Coming at you this week- it has been a while since the last Coming at you and as the first of the new year we may as well look at a few possible highlighst for 2013. But first the 2012 BCR Runner Polls:
BCR Female Runner of the year- It was a land slide (all results were), Anna “Frosty” Frost took it out with over 50% of votes for her stella year that included wins at Shotover Moonlight Marathon, TransVulcania , Speed Goat and 2nd over all Sky Running Ultra Series. Anna also broke the ascent record on Mt Taranaki and the Round the Mountain record on the Mt Taranaki track.
BCR Male Runner of the year- After his 3rd win at the Kepler Challenge in December it was no surprise that Vajin Armstrong topped the BCR poll. As well as his 3rd Kepler title Vajin won American River and was 2nd at the Tarawera Ultra, TNF100 Aust and White River 50mile, and 3rd in the Xterra Waihi Champs. It certainly was an excellent year for Vajin and we expect more of the same for 2013.
BCR Performance of the Year- for whatever reason this poll received more than twice the votes than the other 2 polls and, I think, was the biggest surprise. There where some great performances this year by kiwis, but is was Wayne Botha with his 100k Barefoot World Record that got the votes- great job Wayne! 100km is a bloody long way to go barefoot! And to all the other great runners out there- not just those on the poll.
2013- It is going to be a great year for trail, ultra and mountain running in New Zealand. Here is a super quick look at a few events in the first few months of 2013…….
Jan 26th- Tussock Traverse always gets a good turn out and the “Reverse” is getting more and more popular also. St James Ultra- this is just its 2nd year, but with talk of Martin Lukes, Martin Cox and Jason Schlarb on the start line it could be an epic race!
Feb 2nd- The biggest, badest Mountain Marathon in New Zealand- The BCR Kaweka. With over 3425 meters of climbing and a reported distance close to 47km, this race will be a battle with Steve Neary, Jamie Stewart and Chris Morrissey, as well as Kepler winner Ruby Muir all taking the start line
Feb 8th- For the first time the Speight’s Coast to Coast Mountain Run, over Goat Pass, will be held as a stand alone event. It will be very interesting to see how this is received with its $300+ entry fee….
Feb 16th- One of the few TRUE mountain running races in NZ- the Avalanche Peak Challenge- summits 1833m high Avalanche Peak before some classic Arthur’s Pass ridge and scree running, finishing off with gnarly single track and river crossings. Expect Tane Cambridge to be the one to beat again this year.
23rd Feb- A busy weekend from Canterbury south- Bedrock50, the all new Flock Hill Station Trail Run and the pick of the weekend- The Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon. Defending champ Martin Cox is set to return and there has been talk of Vajin Armstrong, Richard Ussher and Marty Lukes to name a few also lining up. Expect Andy Town to keep them honest! And the Women’s field is just as good, with another Sarah Biss- Ruby Muir show down!
March Madness…..
9th March- Motatapu Off Road Marathon, which always has a big turn out, (I just hope the Miners Trail is marked and marshalled well this year) and at the opposite end of the “off road” spectrum, the burly Tararua Southern Crossing. 35km and a course record of 4hr30 by Salomon international runner Andy Simonds. The Tararua is low key and I think one of the most under rated mountain running races in New Zealand- it’s for the truly hard core, non flashy, hardened runner.
16th March- Tarawera Ultra! I really don’t need to say a thing, but I will. This is set to be the biggest ultra in the southern hemisphere this year and possibly the best 100km field of any in 2013. It will be epic! Beg, borrow or steal an entry, or at least head along to watch the fire works go down.
23rd March- For the last 2 years the Northburn 100mile Mountain Ultra has somewhat lived in the shadow of the Tarawera and the shadow might be growing with Tarawera’s star studded start list, BUT Northburn has attracted a few “names” itself. The 100mile will be more competitive than the first 2 years as Kiwi ultra runners (and a few internationals) look to test themselves over 100miles in the mountains.
April sees many top sub ultra distance events on the calendar. The relatively new Arrowsmith Thee Run has received great praise while more established races like Loop the Lake, Three Peaks and the Routeburn Classic take centre stage later in April.
We have not added any hyper links to races, but New Zealand Running Calender has an excellent list of events, including all those listed above and more- check them out HERE
Matt
January 8, 2013
Let’s not be forgetting the Big Easy across the Pisa range on the 26th of January Grant. Probably the best downhill preparation I’ll get for Northburn.
http://www.highlandevents.co.nz/the-big-easy