🏃🏃♀️WAI2K RESULTS
“This is where I took the lead and started to feel super comfortable. All and all great day out - epic to experience the Welly trail running scene”
Your weekly fix of NZ trail running news
Here’s what’s in the drop bag this week:
🏃🏃♀️WAI2K Results
🏃🏃♀️Teetotal Traverse Results
🏃🏃♀️Toi’s Challenge
🏃🏃♀️Riverhead Rampage Results
📰International Results Desk
💰His & Her Events Giveaway
🎯Things You May Have Missed
⛰️💊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.
Alright, folks. It’s 8 PM, and I’ve been gingerly sitting in my chair attempting to write this thing for 30 minutes. I’ve already watched 2 cat videos and shared 3 ‘itsyaboyscottjurek’ memes 😂.
Due to actually doing some running over the weekend, my focus is at an all-time low. This is going to be a stripped-back, results-heavy Newsletter. I apologize in advance for any fake news, missed results, and general sh💩thousery.
WAI2K RESULTS
Saturday, November 23
6 AM Saturday, The WAI2K got away under overcast skies, playing host to the NZ Long Course Trail Championships, and more importantly, I resumed my bitter feud with long-term midpack rival, Kevin Fink💪.
It was great to pin a bib on again and remind myself what the trail-running community is all about.
It was great finally meeting many of you readers for the first time. Even if it was in the awkward “we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only” portaloo queue😂.
Thank you to everyone who said hello across the day; it blows me away how many people use this Newsletter as their weapon of choice to avoid working first thing Monday morning.
Let’s kick into the results.
📏100KM | ⛰️4000M
🏃 Men’s Podium
🥇Sam Hansby - 11:07:35 🔥New CR🔥
🥈Josh Campbell - 11:57:45
🥉Andy Crosland- 12:01:43
Sam Hansby is once again your Athletics NZ Long Course Trail Champ. He left no stone unturned heading into the race, even moving from Wainuianowhere to Upper Hutt Hardcore to acclimatize.
Hansby led from start to finish, with the result never looking in doubt. Local legend Joshua Campell ran in 2nd for most of the day before Andy Crossland launched a surprise attack on the summit of Mt. Climie.
Campbell and Crossland dueled along the undulating tops before Campbell shot down Climie like a beat-up 1987 Commodore running from the cops down Fergusson Drive.
Sam Hansby was kind enough to answer a couple of questions about his day:
How does it feel to take out the long course title in your new hometown? How does the wai2k stack up to other races you’ve run
“It feels pretty good to get the win. I ran a really good race. The course is a tale of two halves with a technical first 50 followed by a very runnable second half.”
“I really enjoyed the technical stuff and was able to get into a good rhythm for the back half.”
“Everyone involved out on course were so great, lots of smiles and humour. Wai2k has a really good vibe. The brownie at Corner Creek aid station was one highlight.”
Sam Hansby
🏃♀️ Women’s Podium
🥇Julia Chamberlain - 12:27:17 🔥New CR🔥
🥈Kelly Davenport - 14:11:59
🥉Lara Zoeller - 14:27:11
Julia Chamberlain, 4 weeks removed from her record-setting 51yd Backyard run, has also claimed the NZ Trail Long Course Title.
The final margin makes this look like a cakewalk, but she was under pressure for the first half of the race. Kelly Davenport took full advantage of her local knowledge, cruising away from Chamberlain over the rough early terrain.
The technical single trail gave way to the rail trail, and then it was all aboard the Chamberlain train. She took over the race, showing her wheels and running away from the field.
The only thing that stopped her in her tracks was Mt.Climie, who I’m sure everyone yesterday agreed is an absolute … “insert your own profanity here.”
Lara Zoeller had herself a day, taking the bronze and her first podium on NZ soil.
Another big result for Julia’s ever-growing resume. She took time out of her busy day traveling back to Wanaka to answer a couple of questions.
Congrats on winning the NZ long course champs - how does it feel to take home the title, and what were your impressions of the course?
“I’m stoked eh, came to Wellington with a goal and super happy to achieve that. The course started out flat so sent it down the gravel road - rude not to get some free speed.”
“And then jumped onto the trails which was a shock to the legs. Kelly zoomed past me on the first climb and disappeared into the distance. The single track continued until roughly 40km where we were blessed with rail trail for the remainder of the race.”
“This is where I took the lead and started to feel super comfortable. All and all great day out - epic to experience the Welly trail running scene, energy was consistent and I had fun - what more could you want!”
Julia Chamberlain
📏50KM | ⛰️2000M
🏃♀️ Women’s Podium
🥇Hannah Fletcher - 6:04:48 🔥New CR🔥
🥈Hannah Wall - 6:17:04
🥉Chrissi Faber - 7:07:40
It was a good day to be a Hannah at the WAI2K. Current A100 champ Hannah Fletcher showed off her technical running ability to get one up over the early leader Hannah Wall and take 33 minutes off the CR.
Defending champ Chrissi Faber couldn’t hold on to the Hannah party but still had a great day out, adding a Bronze to her medal collection.
Hannah (Fletcher) was kind enough to fill us in on how her day went:
How was the race upfront?
“There was a good tempo to kick things off on the flattest 8km of the course. I started strong with a group of four who then left me in the dust up the unforgiving gradient of Frith track.”
“Bit of a solo party until I caught the leading female up at the 20km mark and entered my element on Puffer Saddle. By far the most enjoyable section of the course - a technical, rooty descent with a bit of bush bashing thrown in - trail runners heaven.”
“It was then cat and mouse running with Andy Crossland (who was a machine doing the 100km!) until Rivendell when I realised that I’m doing the 50km so should put my A into G and pull away from the 100km runners.”
“10km to the finish consisted of knocking off a few more unnecessary hills, gratefully consuming the last gel of the day and jumping up one more place overall.”
Did you enjoy the course?
“Local community vibes, gnarly trails and a route that that not only takes you through beautiful terrain but also trolls you by passing the finish before you’ve actually finished…what more could you want.”
“Thanks to Gareth, Cate and all the organisers for putting on such a cool event and to everyone who crossed that start line - you’re all legends!”
🏃 Men’s Podium
🥇Ryan Woolley - 5:04:52 🔥New CR🔥
🥈Edd Charlton-Weedy - 5:11:37
🥉Chester Holt-Quick- 5:21:22
On paper, this was the race to watch heading into the weekend. And boy, did it live up to the hype.
Ryan Woolley out-dueled the double-barrell bangers Edd Charlton-Weedy & Chester Holt-Quick to go one better than the WUU2K in July.
Running conditions this year were near perfect, so it’s not surprising that 6 people went under the old CR of 6:08 set by Brian Garmonsway last year in the torrential rain.
Fun fact supplied by TEC Kyle Malone:
The final finisher was Ron Wietzke, who finished in 12:25:39 at 75 years young. His son George also raced, finishing 6th in 6:06:54. How good!
How did the action play out at the front and what was your favourite part of the course?
“Chester, Edd, and I took it out together until the start of Frith Track. About a kilometer into the climb, Ed and I had put a gap on Chester.”
“We exchanged the lead a few times over the tops. I was stoked to have company from Puffer to Marchant Rd because of how challenging it was to stay on the trail in some sections.”
“I managed to start putting time on Edd during the climb up to Norbert Creek Track. I love technical descents, so the Norbert Creek descent was probably my favourite part of the course (though, the whole thing was pretty incredible).”
Ryan Woolley
Check out the Full Results here, including the 12km Scenic Flight & 25km Quad Extender.
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
Teetotal Traverse
Sunday, November 24
I’m running out of gas, and it’s only 9 pm😫.
Luckily, Gazza Southside has just faxed in his report from the Teetotal Traverse.
📏Half Marathon - 21.1KM
🏃Men’s Podium
🥇Matthew Moloney - 1:34:42 🔥New CR🔥
🥈Hayden Squance - 1:35:30
🥉Patrick Anderson - 1:41:10
🏃♀️Women’s Podium
🥇Caitlin Fielder - 1:39:17 - 🔥New CR🔥
🥈Zoe King - 2:06:30
🥉Tory Jarocki - 2:06:33
Take it away, Gazza.
“Residents in the sleepy alpine town of St Arnaud-Nelson Lakes were awaken from their summer Sunday slumber when competitors drove into the “Main Street” for the second Edridge Contracting Teetotal Traverse.”
”Over 160 had pre-registered for the Half Marathon, 13km or 8km but fuel costs, cloudy skies or simply lack of desire like the lethargic hapless All Blacks played its part ..and “only “ 126 turned up … but all finished .”
”Organisers, Active4Good , not worried though..delivering another quality event by their all volunteer crew and more than a bit of “bitcoin” to distribute to Nelson in their next Funding Round in March. .. check it out on www.active4good.org.”
“Plenty of action all around the pristine Big Bush Conservation Area..especially in the Half Marathon.”
“Hayden Squance, fresh from a 1.12 Nelson Half “standout victory” earlier in the month, was an obvious choice..and looked content with Matthew Moloney comfortably “gloved in his pocket.”
“6kms to go though Moloney had other ideas, released the handbrake, and the roles were reversed. Moloney back to the Village Finish, all the residents finished church but still clapping as Moloney headed into the Shute. Squance just under a minute behind.”
“Onto the “Headline Act”….. Caitlin Fielder, and what a quality person we have representing NZ in the World Trail Scene let alone in her spare time wooing the Tour de France Riders with her stunning cycling shoe paintings..check them out on www.caitlinfielder.com”
“Sighting her in action was a pure pleasure, third overall in 1.39.17, a time that will certainly be cemented as the women’s record for more than a few years..!!
A privilege also to hear her Prizegiving Speech, all ears tuned into her humble words of wisdom.”
“Active4Good now goes into major event hibernation until Autumn’25 other than their weekly Honest Lawyer 5km Series, currently attracting 150 each Monday Evening.”
Thanks for that, Gazza. It sounds like a great day out in St. Arnaud and a great addition to the local calendar with Loop The Lake in hibernation.
Check out the Full Results here, including the 8km & 13km races.
Toi’s Challenge Results
Sunday, November 24
Toi’s Challenge 📏19.7KM | ⛰️800M
Sunday, November 24
They say that the victors write history. So, who better than Michael Sutton to give us his account of the Toi’s Challenge in Whakatane yesterday?
🏃♀️Women’s Podium
🥇Jessie Speedy - 1:44:17
🥈Kate Moore - 1:55:23
🥉Sophie Wilkonson- 1:56:45
🏃Men’s Podium
🥇Michael Sutton - 1:27:45
🥈Liam Dooley - 1:27:52
🥉Max Green - 1:32:00
“Toi's Challenge had a bit of everything from turning and twisting forested trails to rock hopping on the beach, a spicy 2:37 downhill road kilometer, and a surprising 800m of vert. The new Merrell Skyfire MTL 2's were light, grippy and stood up to the constant pummeling of gravel, rock and dirt.”
“I hit the start hard with the climb to the headland and thought I'd pulled together a substantial lead after 11k through the first 2 of the 3.5 rolling climbs. I came off the trails with about 400m to go only to find Liam Dooley had pulled a houdini act appearing from nowhere and a close sprint finish ensued.”
“Max Green in third held Dooley for the best part of 11 to 12ks, but will need an original nickname as the flying doctor's already been taken.”
“While in the Women's Jessie Speedy of Mount Maunganui made a push for World Mountains selection carving out a comfortable 10 minute win and put paid to local legend Chris Morrissey.”
Thanks for that, Michael. Merrell, feel free to send a pair of 11.5US, and I’ll get them to Shoe Review Stu for an unbiased review.
They’ve already got a race video up as well, which is impressive!
Check out the Full Results here & more coverage on Facebook
RAGE AGAINST RIVERHEAD RESULTS
Saturday, November 23
Rage Against Riverhead was on over the weekend. From the outside looking in, it’s as if the Blue Lake Challenge had a one-night stand with Riverhead ReLaps.
There were teams of runners competing in either an 8, 12, or 24-hour relay, and then there were lone wolves riding solo, also in the 8, 12, and 24 categories.
It looks like a great turnout; check out the video below from His & Her Events.
That’s about all I know. I opened the results tab, and my brain ran out of every orifice it could find.
I don’t know how serious the racing is, but some impressive totals were posted. I’m sure more than a few rivalries got to write another chapter over the weekend.
Check out the Full Results here, as there are just way too many to post.
International Results Desk
It’s been a busy weekend on the International Results Desk.
Aditya Kesarcodi-Watson from Nelson continued his impressive year (🥇 The Bay, 🥈Crater Rim,🥈Skedaddle), taking out the 4-day Stage race at the GPT 100. The temperatures were a touch on the warm side, with the 100-mile continuous race being canned while many runners were still out on course due to extreme heat (38 degrees plus).
Robyn Lesh took 4th place in Murica’s oldest ultra, The JFK 50 mile, with a time of 6:21:55
Andrew McDowall raced Coast To Kosci, a 240km race in Straya, finishing 9th overall.
Daniel Jones made another short race start at Ultra Trail Capetown, taking out the win in the 35km at Ultra Trail Cape Town.
🥳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.
Not a paid Subscriber? Sort your shit out 👇
You can see which events the His & Her Eventz are available at here, email me at trailrunningnz@gmail.com or comment on the Newsletter to enter.
This is the last week to enter the draw. The winner will be announced next week!
Things You May Have Missed
Ultra Trail Straya Goes Large
Some fairly hefty news from across the ditch this week.
Ultra Trail is now the World Series Major for Oceania.
Cool … what does this change?
💎Double UTMB stones. It turns out that UTMB is just like the central bank. They’re printing stones and causing lottery inflation. Stop the steal.
🌏The top 10 male & female winners + age group category winners in the 100M(we’ll get to that) 100km & 50km will receive UTMB entries.
🎥A live broadcast of elite races
💰A new prize pool of $120K AUD
👟Hoka is now the headline sponsor
Oh, and they’ve also announced a 100-mile course. I will be watching this one with interest. Historically, UTA has found it hard enough to keep 100km of course open due to weather events. 100 miles of forestry roads as a B course, anyone😂?
Do you think this will affect Tarawera's drawing power? Hit reply and let me know your thoughts.
Worst Run Ever by UTMB 🟣CurraNZ
No Worst Run Ever this week - If you almost died, mistrusted a fart, had to eat out of a skip bin, broke your phone, or even just broke your spirit; Make sure you put pen to paper and send it in and you could be walking away with some purple little pills by 🟣CurraNZ.
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.
#Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
This week’s Mountain Skag pic is from Westie Runner Gareth Morris.
“Stunner of a morning down in Raglan at the top of the ladder on my way up Karioi. Didn’t leave early enough / wasn’t fast enough to make it to the top and be back at the back for a 10am checkout so had to turn around at the secondary summit Point 702.”
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: If you were wondering, my arch nemesis Kevin Fink beat me in the 100km. I first picked up his scent 30km in before catching him around the 38k mark, where we ran about 5 km together.
He led me out of the aid station and taught me how you’re supposed to run the rail trail.
I died a fiery death coming back down Mt.Climie, with my quads pushing CTRL+ALT+DELETE I resembled an octopus in a blender holding chop sticks.
Well played, Kev. The better man won Saturday, #NoSandbag.
P.P.S Saturday was another great reminder that these events are impossible to run without an army of volunteers. Thank you to everyone who gave their time on Saturday to allow us to dick around in the hills.
Thanks Chester! Nice to finally meet ya, was a choice day all round. Congrats on taking 3rd even when ya didn’t feel 100%!
Congrats on the 💯 Bradley! Awesome to see you coming through the aid station at ~ 80km. You were looking strong as and had a great vibe on. What a choice day!