The Blackmores XTERRA Trail Challenge Waihi is fast approaching again. Set in the Karangahake Gorge and Kaimai Ranges, the event has 7.3, 13, 19, 42.2 and 60km options and come Saturday the 19th October the trails and hills around Waihi will be buzzing with hundreds of trail runners testing themselves in one of the most demanding, yet beautiful trail running events in New Zealand.
The 19km race is the XTERRA New Zealand Trail Running Champs, with qualifying spots for the XTERRA World Trail Running Championships in Oahu, Hawaii up for grabs, as well as prize money for top finishes.
New last year seen the addition of the 60km ’Kaimai Killer’ Ultra- one of the few ultra distance races in New Zealand that is held on rough, technical terrain and has 2810m of climbing!
Well last years XTERRA Trail Running Champ Glenn Hughes is now in England, 2nd and 3rd place finishers, Chris Morrissy and Vajin Armstrong, are set to battle it out again for top honours. In the woman’s race defending champ Helen Rountree is undecided weather to race or not, with an injury cloud hanging over her.
DB- 3rd in last years ’Kaimai Killer’- out on a training run on the Kaimai trails.
Online entries are still open for all events, until Thursday October 17th. After that there are still ’on the day entries’ at the pre-event registration at the Sterling Tavern, 112 Seddon Street, Waihi from 4pm – 9pm on Friday the 18th October. For the last minute rush we’ll also take entries on the morning of the event at the event base at the Dicky Flat Campground.
If you are racing the 60km then Friday night gear check ad entry is a must, at the Sterling Tavern.
Personally I can’t wait to get back to Waihi to race the 60km! Camping at the Dicky Flat camp ground on the start line, a 5am start for the ultra meaning a nice 1hr30 running by head lamp to start the day and some of the enjoyable single track I have been on. And for the 42 and 60km runners a real treat- while the last 20km can often be a lonely time in an race of this distance- not at Waihi. The course meets back up with the shorter distance races and you end up sharing the trails with a bunch of like mined folks, as you all make your way to the finish.
Backcountry Runners coverage for the 2012 XTERRA Waihi
