It all started for me in May. I was on holiday in the North Island when I got a message from one of my good mate’s dad and friend, Hemi Vincent. I’m based in Wanaka and Hemi wanted me to go into the Night & Day to find out what happened the previous night, resulting in my buddy Kahu Vincent ending up in a coma and being rushed to Dunedin hospital,. I felt sick after hearing this. “I can’t help” I said,  as I got more details from him and wondered what kind of twisted person would do this to another human being. My holiday was coming to an end and I was camped on 90 Mile Beach- it was stunning and that evening I decided to go for a run on the beach, having barely run anywhere before! I ran about 3kms and it totally cleared my head, from then on I decided I would keep at it when I got back to Wanaka.

Some winter training on Mount Iron. Photo Brook van Reenen

The next day scrolling through Facebook a sponsored message from Queenstown Marathon came along, “flat out beautiful” it read, I jumped at the chance and signed up then and there! It was still 6 months away so I thought that was enough time to train and I thought it would be a good goal to achieve before I turn 30 next year! Back in Wanaka I asked a mate Andrew Town how to train for a marathon, he sent me back a basic 24 week training programme. I checked the dates and discovered that the next 24 weeks through the middle of the coldest winter we’ve had in a long time and Spring that I was going to be running a lot but I was keen. It was pretty full on and I enjoyed every minute. There were days that I couldn’t be bothered but I was determined to complete every run and sometimes they turned out to be the best runs!! September 5th came around and my buddy Kahu Vincent was doing well, I was using his step by step progress as motivation for my own step by step progress towards my goal of running a marathon. It was also the day of my first ever half marathon at Jacks Point in Queenstown put on by Andrew Town. It was steep, muddy and greasy but I was stoked to finish it in 2 hours 19min. A prize was up for grabs just for entering and I somehow got lucky and won an entry to the Kepler Challenge. I’d often wanted to walk it but didn’t know the crazies ran the big 60km lap in a day! I spoke to Andrew and he thought I’d be too tired as it was 2 weeks after the Queenstown Marathon, but me being me I like to take every opportunity that I get and I decided to go for it! I wanted to run it for Kahu! He was home now getting better and it was good to see him again. It was a whole lot better than seeing tubes in him when I visited him in Dunedin hospital.

Cromwell Half.

Next up at the end of October it was Cromwell half marathon. I’d learned a lot from Jacks point, as well as from picking mates Andrew’s and Grant Guise’s brains and I went into it feeling fresh. It was fast, hot and a lot of road running which I wasn’t used to but I paced myself and got home in a time of 1 hour 42. A new personal best and I felt I was on track for the big one less than a month away! From now on it was getting intense. I was training during the week for Queenstown and on Sunday’s hitting the hills and training for the Kepler. Breast Hill, Mount Roy and Corner Peak were some good work outs – I had improved a lot and was getting fitter. I thought about how awesome my mate Kahu was doing, he had bet me at a game of chess and I admired his strength and determination.

Kahu, and friend Matty Town, after beating me at Chess!

November 21st Rolled around, Queenstown Marathon day. I had 4 hours in the back of my mind and it was cloudy and quite chilly, near perfect running conditions. We started at Millbrook and headed through Arrowtown, where everyone was in good spirits and towards the end it was a thrill to run through the closed streets of Queenstown with random supporters cheering everyone on. I finished in 4 hours 6 minutes and was stoked to see my Mum and Dad at the finish. Then it was back to Wanaka and time to rest up with 2 weeks to go for the ultimate goal- The Kepler Challenge!

Queenstown Marathon.

Kahu was doing awesome he had now made it to the top of Mount Iron. I was impressed as it is a tough wee climb and a perfect hill to run and train on. Friday the 4th of December came around and I packed my gear and running shoes into the car and headed to Te-Anau excited and pretty nervous at the same time! I caught up with Grant Guise and got some nice last minute tips and was stoked to meet running legend Malcolm Law! Malcolm’s book one step beyond had inspired me after he ran 7 of the great New Zealand walks in 7 days. The Kepler was his last stop!

The view on the way to Luxmore Hut.

The briefing was that night and the next morning bright and early at 6am we were underway, this one was for my buddy Kahu. Grant was out in the bush supporting everyone at the start and I gave him a high five as I ran past, finding out later that he would get 3rd in the 27Km Luxmore Grunt! The run to the first hut, Luxmore was a grind- I checked the time and it was 10 to 8. I was feeling good and got my gear checked by the people dressed up as animals at the first aid station it was going to be a long day but fun! I understood early on why we needed all the gear, I put on my polypro and jacket as a cold southerly was coming through and some sideways rain blowing on my face! Pretty soon the gloves came on as well! I got onto the switch backs and running was a breeze it felt good and I met up with another mate who I’d met at every event I’d done previously Glen Christiansen, from Cromwell. We had a good yarn until we got to the Christmas themed aid station Iris Burn where I fueled up and he went on ahead. He told me to pace myself because now it starts to hurt, with 25kms to go!! He was right, from only eating energy bars, fruit, jet planes, drinking GU and water all day, my body started playing tricks on me and I started feeling sick. I got to Rocky Point had an orange and a rest, and carried on to Moturau Hut, which was 16kms to go. I sat down at one of the tables and had a decent rest, drank some more water and got up again, I was determined to finish this.

It was a good feeling heading into Rainbow Reach, at the 9km to go spectator area. Mum and Dad had come to support me and I told Mum I was exhausted but I plodded on. It was the longest 9km of my life! Every hill big or small was torture! 5km to go there was another aid station, another cup of water and I carried on. By now I could hear the sound of the commentator’s voice travelling down the Waiau River- more torture! I continued on, shattered and exhausted and made it to the finish line in 9hours and 47 Minutes! A finisher’s medal went round my neck and I had my photo taken! Mum and Dad greeted me I was tired but pretty stoked with what I’d just achieved. Kahu hadn’t given up and even though I felt like it, I hadn’t give up either!

Kepler Finish line.

That night after dinner Grant invited me around to where he was staying for some long overdue beers! and a catch up on the day’s events. Among others Malcolm and his wife Sally Law were there, Ruby Muir the first girl home in 5 and a half hours! Matt Bixley and 2nd place getter in the Luxmore Grunt, Kristian Day. There was lots of camaraderie in the room and it was cool to be there and meet those talented people. I was hooked on running and we were already thinking ahead to the New Year and planning our next events! Motatapu, The Routeburn Classic? Who knows! So thanks to everyone who has supported me in my new hobby and my friend Kahu for being such an inspiration. This Quote helped me throughout the year when I felt like quitting “It always seems impossible until it’s done” Nelson Mandela.

I have always wanted to write an iRunFar-esque preview. So I went to their TNF50 preview as I do each year as it’s on at the same time as the Kepler. However I just don’t know enough about everyone in the field to name 57 men and 35 woman as people to content, win, podium, watch or not start. So I’ll keep it brief.

Last year 57th place male went to Wayne Ramage, he’s lining up again this year. Wayne is a Mosgiel local so as I write this he’s about 5km away at work, like I am supposed to be. He has plenty of experience with this being his 4th Kepler and has the goal that most of us who return regularly aim for, and that is to run a PB. I’ll bet a lazy $5 he lines up for his five year medal next year as well. Have a great day Wayne.

On the womans side, 35th place went to Cherie Richardson, but she doesn’t appear to be starting this year. The nearest I can find who is returning is Sally ‘The Gazelle’ Law. Word on the street is that Sally has been on a coaching program, so if conditions are favourable expect to see her run a PB.

Womans Field-

Ruby Muir winning the 2012 Kepler.

Last years 1st and 2nd, Ruby Muir and Beth Cardelli have been joined by the return of the record holder Zelah Morrall.

Ruby Muir – in 2012 Ruby (as far as I can tell) became the 2nd fastest woman at the Kepler with a 5:37:55. Since then, while injury hasn’t stopped her from winning it has hindered her desire to chase the race record of 5:23:34 set by Zelah in 2003. Ruby has spent the winter running Cross Country and Marathons, so barring anything going wrong, I suspect she will be motivated to push hard from the start and see what she can achieve.

Zelah Morrall – 5:40ish jogging around taking photos in 2002, followed by her race record and 2nd overall in 2003 before returning home to the UK never to be heard from again. Until now. It may well be 12 years since the race record, but THIS year she ran her Marathon PB of 2:47 in London, and October/November have seen her run two more in what I assume was a solid training block. Who knows what she will be capable of on Saturday, but the track will be in better condition and she is faster than when she set her record.

Unless Ruby or Zelah have other plans or some misfortune, the race will be between those two, a 5:30 or course record is possible.

Beth Cardelli – a fantastic and dominant year of running in the inaugural SkyrunningANZ series, a 6:07 last year but should go better than that. Exceptionally good climber and if the above two are conservative, Beth could take the QOM title.

Lizzie Wesley-Smith – 1st at Abel Tasman, 1st at Jumbo Holdsworth (Course Record) and plenty of marathon experience.

There haven’t been two woman break six hours since 2010. These four could.

Mens Field-

Martin Dent on his way to setting the Kepler course record in 2013.

The return of last years top three, plus 3x winner Vajin Armstrong and Australian David Byrne.

Martin Dent – All good journalist have sources, I’m not a journalist so I make stuff up, maybe. “Marty is in great shape. I reckon he’ll clear out early.”
When one of the contenders says that, you’d have to think that another 4:3x is on the cards of conditions play their part. Everyone else is running for 2nd.

Mark Green – 2nd last year, but I suspect will need to improve on 5:04 and is six foot track 3:20 earlier this year suggest that is possible.

Stafford Thompson – ran out to the swamp after Moturau then corrected himself only to start running back to Moturau before being further corrected by Mark Green. Clearly a man who knows how to run right to the very limit. Expect to see him push the 5 hour mark.

Vajin Armstrong – the 3x Champion with a 4:55pb is back. You’ll never die wondering if Vajin has been training hard, he very rarely has a bad day and is very self-aware of his strengths and weaknesses.

David Byrne – editor in chief at “The Long Run”. David is from the old school, where “elite” means you’ve been to World Champ or Olympics, not someone who wins back yard races. The former Strayan XC rep, has been quietly dipping his toe into trail running in the last couple of years, bit by bit. My pick is for Dave and Vajin to go hammer and tongs at each other with the result being a coin toss for 2nd.

Steven McKinstry- A name I’ve always wanted to see on the start list. He is a Three Peaks winner, 2 day coast to coast winner as an individual and teams, with a 4th fastest ever over the Mingha/Deception run.

QUIZ – who is the fastest Miler and 3000m runner in the field. He’s my dark horse for the top five.

Luxmore Grunt –

In the woman, expect to see Emma Rilen, Louisa Andrew and Shireen Crumpton to battling it out. In the men’s, it is likely to be a race between Tane Cambridge, Kirsten Day and Richard Ford.

Running the Kepler can be tricky and getting your pacing wrong can make the last section from Rainbow Reach long. Really messing up your pace and the run down the Iris Burn can be very very long. While seeing people implode so badly they are reduced to walking down hill has a certain entertainment value, what is far more entertaining is seeing people run to their full potential. So to help people cash in on the hard training Matt Bixley has made the tables below to help with pacing.

I deleted Facebook for a while, had some time out. Highly recommended and not even sure why I reactivated it. Perhaps it’s my lack of will power or OCD and like the Kepler, I keep coming back. About an hour into my return (edit: 23 minutes exactly) a request came in for splits on the Kepler, the 2^nd request for splits came in precisely 89 minutes after the 1^st. The 3^rd request ………

So here we are, my favourite time of year, pouring over useless bits of information about an arbitrary, but beautiful loop in a remote part of South-West New Zealand. With Kepler #11 about to be enjoyed with friends here is my best guess at the times you need to run for each section of the track. Actually it’s not a best guess, it is remarkably accurate given the constraints of variation in human performance. There are a lot of caveats and little old heteroscedasticity (look it up and try and say it, even better, try and use it in conversation one day J ) is a bit of an issue. I have data, I developed a model, I used terms like machine learning, k-fold, cross-validation. None of that means anything if you’re not reasonably fit, aware of your abilities and realistic about your goals.

Above Luxmore Hut

The run to Iris Burn should take just a little longer than the run from there to the finish. That should hold true for everyone in an ideal world. But the race is long, so getting things wrong is all too common. It’s all too easy to do the first half much harder than your skills dictate. I say skills, because even the fittest can outrun their abilities in the 1^st half, particularly in getting to Luxmore Hut. There is many a story of a 72 minute trip and 4^th place to Luxmore, followed by a grovel home in 6 plus hours.

Having goals is worthwhile, but the above tables should be used as a tool, not a target. If you have a time goal, but the split to Luxmore finds you putting in too much effort, you’d better give up on your goal and settle down. You have more chance of getting close to it if you let it go. If you keep pushing you will suffer. The 1st three quarters of the run HAS to feel comfortable and easy (read  My Way  to understand what I mean). Sometimes however, the risk of blowing up is worth it. Two of the three splits that I’ve tailored, are for specific, down to the minute goals, sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than the personal races between mates to beat their time. That holds true for the full length of the field, not just the Martin Dents. Speaking of whom, these are Martin Splits for his 2013 course record 4:33:37

Brod Bay – 20 min
Climb to Luxmore Hut – 44 min
Forest Burn – 26 min
Hanging Valley – 20 min
Iris Burn – 30 min
Rocky Point – 36 min
Moturau – 34 min
Rainbow Reach – 24 min
Finish – 39 Min

Some interesting things to note about those. Several 5+ hour runners get to Brod Bay in 21 minute each year. Phil Costley reached Luxmore 1 minute quicker in his record run and ran the last section 2 minutes quicker. Several people each year run 30-31 minutes for the descent to Iris Burn, ie Course record pace, slow down. Both Martin and Phil while not only talented, were clearly very aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and ran to those.

As an about to be unemployed statistician I should be selling this information. Offers of jobs, cash and beer would be greatly appreciated thanks. If anyone wants something specific and/or tailored to their skills and goals then let me know and I can work something out. email: mattbixley72@gmail.com

Accuracy: >95% if you run smart,

This weekend, in the Canterbury foothills, the final race in the inaugural New Zealand/ Australia Skyrunning Series will wrap up with the “Sky Rock n Run” on Mt Oxford. With 3600mD+ the race climbs from Coppers Creek, up to Mt Oxfords summit, down to the Whalfdale and then up to Black Hill. From here the course re-traces its steeps down Black Hill and back over Mt Oxford.

While I would love to offer a full blown preview, I 1) Don’t have time, 2) or have a start list……. Adrian puts on a good race, but is terrible at getting a starters list out

I for this reason don’t really know what woman are running. Beth Cardelli has the series sewn up and from what I hear, don’t expect to see her  racing at Oxford on Saturday. Whitney Dagg who won Mt Difficulty is out with injury and Jo Johansen just raced the Tarawera 50km, so unlikely they will be there either. It is wide open.

Expect Kellie Emmerson from Australia and local multisporter Sia Svendsen to duke it out for line honers.

Via the grapevine I have heard a few “names” that will be lining up in the men’s race-

Ben on his way to winning the Shotover Moonlight in 2014.

Ben Duffus is back! He owned the Hounslow Classic 6 weeks ago and more recently ran the 2nd fasted time ever at the Kawerau King of the Mountain- very very impressive. This is his, no doubt the “race” will be for 2nd. “If” Ben wins, the series shoudl be his.

John Winsbury stated months ago he was aiming for the series win and after his big win at Mt Difficulty it was all on. A injured toe ruled him out of Hounslow, which makes the series win that little bit harder, but still doable.

Expect Nick Hirschfeld (crazy fast Routeburn’s) and Brendon Bradley (2nd at the Mt Somers Marathon in October) to be in the mix also.

It should be a great finish to what has been a great fist ever Skyrunning Series down this way.

The second annual Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon takes place this coming Saturday morning and a record 9,000 athletes from all parts of NZ and the globe are lining up to contest one of the three distances on offer, these include the full marathon, the half marathon and the 10km dash!

The Marathon course follows a scenic point to point route from the picturesque Millbrook Resort and follows the Queenstown Trail’s Trust trail into central Queenstown, there is a good variety of trail and road to negotiate and a few gentle undulations along the way, it finishes in the Queenstown Recreation Ground.

This year will see a total of 2,000 athletes lining up for the Marathon distance, expect  fierce and exciting competition at the business  end of both the men’s and the women’s  race this year.

James Parsons crossing for the win in last years Qt Marathon. James is defending his title in 2015.

The men’s field includes last year’s winner James Parsons 28 of Napier who will be gunning to retain his title, with him is Hirotaka Tanimoto 30 of Wellington, Tanimoto won this year’s Christchurch Marathon, added into the mix are Stephen Lett 31 of Auckland, winner of the 2014 Auckland Marathon, and Wanaka triathlete Ben Logan 30, who is also raising funds for the Epilepsy Collective foundation, expect young Ben to lay his heart on the line for this personal campaign. Keep an eye too on Sweden runner Simon Karlsson 26 for a possible dark horse surprise result.

The women’s field is equally exciting on paper! It appears it will be a possible 4 way battle, with Australian based orthodontist Dr Vic Beck 33, last year’s marathon winner who has travelled back to retain her title,  she will have the evergreen Mel  Aitkin 38 a Police Inspector from Dunedin to contend with. Mel was second in this race last year, but she is something of a different runner now, with numerous NZ titles under her belt since last year, and plenty of experience to boot. Keeping both of these young ladies honest will be Yingjie Sun 36 from Beijing, China and Shannon-Leigh Litt 36 of Christchurch.

In the Half Marathon where, 5,000 athletes are lining up this yea,r it will be a battle royal in the men’s race between last year’s winner  Adam  Jaques  28 of Christchurch up against fellow Cantabrian Chris Dunell 28. But don’t be at all surprised if local Queenstowner  Thijs Hubber 32puts the pressure these two and wins the race, he is a fast and experienced athlete  and was 2^nd in the2015 Dunedin Marathon.

The women’s field sees the return of both the the winner of the 2014 Queenstown Half, Lizzie Spencer 30 of Christchurch and runner up Sarah Gardiner 39 also of Christchurch. Expect both these ladies to be at or close to the front pack with the very likely company of Australia’s Claire Ashworth 29 who has a Half PB of 1:16:17.

Best of luck to all the runners and let’s hope for better conditions from the weather gods for this years running.

Peak Trail Blazer start.

In near-perfect running conditions, a record-breaking 720 people took part over the two courses, with Mr Speakman crossing the finish line in an eye-watering 46:40 on the 12.8km Te Mata Peak trail, beating the previous course record of 50:54 set in 2012 by Scotsman Graham Bee.  

Mr Speakman also took home the newly-formed ‘Lucky Legs’ prize for both the quickest up- and down-hill legs pocketing a further $100 for his efforts, and was inducted in to the prestigious Hall of Flames sub 60 club along with 20 other runners, the largest number of people inducted to date.

An Olympic 1500m hopeful, Mr Speakman is a Napier Harrier who has recently returned from Stonybrook University in New York after graduating in May.  

Race Director Jo Throp said the results were amazing.  “We’d heard prior to the race predictions the Sub-50 barrier may be broken, and when we recorded Eric at the top of the Peak in 27:20, we knew it was game on!  But to break it by such a margin – we’re a little lost for words, really.”

Eric Speakman crossing the finish in record time.

Ruby Muir retained her Hawke’s Bay Orthodontics Queen of the Peak title for the second year, crossing the line in 55:25, convincingly beating her time of 56:06 from 2014 and setting a new female record.

But Ms Throp said that people shouldn’t be fooled by the apparent ease with which the top runners cross the finish line.  “I can tell you that these guys don’t just roll out of bed and run this fast.  It takes a lot of training and dedication to run like this – it still hurts, they’ll be wobbly on their legs for a few of days and most of them need to walk at some stage on the course.”

Rod McDonald Wines King of the Peak Eric Speakman said he was feeling pretty tired.  “The climb up Te Mata Peak was a lot more challenging than I remember, but it’s an awesome course – hard and fast to begin with along Joll Road, with little time for rest on the way up, but then you fly down the other side.”

He spoke at the prize giving about the amazing vibe of the event which he had been hoping to compete in for the last couple of years, commenting on the great ‘shout outs’ he’d received from others on the course on his way up and down.  

Walking on the Te Mata Peak trail, Derren Hutchinson took out the title crossing in 1:37:01 bettering his time from last year by a mere 40 seconds, while not far behind him Anna Treadwell came in at 1:40:31 in her first attempt at the Peak Trail Blazer.

Sixteen year old Napier Boys High School student Bradley Christison 52:30 took the title of Up & Coming (fastest 5-17 year old boy on 12.8km Te Mata Peak), coming 4th over all and running himself into the Hall of Flames.

Olivia Webster from Hastings out the female Up & Coming in a time of 1:17:09.  Both up and comings will get some guidance and training help from Steve Willis, Athletics NZ and local man Craig McDougall, Hastings Giants Boxing Academy.  

Second place in the men’s 12.8km Te Mata Peak trail went to Lucas Duross 51:14, who was the King of the Peak in 2011, and third place ($50) went to Devon Beckman 51:35.  Second place ($150) in the women’s 12.8km Te Mata Peak trail went to Dulia Daly 59:35 and third to Kirsty Skidmore 1:05:03.  

On the short course, the Tainui Trail, the title of Prince of Tainui went to Arthur Miller School student Seb Barton-Ginger 17:51 and from Parkvale Primary Aniela Apperley 19:13 on what had been a slightly longer course than in previous years due to the changes made in the Tainui Reserve because of safety concerns.  

Back on the 12.8km Te Mata Peak trail, earning themselves a bottle of wine each and a place on the highly-sort after Hall of Flames sub-60 club leaderboard which hangs at Hawthorne Coffee in Havelock North are 21 runners: Eric Speakman 46:40, Lucas Duross
51:14, Devon Beckman 51:35, Bradley Christison 52:30, Ross McIntyre 52:40, Brad Donovan 52:56, Duncan Morrison 54:15, Phil McKay
55:17, Ruby Muir 55:25, Steve Charles 55:25, Greg Thurlow 56:26, Dougie Kyle 56:35, Nathan Biggs 56:41, Kane Elms 57:18, Damien Christofis, 57:43, Leighton Clark 57:49, Ben Wright 58:02, Andy Horne 59:11, Dulia Daly 59:35, Vernon Preston 59:35, Stefan Holm 59:36.

Ms Throp said organisers were thrilled with how the day went.  “We certainly had our challenges this year, there’s always something to throw a spanner in the works, but the people who take part and their enthusiasm for the event make it all worth while and keep us coming back.”

The brainchild of three Havelock North Primary mums, Rachel Cornwall, Susie Devonshire and Jo Throp, the event aimed to raise funds for the school, raise the school’s profile within the wider community, promote health and wellbeing, and utilize the fantastic natural resources of the Tainui Reserve and Te Mata Peak.  

As well as raising funds for Havelock North Primary, the event has donated over $17,000 to the community to date.  This year 20% of the funds raised would be donated to the Te Mata Peak Trust and a further 20% to Heretaunga Women’s Centre.

Peak Trail Blazer gold sponsors are Aesthetic Dental, Rod McDonald Wines, Natasha Bousfield Tremains, Hawthorne Coffee, Hawke’s Bay Orthodontics, Bramwell Grossman Lawyers, BWR Chartered Accountants and SpecSavers Hastings, along with silver sponsors Good Pixel, MR Labels, Shoe Clinic Napier, ImThere and Simon Cartwright Photography.  The event is supported by Sport Hawke’s Bay.

Full results will be placed on the website as soon as possible at www.peaktrailblazer.co.nz

Women
Going into the weekend only Jo Johansen had a realistic chance of knocking Beth Cardelli of the top of the ladder. Ill health curtailed that and with one Race left in the series, Beth Cardelli is a thoroughly deserving winner of the series, She won Hillary, placed 2nd at Buffalo, fronted up at Mt Difficulty for a race and conditions that do not suit her and completely dominated Hounslow. I got to spend some time talking to her husband Brian on Saturday afternoon and he is rightly proud of her achievements this year. Trained and raced smart and not overdone things. Her Houslow report can be read here Hounslow Report 

Although on the surface Beth has dominated the series, there appears to be more depth around than previously. Injury, other commitments and just bad luck have kept some others away from the top of the table. Focussing on 3 races is probably enough to win the series if you’re good enough (see mens)

Men
WOW – going into the race it looked like Grant Guise and John Winsbury were the front runners to take the series based on form and likelihood of entering the last two races. That has been thrown out the window and going into the last race of the series, there NINE names who could win overall with 4 or 5 having a genuine shot.

Here is how the table currently looks, technically Chris Morrissey, Eric Holt and Blake Hose (all on 300 points) could also win, as could Andrew Tuckey (450) but he is in Wales.

Everything else I write from now is just informed guess work. At Sky Rock ‘n’ Run there are 400, 300, 225, 169, and 127 points available for the top 5. Anything below that is likely to be irrelevant.

So who is showing up?
Ben Duffus (pencil him in for 400 points), Grant Guise (course designer), Martin Lukes (he should, it’s his backyard), John Winsbury indicated earlier in the year he’d be toeing the line.

Could front but I doubt it.
David Byrne is here in a few days for his honeymoon (congrats to you and Emma) and then back for the Kepler, so I doubt he’ll show. Tom Brazier knows what the table looks like and would be fantastic if he came over. Scott Hawker - retired (his words).

The no idea but could mess things up category.
Danny Garrett - gone off the local radar in the last few months, probably can’t win the series, but if he lines up he will have a huge bearing on how it plays out. This course will suit him.
Vajin Armstrong - loves a good hit out two weeks prior to the Kepler.

edit: I had something else written that gave the run down on who needed to do what to win, but the Ginger one vetoed that, sandbagging.

This weekend the inaugural  running of the Hounslow Classic will take place in the Grose Valley of the Blue Mountains of Australia. The Hounslow is part of the 2015 ANZ Skyrunning Series and like the Buffalo Stampede back in April a strong crew of New Zealand runners will travel over to take on the best “skyrunners” in Australia.

Hounslow has 2 distances- 68km with 4100mD+ on the Saturday and 23km with 1700mD+ on the Sunday, with girls and guys from New Zealand likely to podium, if not take the win in both distances.

Ruby Muir, when fit and healthy, has the potential to win whenever she takes to a start line- no matter the distance or terrain. Most are well familiar with her trail/mountain running exploits, but over the last year Ruby has been running more and more road, in both training and events- winning this year’s Wellington Marathon in 2hr49. Ruby is running the 23km SkyRun at Hounslow as she works towards defending her Kepler Challenge title.

Kristian Day has also been focusing big on roads and speed as of late. From the outside looking in Kristian seems to be easily running the best he ever has, as he works towards the Auckland Marathon on the 1st of November. How this road forms transfers into a 23km trail race with 1700m vertical is another question, but I am sure he will be in the mix on Sunday.

Jo Johansen ground out a tough day at the Tarwera Ultra earlier in the year, but seems to be back on track and showing the form that saw her win the 2014 TuM and Hillary Ultras. Jo had solid outings at the Buffalo Stampede and Mt Difficulty Skyrunning races and recently won the  Kinloch Offroad Marathon. The Hounslow 68km course should play to Jo’s strengths!

Marty on his ways to placing 3rd at the Buffalo Stampede Ultra in April. Photo: Greg Robinson.

I think Marty Lukes was somewhat of an unknown to our brothers and sisters that occupy the West Island before the Buffalo Stampede Ultra earlier in the year. After placing 3rd (2nd in the Oceania Sky Running Champs) he goes into the Hounslow as the highest place getter from Buffalo. For the win, it will be a race between Marty, Ben Duffas and John Winsbury.

Other kiwis toeing the line-

Jean Beaumont is as tough as they come. A former Northburn 100mile winner and record holder. Add podium finish in her age group at the 2014 UTMB and a sub 25hr, 10th place at this years Leadville 100, Jean will be in mix.

Matt Bixely returns to Australia for his 3rd Skyrunning event on the West Island. I am sure he travels over for the smack-talking as much as he does for the runs themselves. Matt enjoys nothing more than damaging peoples egos and I expect there will be a bit of that come Saturday if he runs as well as he did at Mt Difficulty back in June.

Grant Guise- too much beer and not enough chocolate after walking and napping my way around UTMB for 35hrs, but I am looking forward to a fun day  in the Grose Valley all them same.

The 2016 Chia Abel Tasman Coastal Classic was run in perfect conditions on Saturday in a welcome contrast I’m sure to last year’s terrible weather that everyone experienced.

This was my first run in this premier South Island event and it feels good to have ticked this race off the list of ”trail run events you simply must do at least once in a lifetime”

Nelson Events duo of Graeme and Avril West with the support of their daughter Amanda , son in law Greg and team operate a slick operation.

Every aspect of the 36k  race is carried out with a military like precision and this provides competitors with a fantastic overall experience.

The day begins early with a finely tuned registration process at the event marque in Marahau and then loading a capacity field of 300 competitors onto well appointed launches for the cruise to the start line at Awaroa.

On the way there is plenty of time for a photo opportunity at Split Apple Rock and a short  diversion to observe the Seals basking on the rocks of a nearby island out crop.

At Awaroa we disembark onto the beautiful sandy white beach there and group together before embarking on a short stroll through the native flaura and fauna to the start line.

On the start line we meet Avril again and she runs through the  briefing with us all and then suddenly before you can blink the horn is blown for a mass start and we’re off on our way heading the 36k journey back to Marahau.

Florence Van Dyke along Onetahuti Beach, CHIA ATCC 2015. Photo: Paul Webster

The pace accelerates as we all jostle for position and within a few minutes the trail narrows to single track and passing becomes a little more tricky.

Soon I find myself  comfortably in 10th place overall and I feel quite relaxed and settle into a good pace.

The top three guys have fired the afterburner very early on and soon they are clear of the rest of us and their race continues to become literally a race of three.

Among them are the  pre race favorite, Nelsons Simon Mardon a seasoned campaigner and now running in the veterans category, in his company are both Chris Dunell of Christchurch and Sarwan Chand of Greymouth.

It is Dunell who eventually makes a break away from the other two at the half way point and continues to race ‘solo’ for the remainder of the race completing the distance in a very respectable 2 hours and 33 min,  Mardon is 2nd to finish in a time of 2 hours and 39 min with Chand 3rd in a time of 2 hours and 46 min.

Meanwhile I find myself rubbing shoulders with the early leading women and there are three young ladies running gazelle- like, pumping out a blistering pace and easily in the top 10 overall.

Leading the women’s charge is Nelsons own Lizzie Wesley-smith, she has really put the hammer down and is delivering a clear and firm message to the other girls, with a “catch me if you can pace”.

Lizzie eventually goes on to win the women’s race in a staggering time of 2 hours and 57 minutes for 4th place overall!. Equally as impressive it is Tania McWilliams of Christchurch who shines with a 2nd placing in the women’s field and 5th place overall! Fiona Hayvice rounds off the top three women with a time of 3 hours flat and 7th overall.

I’m now jostling with Fiona Hayvice, who is running strongly in her trade mark shoes, we keep trading the lead role for a good 23k before she catches a second wind and drops me leaving me to complete the rest of the race on my own.

At the  24k mark and with 12k still to run I am seriously thinking I may have underestimated the task at hand and I am regretting the lack of recent running under my belt.

Unfortunately the 7k training runs around the Jacks Point loop in Queenstown do not equate to keeping up this pace for too much longer and this lack of preparation is now becoming clear as I slow and lose the lead in my category to the hard man from Christchurch, Garry Jones, who comes smoking past me and then Dr Roland Meyer from Queenstown reels me in too, bugger.

However there is enough interest on the trail itself to negate the pain and the twinges of disappointment at losing this lead.

Stunning and inspiring technical trail underfoot with plenty of glimpses out to the turquoise waters, white sands and secluded bays of this coastal trail make for some of the best trail I’ve experienced and ever will I imagine, all in all these distractions are truly spell binding.

Eventually the finish shute finally looms ahead and I cross the finish line more than happy with my effort and very pleased to complete this epic journey in a time of 3 hours and 7 minutes for a 3rd place in my division and 13th overall.

I am immediately  handed a very welcoming bottle of Chia drink and I help myself to the fresh pineapple and orange quarters on offer.

Now I can relax and lay in the sun waiting for my friends and then look forward to the complimentary  lunch provided, a hot shower and then the all included delicious buffet dinner followed by rewards ceremony, all of which exceed my expectations.

Huge ups to all the Nelson Events team and their crew of “helping hands”.

Thanks to my good buddy and Great Wall Marathon travelling companion Genessa Tabak for encouraging me to do this event and for hosting my stay at Kaiteri with Aaron.

Also a special mention to my personal sponsor Inov8, to Air New Zealand and of course my partner Toni Bird who help make these events happen for me.

Huge congratulations to all the competitors who completed this spectacular run, you are all very much enriched by the personal achievements you have experienced I’m sure and we are all very piveledged to have have been a part of such an exciting experience, running one of New Zealands most unique and  treasured tracks.

Now you may wish to contact Graeme and the team to find out about another epic trail they are planning very soon on the renowned Heaphy Track? I believe this trail is also very  stunning.

Hope to see some of you at  the Pyramid Run in Twizel next month, part of Labour Weekends Hard Labour events.

Experience mountain runner Andrew Town ventures north for his first run at the Abel Tasman Coastal Classic tomorrow and shares with us who might be in the mix tomorrow at the 22nd running of the Able Tasman Coastal Classic.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Classic first began in 1994 and quickly became one of New Zealand’s most popular Trail Runs. The reputation of the event, the location and its organisation continues to spread via word of mouth and it sells out every year, although not quite as quickly as that other South Island classic, the Kepler Challenge.

Top athletes are among the competitor tally over the years including Scott Molina, Erin Baker, Greg Fraine, Jonathan Wyatt, Tracy Clissold, Michelle Allison, Phil Costley and Rod Dixon (to name drop just a few).

Not surprisingly Phil Costley holds the current course record with a time of 2hours and 22 min set back in 2002. Not many runners (usually only the top 10) go under the magic 3 hour barrier on this undulating trail which includes some technical trail as well as sandy beaches to negotiate. This Saturday over 300 runners will converge to race the 36km Trail Run from Awaroa to Marahau along the renowned Abel Tasman National Park. “It’s been on my bucket list for a number of years, so I’m really excited to be heading up there for the 2016 event and it looks like a real adventure with a scenic boat trip from Marehau up the coast to the start line at Awaroa”.

A quick glance at the start list for 2016 shows a very strong women’s field including Lizzie Wesley-smith of Nelson who came home in under 3 hours last year with a time of 2 hours 54 minutes and Florence Van dyke of Auckland who was 3 hours flat. Fiona Jane Wright Hayvice will be competitive after a strong 2015, which has included a top 5 finish at the Tarawera 100km.

The men’s field looks wide open on paper with none of the top place getters from last year looking to return for the 2016 event. But watch for local veteran, Simon Mardon of Nelson, Matthew Clarke from Australia, Nigel Kirk of Wellington in the men’s 50-59 hard man Garry Jones from Christchurch who finished in a time of 3 hours and 7 min last year with Chris Gates from Nelson close behind.

Good luck everyone who is racing this year and I look forward to seeing you up there.