All packed and ready togo.

Dennis de Monchy offers his take on the new Ultimate Direction Fastpack 30.

I was recently given the chance to test out the new UD Fastpack 30 when I headed south to run in the hills for a couple of days with Mal Law and his High-50 Challenge of 50 peaks in 50 days.  Unfortunately Mal was injured for our overnight trip, but our merry group of 6 support runners headed up the Matukituki Valley for the overnight trip anyways.  I had sorted my gear for this summer alpine trip, then tried it out in a friends Fastpack 20.  It all fitted in, but there was no space for Mals gear that I was expecting to carry.  Luckily Grant Guise came to the rescue and offered me his Fastpack 30.

First impression was that it was a pack without much structure, and lightweight fabrics, so I was concerned that it would sit uncomfortably with a cooker, pot, whisky and other items on board.  Luckily I was wrong, it has a firm enough back rest/sit mat that I didn’t have any issues with pointy stuff protruding into my back.  With the main compartment loaded with overnight stuff, my waterproofs and microspikes went into the big webbing pocket on the outside, leaving plenty of room for more.  This pouch on the outside is second best feature on the fastpack’s, easy to load, easy to access, and roomy!

Dennis descending the Rees Valley.

But the best feature of the Fastpack 30 is the front pockets on the shoulder straps.  4 pockets to choose from, 2 zip pockets and 2 elasticated ones. The big elasticated pocket is there for your UD bottle, while under this is a small zip pocket that I used for my compass and chapstick.  On the other side is the big zip pocket which I used as my pantry for each day, loading it with Pocket Fuels, muesli bars and a backup gel or 2.  Under this is another elastic pocket that I loaded with my Iphone in a WP case, and map.  All the pockets still had space for other stuff after I’d loaded them.  There are also 2 pockets on the side of the pack that are easily accessed without removing the pack for you hat, gloves, thermal etc.

Fully loaded for the overnight trip and with a 2L bladder on board, it was weighing in at around 7kg so the real test was going to be on the first 9km of flat running.  It has the same 2 chest straps as the UD PB vest that I have and really like so I was interested to see if this would be enough for a decent load.  My PB is a small, and the Fastpack 30 was a M/L so even with all the straps cinched tight there was a bit of slack in the shoulder straps, and a bit of bounce when I was running.  I’m pretty sure that if I had the correct size this would be minimal, as I tried the pack two days later to run over the Routeburn with only my day gear in it and it hardly bounced and was incredibly comfortable.  You can also squeeze it down with the side straps so that it doesn’t need to be fully loaded all the time.

Scott Hindrup, also using a Fastpack30, nearing the summit of Mt Tyndal

We had a bit of cold drizzle while ascending Mt Tyndal, and nothing inside the pack got wet, so the light weight nylon must be fairly water resistant.

I loved this pack, and could easily have taken a few more nights food and a couple of extra bits of clothing without space being an issue.  A great pack if you are doing 1-3 night trips where you want to move fast, or if you need a lot of gear for a day trip in the mountains.  It also has 2 ice axe loops which I didn’t get to try out, but could also be used for trekking poles.

Shop for the FASTPACK 30

Tarawera Ultramarathon race directorPaul Charteris gives us the run down on the Tarawera entries that open today-

Entries for the 2015 Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon open at 11am on Sunday 1 June NZ time. It’s alway super exciting seeing how popular the race has become – although this year I am genuinely worried about the server crashing. 

In what is almost a perfect storm (pardon the pun) with the rapid growth of the event facebook group, massive exposure in the trail ultra community provided by the Ultra-Trail World Tour and international TV broadcasts going out to over 20 countries, expect entries to sell out. Combine that with a few hundred runners who have still not made it to Kawerau (sorry about the weather) and really want to do so – and I expect entries to sell out pretty quickly. Other similar events around the world sell fill up in a day or sometimes hours.

My best guess (and it is purely a guess) is that all 1000 entries for next years race will be snapped up in a few days or perhaps a few weeks in June. When the race is full we’ll have a waitlist and new entrants will be allowed to enter as runners withdraw. When the race is full and we have a waitlist, you will not be able to transfer your entry to other runners. All the details about entries, refunds and the waitlist are on the website.  No matter if the race fills up in five hours or five weeks – I’ll keep you in touch with how full the race is on the event facebook group.

For some extra motivation and inspiration, the interviews, media coverage, photos, videos and race reports are all collated here: trailrunz.blogspot.co.nz  Enjoy!!

Watch Racing The Cyclone: The story of the 2014 Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon.

”So before I get to the blow by blow race report of this past Saturday’s epic Hong Kong 100 Ultra, I have to give a small blow by blow account of what was an amazing and easily one of the most memorable weeks I have experienced.”

This was the opening paragraph of my 2011 Hong Kong 100km race report, and over 2 years later I still stand by it. Well, I did. Then I watched Lloyd Belcher’s “More Than A Race” movie and now I feel even stronger about the HK100. I told Lloyd half way through watching More Than A Race that I didn’t like it because it made me nostalgic.

My experience of the HK 100 was a mixed one- there were the pollution induced headaches,  I got off course for a while and most of all I was not at all prepared for the race. But these are not the first things that come to mind when I think of the HK100.

When I think of the HK100 a smile is the first thing that happens and watching More Than A Race the smile was permanent throughout. Expectations were low when heading to Hong Kong- at the time I was coming from a small village with a population of around 20 people and the thought of cities makes me uneasy. But a desire of new experiences override this and nothing is better for new experiences than an ultra marathon in a new place.

Kiwi Vajin Armstrong has a staring role in More Than A Race.

Lloyd captures the massive contrast between the high rise buildings of the cityscape and the amazing and varied trails of the landscape wonderfully. Local running legends (and top people) like Jeremy Ritcey and Stone Tsang, along with the HK100 race directors Janet Ng and Steve Brammar help introduce the background of the HK100, before the film dives into the races pointy end. I love that many “big names” toed the line at this race, but I love it more that the front of the field was made up by names that most of us were not familiar with- I will not names names, don’t want to ruin the ending on you!

For me, on a personal level, having raced the HK100, the film captures all the amazing memories of my week long trip to Hong Kong in 2012- the rugged trails, bone jarring steps and steep down hills, monkeys (like 100′s and 100′s of monkeys!) and the enthusiastic and supportive locals.

Hannah Roberts, at the recent Northburn100, said to me “there is no better place in the world than the start line of an ultra” (or at least something to that effect). I could not agree more- the electric, positive energy of an event and peoples hopes and dreams about to be unleashed is hard to beat and impossible to replicate in any medium of art. If you can’t make it to the start of an ultra, or run one yourself, then downloading More Than A Race is a great substitute for getting that experience. But beware, it may result in you looking up flights to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong 100 website

Lloyd Belcher Visuals website

More Than A Race website

Backcountry Runner is very excited to present a screening of “In the High Country” in Wellington on Monday 21st October.

“In the High Country will be a new kind of mountain/ running film featuring Anton Krupicka. Filmed and Produced by Joel Wolpert with the support of Ultimate Direction, this won’t be the usual running film – no “loneliness of the long distance runner” – “High Country” will take you where you’ve never been before.” - Buzz Burrell, Ultimate Direction.

You can buy your tickets for the Wellington screening of “In the High Country” on-line from the Backcountry Runner Trail Shop HERE. There will also be door sales on the night- bring cash please.

The Wellington screening will be at the GNS Science Building, 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt (BIG BUILDING opposite Avalon park-look for big GNS sign-it is the first big building on right after the Avalon lights from Hutt motorway).

• Monday 21st October
• $10 entry- $5 of your entry goes to charity Way of Life centre for disadvantaged kids
• GNS Cinema, 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt (no food or drink available, NO alcohol).
• 630pm- doors open
• 7pm- start
• Ultimate Direction Signature Series, Jurek, Jenny and Runners Collection products on display to try on.
• If buying your ticket from the BCR Trail Shop- please print out your receipt and bring along - this is your ticket, so make sure you have it! 

Buy In the High Country tickets now

Backcountry Runner is very excited to present a screening of “In the High Country” in Tauranga on Thursday 17th October.

“In the High Country will be a new kind of mountain/ running film featuring Anton Krupicka. Filmed and Produced by Joel Wolpert with the support of Ultimate Direction, this won’t be the usual running film – no “loneliness of the long distance runner” – “High Country” will take you where you’ve never been before.” - Buzz Burrell, Ultimate Direction.

You can buy your tickets for the Tauranga screening of “In the High Country” on-line from the Backcountry Runner Trail Shop HERE. There will also be door sales on the night- bring cash please.

the Tauranga screening will be at BREW, 107 The Strand, Tauranga, on 17th Oct.

• Thursday 17th October
• $10 entry
• BREW, 107 The Strand, Tauranga
• 630pm- doors open
• 7pm- start
• Ultimate Direction Signature Series, Jurek, Jenny and Runners Collection products on display to try on.
• If buying your ticket from the BCR Trail Shop- please print out your receipt and bring along - this is your ticket, so make sure you have it! 

Buy In the High Country tickets now

Backcountry Runner is very excited to present a screening of “In the High Country” in the Southern City and trail running hot spot, Dunedin.

“In the High Country will be a new kind of mountain/ running film featuring Anton Krupicka. Filmed and Produced by Joel Wolpert with the support of Ultimate Direction, this won’t be the usual running film – no “loneliness of the long distance runner” – “High Country” will take you where you’ve never been before.” - Buzz Burrell, Ultimate Direction.

You can buy your tickets for the Dunedin screening of “In the High Country” on-line from the Backcountry Runner Trail Shop HERE. There will also be door sales on the night- bring cash please.

The Dunedin screening will be at Kensington Bar, 4 King Edward St, on Thursday October 3rd.

• Thursday 3rd October
• $10 entry
• Kensington Bar, 4 King Edward St, Dunedin
• 630pm- doors open
• 7pm- start
• Ultimate Direction products on display to try on, spot prizes from Ultimate Direction and VFuel
• If buying your ticket from the BCR Trail Shop- please print out your receipt and bring along - this is your ticket, so make sure you have it! 

Buy In the High Country tickets now

Northburn100. Photo marceauphotography.com/

Just had an email from Mr Highland Events, Terry Davis, giving a heads up on the early bird rate for the Northburn100- New Zealand’s only mountain 100mile foot race. In 3 short years the Northburn 100mile has established its self as one of the burliest 100miel foot races- anywhere. A true test for ultra mountain runners, the 100mile course has over 9000mD+ and always has a real mix of Central Otago, later summer weather (sunshine, rain, snow, gale winds and warm temps).

And remember- Northburn is way more than just 100miles- 100km, 50km, 1/2 marathon, kids races and 5 and 10km night races are all on offer!

BCR will be at NB100 again next year- and don’t worry, our early bird fees for our Friday pre race group run and coffee in Cromwell will not be increasing And below we have a bunch of links for this years race to get you pimped for the 2014 race! (And have embed Tegyn Angel’s short video “Darkness” above)

“Hi guys – just a friendly reminder that the early bird rate for next years Northburn events will be finishing on the 1st October in a couple of weeks time.Click here to enter now.

If you’re keen to come back for more it is quite a bit cheaper to enter now. If injury or circumstances changes and it turns out you can’t we’re happy to hold over your entry until the next year or give you a refund (less 20%).

Thanks very much to all of you who have already entered.

After 3 years of ‘high’ winds the law of averages would suggest we are in for a nice calm one next year! We know that will take away a lot of the fun for some of you but it will make for a novel experience anyway.

OK, thanks for reading, we look forward to seeing many of you again in 6month!

Terry, Lisa, Tom and the team”

www.Northburn100.co.nz

Northburn100 Facebook Page

Backcountry Runner 2013 NB100 race report

2013 NB100 photo gallery by Lyndon Marceau

Northburn100 2013 Video

Backcountry Runner is very excited to present the New Zealand Premier of “In the High Country”.

“In the High Country will be a new kind of mountain/ running film featuring Anton Krupicka. Filmed and Produced by Joel Wolpert with the support of Ultimate Direction, this won’t be the usual running film – no “loneliness of the long distance runner” – “High Country” will take you where you’ve never been before.” – Buzz Burrell, Ultimate Direction.

In addition to screening “In the High Country”, Ultimate Direction supported runner Vajin Armstrong, who will present a talk/slide show on his recent trip to Europe, where he raced at the highest level, with podium’s in several races.

You can buy your tickets for the NZ premier of “In the High Country” on-line from the Backcountry Runner Trail Shop HERE. There will also be door sales on the night, but the venue is limited to 50.

Vajin Armstrong

The New Zealand Premier will be at Elevate, in Christchurch, on Tuesday October 1st.

• Tuesday 1st October
• $10 entry
• Elevate Bar, 2 Colombo St, Cashmere, Christchurch
• 630pm- doors open
• 7pm- start
• Ultimate Direction products on display to try on, spot prizes from Ultimate Direction and VFuel
• Limited to 50 people. Door sales if available.
• If buying your ticket from the BCR Trail Shop- please print out your receipt and bring along - this is your ticket, so make sure you have it! 

Buy In the High Country tickets now

BCR has a nice little interview with Vajin ahead of this weekends race, where Vajin will get a little taste of what is head of him for what will no doubt be an epic summer of racing.

The Great Naseby Water Race director and ultra runner Jamie Sinclair gives us a little back ground on the G.N.W.R, which will be run for the 7th time this August. But be warned- upon reading the below you might just be tempted to turn up in Naseby the last weekend of August and part take in what has to be the most social, relaxed (and coldest) gathering of ultra runners in New Zealand.

Some of the GNWR course- scenic, rolling forestry road. Photo: Andrew Shelly http://andrewwalking.blogspot.co.nz/

The birth of the G.N.W.R. came about after the demise of That Dam Race 100km at Kurow.  The organisers were moving north and no-one else was picking up the mantle. The Legendary Jim Kerse and I were bemoaning the fact over a few Speights that the Ultras we wanted to go to were so far away- Molesworth, Kepler, Western States, etc, then we thought “it can’t be that hard, let’s start our own race” ( We of course didn’t know much about organising a race at that stage!).  Jim suggested Naseby for a venue and as Aileen (she who must be obeyed) and I had never been there we went up for a weekend. We were entranced.  A Quiet, Picturesque, Historic, Gently undulating course and not many other forest users in late August.  The only down side to it all was every 2nd year there is a Curling Tournament on the same weekend so accommodation can be a little tight.  That’s this year actually.

The multiple lap course at GNWR give’s plenty of opportunity for family and friends to be involved in what is normally a lonely experience- adding a much needed boost in the later laps.

In 2007 we had 14 starters and it was cold. The frozen ground turned to mud and then at 3 in the afternoon started freezing again- truly enjoyable. We had a race. Over the years we have had everything from cool to downright freezing, muddy with a weak insipid sun, to snow covering large parts of the course.  It shouldn’t be unexpected though, after all it is Winter in Central Otago.  The field has grown over the years in numbers and characters, and last year we had 97 entrants.  With the introduction of the 100 mile distance this year we are expecting a few more than that.  Ironic that the only 2 off road 100 mile races in the country are in Otago.  Northburn in mid March in Cromwell and us in August.  We get repeat attenders from all over the place, we even have Sean coming back from Tasmania for a crack at the big one.  Yes, we do take Australian dollars.

Dunedin’s Helen Chignell has ran every year so far (6) and Matt Bixley is only 1 year behind her.  He reckons he had a race in Czechoslovakia and couldn’t come that year. Yeah Right!

Its a pretty classy Buckle and there is only one way to get one!

Naseby is all about extending yourself, if you have done a half marathon, do 30 kms in the team race.  Done a full marathon? do 50 kms, and so on. Why have it in August? it doesn’t conflict with too many other races then, time to recover for the next race. Kepler maybe?
C R Lawton once said ” If you only do what you have done before you will never grow”  Could be something to that.
The course is a gently undulating 10 km figure 8 loop, half on Forestry gravel road, half on grassy single track beside the water race and it does get a little steeper each lap somehow.  The only aid station is at the crossover point of the figure 8 so every 5 kms you will have access to your support crew and food, warm dry clothes, first aid, etc. You don’t get bored running this loop course as the scenery is constantly changing, you could get tired though.  Aileen & I have met some truly remarkable people at ultra races, real Ultra Loonies,and have become good friends with quite a few. Come to Naseby this year, August 30th & 31st and see what we mean.

Great Naseby Water Race- 30th-31st August, Naseby, Otago. 60km relay (2 x 30km), 5okm, 80km, 100k and for the first time 100mile options. It is not too late to enter!  greatnasebywaterrace.co.nz