreck🤟.
Anyway … let’s get into it.
DJ Spin that sh💩t, let’s take a look at the year that was 2024.
Tarawera As Popular As Ever
I love a good dig at Tarawera. Whether it’s the cheesy AF “trails of heart” slogan, the new insurance logo and colour scheme, or just a good old left hook at Ironman.
I get it. We all see the entry prices and cringe. But deep down, we all know it’s still an awesome event to run, with a great vibe and the most competitive fields in the country.
What makes it special is that we see our top homegrown talent measure up to elite international competition. This year, we saw a host of our top trail runners succeed.
Ruth Croft got her season underway with a commanding victory in the 102km, with Nikki Everton from the mighty Hawkes Bay taking third. Dan Jones made it 2/2 in the 102km, signalling more of what was ahead for 2024.
Caitlin Fielder won her 3rd 50km at the event, and Konoka Azumi controlled the Miler from start to finish.
The men’s Miler resembled a 50km race early on, so it was no surprise that Sam Harvey was in the thick of the chaos. He gave Adrian MacDonald all he could handle, finishing 2nd in 15:29:53.
Sam Harvey Is Not A One-Trick Pony
Speaking of Sam Harvey - what a year he’s had, putting the trail running world on notice. He’s gone from ‘The Backyard Ultra guy’ to an out-and-out threat at any trail race he turns up to.
2024 Results:
🥈Tarawera 100 Mile
🥈Mt Oxford 50km
🥇Faultline 50km
🥇Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra
🥇Krayzies Midwinter Backyard Ulta
🥇Satellite World Backyard Ultra World Champs (#1Kiwi)
🥇Kosciosko 100 Mile
🥇Spectacle 50KM
I expect to see more of the same this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sam on top of the podium at Tarawera this year.
Backyard Ultra’s Still Growing in NZ
This time last year, I thought we must be close to peak Backyard Ultra in NZ. But I was wrong. The Backyard bug has continued to spread around the country like chlamydia through an Otago Uni hall😂.
Highlights this year included:
The NZ team finishing 6/63 countries at the Satellite World Champs
Julia Chamberlain setting the women’s NZ record during the World Champs, running 51 yards / 341.7km to break Katie Wright’s long-standing record,
Fiona Hayvice (Winner) & Ketina Chivasa(Assist) finishing as the overall top 2 at River Run, marking the first time we’ve had both a female winner and assist.
Anthony Kerr-Taylor setting the NZ venue record at Kings Backyard in Whangarei - 52 laps, proving you don’t need a large field to go long. (Since broken at the World Champs).
We now have Backyard events around the country, from Kings Backyard in Whanagarei to M*A*S*H in Wellington and Sandy Point in Invercargill.
Our Best Competing On The World Stage
It felt like our top athletes popped up on more podiums around the world this year. Or maybe it’s just cause some awesome newsletter is shining the spotlight on it🤔.
Some standout results off the top of my head:
Ruth Croft stormed home in 2nd at UTMB in one of the greatest 2nd halves of the race ever.
Caitlin Fielder placed 5th in a stacked OCC.
Dan Jones came so close to podium glory with 4th at Western States & CCC.
Robyn Lesh won the Speedgoat 28km & 4th at JFK 50Mile.
David Haunscmidt won the 50K at Swiss Peaks 100.
Shannon-Leigh Litt Runs An Ultra A Day
And, of course - we can’t not talk about Shannon-Leigh’s crazy AF World Record breaking streak.
She’s currently on day #357 of running an ultra a day😮 (minimum 50km). She’s run all over NZ, Thailand, Austria, and Straya, and I’m sure there are other countries in there. Oh, and she’s still a practising defence lawyer.
I can’t quite comprehend what she’s done, and I think it’s the nature of these things that it takes a few months for it to be over to realise you’ve witnessed something special💪.
We’ve Had Death. We’ve Had Life
The cost of living crisis hasn’t just affected the price of your morning trim, triple shot decaf latte with half foam. This year, we have seen the end of
Mt Oxford
Loop the lake
Abel Tasman Coastal Challenge
Mukamuka Munter
The Undulator
The Wild
T42 Traverse
But it’s not all grim.
We’ve also seen The Faultline come online in Wellington, and just 2 weeks ago, The Spectacle took over Nelson.
The trend seems to be towards larger, well-funded events. Nowadays, it’s very tough for an individual or grassroots organisation to put on a race.
One race that bucked that trend is the Tararua Mountain Race, which came back to life after a 4-year hiatus. It is one of the truly brutal mountain races in the country.
In Conclusion
It’s been a massive year of racing in New Zealand, with events on most weekends. While it’s awesome to see Kiwis smashing it overseas, our local races bring us all together and create this trail-running community.
Like the WAI2K in Wellington, which saw Sam Hansby & Julia Chamberlain take out the Long Trail National Championship Titles on a tough AF 100 km course.
The Bay Of Islands 50km, where Sam Rout announced himself to NZ by beating out The Flying Doctor on his hometown trails.
The Great Naseby Water Race. Home to NZ’s only 200 miler.
Races like these play a massive part in our collective trail-running community.
These races are the ones that give you something to talk about at the pub. They give you something to brag about on your long run with your running BFF. And if you’re feeling brave, they give you something to email titled ‘Worst Run Ever’.
Make sure you get out there and support them, whether it’s volunteering, racing or just telling ya mates about the race.
This Week’s Newsletter Is Brought To You By…
Jumbo Holdsworth Trail Race
Saturday 25th January, 2025
Race one of NZ’s original mountain races.
30 years of calf-burning climbs, breathtaking views & quad-slaying descents.
⛰️Jumbo Holdsworth 24km - 1500m Elevation
🌳Hooper Loop 12km - 500m Elevation
Enter Now | Read More
Things You May Have Missed
Run Poneke is officially up and ‘running’
The Pledge Me campaign has finished and reached its target. All systems go for January. You may remember that Will Cass donated a 10-trip sauna prize to be drawn out of the hat for any Trail Running NZ subscribers who pledged. Congratulations to Emma Bassett. It’s all yours.
Ed Capie - Youngest Sub 24 SK Traverse Member
Early Sunday morning, Ed became the youngest person (15) to complete an SK traverse, completing the SK Valleys in a time of 22:18 with his badass Mum, Liz Palmer. It wasn’t easy, with thunderstorms rolling in and dumping biblical levels of rain throughout the second half of the traverse.
The ‘youngest’ baton this year has been a hot potato. It started with Charlie Ruck (17), then it was Jake McLellan(17), and now Ed has taken the title of youngest at 15. I’m too embarrassed to remember what I was doing at 15😝.
Santa’s Sack Comes Early
Ben Williams & Co were back running stupidly fast in their undies for their annual Santa fun run. Last year, they raised 4K for charity running Goat Pass - this year, they did it just for the lols. Maybe this could become a thing around the country? The Great Summer Solstice Santa Undie Run. Rolls right off the tongue.
I’ve Started Another Thing … Maybe
I had the idea earlier in the year when I realised I didn’t know 2/5’s of sweet FA about many famous New Zealanders. The concept is simple - I summarise what I’ve learnt about a famous Kiwi who rose above the rest of the poppies in each edition. First up - Ernest Rutherford.
I haven’t decided if it will be weekly, bi-weekly etc yet - but you can read it here, if it tickles your fancy you can subscribe to it, and I’m actively looking for feedback.
The “Best” Worst Run Ever by UTMB 🟣CurraNZ for 2024
Worst Run Ever is easily my favourite segment. Nothing makes my heart flutter more than an email in the TRNZ inbox titled “Worst Run Ever”.
CurraNZ thinks it’s pretty cool, too. Either that or they’ve sponsored everything they can find in the Trail Running niche. They came on board earlier this year, giving away a box of CurraNZ a month.
To those who have emailed and messaged me asking -
“Have you sold out just for a box of CurraNZ?”
Yes, yes, I have. Let that be a message to other companies: I’m cheap. I can be won over by free sh💩t and giveaways for subscribers.
The top story this year involves a run-in with a dog. So if that triggers you, scroll on past.
I’ve based this on the staggering number of replies I received the week this story was posted. It turns out a tonne of people have had a similar experience.
Everything started out so well. It was an awesome day for a run. The sun was out, there was a cool breeze, and the cicadas were screeching. I was loving it, feeling good, I started pushing the pace. New PB, who dis?😎
I was halfway back down from the summit, back in the bush and smashing my quads like a MF. I raced around a corner and there it was. I was face to snout with one of the scariest dogs I’ve ever seen😧.
It was like someone had ripped the head off a Pitbull (the dog not that bald headed creeper) and plonked it on a Great Danes body with the physique of Arnie in his prime.
Now, I don’t have a problem with dogs, but this monster was riding solo, riding solo. It started growling and then let out a terrifying bark. Pants were shat, HR strap fried, and my instinct kicked in and I just bolted.
As I flew past, I felt a sharp pain right on my arse— that f🤬cker had bitten me! To scared to look back if it was chasing me I just absolutely legged it.
After what felt like minutes the lactic acid built up, and the adrenaline eased. I ran a bit more, putting as much distance as I could between us before slowing down. Thank god the dog hadn’t chased me.
I stopped for a second to asses (padumcich😂) the damage. Yup, it got me alright. Enough to draw blood. That’s when who I presume was the owner came around the corner.
He was possibly the biggest human I have ever seen. Maybe there is something to the whole “dogs look like there owners” thing.
Never the less, I thought I better let him know what his mut had got up to while he was struggling up the trail.“Your dog just bit me!”
“Oh true, he’s usually pretty friendly eh bro”
I saw red. No apology, no nothing.
“Keep your dog under control,
you c*nt!”Ok, I said the last bit in my head. I didn’t want a broken nose to go with my bleeding arse.
I didn’t wait for his reply. I turned and ran down the trail, absolutely fuming that this frankenstein dog and owner had not only taken a piece of my arse as a trophy, but they had stolen a 🥇Strava PB away from me.
Worst Run Ever.
Greg
Let’s keep the stories coming in for 2025!
There’s only one in the chamber ready to go for January, so we need more sent 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
Aotearoa Ultra Marathon
Saturday, January 11
2025 will kick off with the Aotearoa Ultra Marathon
If you’re not Mazda Familia, it runs all over the Banks Peninsula Churchur, taking in EPIC some aiight views over Akaroa and Lyttleton harbours.
There are 3 distances on offer:
📏101km 👆4055m (team or solo)
📏53km 👆2278m(team or solo)
📏15km 👆448m
If you’re looking for some sweet, sweet vert, the 101km starting in Pigeon Bay has 4055m. You can go halfsies with a mate, as they also have a team option.
The course runs on a lot of exposed farm/4WD roads, with some tarmac linking them all together.
Last year was hotter than Satan’s rectum🥵 - the chances of you having your “Worst Run Ever” are high. So, as you’re out there sweating your balls/ and or flaps off, smile, knowing you can write about it and tell 1400-odd strangers all about it.
Check out this video from the inaugural 2021 to better understand the course.
Late entries are still open if you’ve been looking for a January race.
REGISTER HERE or check out the website for more details.
Sandy Point Backyard Ultra
Saturday, January 11
The Backyard bug has made it all the way down to Invercaaaarrrrgall. Rumour has it that they even have GPS watches down there now.
You might recognise the race director, Patrick Manulet, from the Tailwind Trailblazer team.
The course is out at Sandy Point towards Oreti beach.
Here’s how Patrick describes the course on the Facebook page:
“When people hear bout Invercargill they always think about a flat terrain. Well here in SPBYU we offer undulating cross country terrain which BYU runners will enjoy with background sound of waves from the Oreti beach. How cool is that”
Outside of Arrowtown, most new backyards have started with 60-70 people, and the winner has been around the 100-mile mark.
Kings Backyard bucked this trend - It will be interesting to see the numbers in the deep south, especially with Pigs Backyard only a month later in Dunedin.
Click here for more info. You can follow Sandy Point on Facebook.
2024 Mountain Skag Monthly Winners
It’s been another great year of Mountain Skag. The 11 monthly winners are below. The December weekly winners will be included in the January vote.
Maybe we should make a calendar next year to raise funds for a good cause?
#Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
This week’s #mountainskag is from Campbell Forlong’s ‘Not The Wild’ trip down south.
Make sure you send in all your #mountainskag entries over the Christmas break. All entries will be competing for the first January newsletter.
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 or hat.
That’s it for the year. Check your inbox on January 13th for the first 2024 newsletter, coming in hot with the Aoteroa Ultramarathon & Sandy Fly Point Backyard Ultra results.
It takes hours to write this newsletter but only 8 seconds to forward it to a friend.
P.S. Another big thank you to you, the readers. Without you guys sending in your stories, photos and ideas, this newsletter would be nothing🤟.
P.P.S. If you missed it, check out my new writing project, Tall Poppies.
