Below is, our guesstimate, of the top 15 males and females in the Skyrunning Australia New Zealand Oceania Series after 5 of the 7 races. Hounslow Classic and Sky Rock ‘n’ Run both have 400 points available for the winners. Scores with an * are unlikely to add to their points this year.

Women
Beth Cardelli keeps her spot at the top of the Table but Jo Johansen has moved close enough that she could take the title. Two wins for Whitney Dagg would also see her put pressure on the top of the table and she is likely to start the last two races in the series. With a bit of luck we’ll see Emma Rilen and Hanny Allston having another run somewhere as well.

Series leader Beth Cardelli at last weekends Mt Difficulty Ascent. Photo: Crank Photos.

Men

It’s all on for young and old in this table. John Winsbury is back to some of his best form and has confirmed he’s lining up at the Sky Rock ‘n’ Run in November (and we expect to see him at Hounslow also). Dave Byrnes work commitments saw him miss the Mt Difficulty Ascent in the weekend but again he’s stated an intention to turn up in NZ as well. Add Grant Guise, Andrius Ramonas and Martin Lukes to that list and Scotty Hawker will have his work cut out holding on to #1.

Interestingly, of the 30 names on the 2 lists above, only 15 of those have run in more than 1 race in the series.

Its not just the toughness factor and the out of this world scenery of Waterfalls, massive sand dunes, clifftops and hundreds of years old native Kauri forest that keeps me coming back to the Hilliary, it is also now part of the Oceania Skyrunning series. I had alot more fear and anxiety going into the Hilliary this time as my performance at TuM left me seriously doubting my abilities as a runner. Under new Guidance and help I was nervous but had trust in my training and was looking forward to seeing how the race pans out.

We start at the Arataki visitor center where Sarah Hilliary handed Shaun a very special meaningful scarf from Tibet associated with her father, the late Sir Ed.

The countdown starts and we head off on the trail named in honour of Sir Edmund Hilliary-what a legend. We start off comfortably in the dark its very muggy and murky and the sweat is dripping in the first 5kms, I just knew from here that this is going to be a hot day. The trail starts out very technical from go with lots and lots of tree roots, twists and turns, steep ups and downs- I love this type of technical running through native bush. At this point dark is turning into light, I meet up with Fiona and soon enough Beth and an Aussie guy who is doing his second ultra and coached by Brendan Davies.. We have a good banter about races and the trail for a wee while till we pull away from each other. I follow Beth and not long after that I take my first fall when heading into a dip jumping on a log to slip right off smashing my knee into another log losing all grip, hats, headlamps and all. With the knee throbbing I keep my speed to catch up with Beth and within a couple of kms of running downhill fast I completely lose control on the trail and go right off course into scrub and bush. I find this more hilarious then hurting. Coming out the bush I roll my ankles twice. In total for the day I counted 10 times I rolled my ankles- the next event they will be strapped!

Coming into Huia I was already limping but felt strong and happy. I grab a whole lot of gingernuts, a banana, water and head off. Here was the first big climb of the day – less then 2k up to the ridgeline, with just over 400m ascent. Basically when you leave each aid station on The Hilliary trail you always climb up. At this stage leaving Huia, Beth was just in front of me, as we start this steep climb, which we hike fast. Getting up onto the ridgeline it flattens out to some short fast running and then after some big undulations we top out, the cloud has lifted away and we are on clifftops, with views of the harbor and Whatipu Valley. This is probably my favorite part of the course and I am filled with excitement with being in such a wild environment.

Running on the edge of a sharp clifftop in between native bush with waves crashing below, only you and nature. This was only the time I forgot I was in a race. It was a steep descend into Whatipu aid station. Out of water I was quick to hydrate and for the first time ever I use the sports electrolyte drink supplied by R-line ,which I actually really liked and went down well. I was also going with eating alot more real food then usual, taking my time at aid stations looking at what I actually felt like instead of speeding through. It was a day of hot cross buns, tonnes of gingernuts, bananas, snacklogs,snickners bars and a few gels. Seems alot and when I look back and at times I felt heavy- funny that, so next time I wont over load.

Leaving Whatipu into a 200m vertical climb with weaving technical single track ahead. Throughout the course there are a series of foot baths where you brush your shoes and stamp over a spongey soapy path. This is to stop the spread of the  Kaui dieback disease.We want to keep our native bush thriving and surviving- not dying. Once again the climb flattens and undulates then to a big zig zag steep descent into the marshlands. It was a relief to cross through a high stream cooling off the legs and face. I made the most out of each stream crossing as I ran out of water all day long . Moving round the broadwalks you climb up a valley that drops into Kara Kare. Starting to feel the pain here and knowing the suffering is about to start, I am not really worried bout catching Beth or Fiona catching me, I focus more on being able to see my brother at Piha which will be delightful and just what I need.

Jo refueling at Piha.

The heat of the day was in full force, but at least the further into the course, the less technical the trail gets. getting to closer to Piha I started to see more people out and about and the track was much more easier. Running along the tarmac road was not as bad as I thought, but cars, people, a big sun beating down and each step hurting, I was hating the arrival into Piha, that was until Is seen my brother standing there. The guys and girls on the aid station here are fantastic and are onto your needs before you even need to think about it. Knowing my brother will see me at each aid station from here until end reassures me. From here you head along the very busy beach for a km or two and it is hard to pinpoint where to pull off the beach,but thankfully a could see one runner 400ms ahead.

Knowing its only 34ks to go I am slightly uplifted and  focus in on get the job done. Another 200m climb- we head up onto farmland and in the open from now on with wide clay tracks that are a nice change and easier to run. Passing by waterfalls  (which I nearly jumping in) you then come to the walls of the Bethells sand dunes, first thing I think of is great hill repeat training here. You follow the stream below then pop out onto a road at Bethells beach. I’m pretty full from food here and feeling a bit over it, suffering with heat and hurt As I load the coke in a see Fiona arrive! Biggest fright I ever got and I forget about standing around and take off. For the first time I feel a burst of energy-  all the pain has gone and I am fighting for my position. It must be adrenaline, I just dig it in and say to myself that I am gonna push it like never before. I kept thinking I had been wasting my time feeling sorry for myself suffering mid way through the course.

The Hillary top 3 girls- Beth, Jo and Fiona.

The Last 16k is not far but there are other runners from the 16k & 34k distance on the course. Feeling the pressure I wanted none in the way and being on the narrow Te Henga walkway in the open sun was very challenging. Looking over my shoulder constantly I could see that I had pulled away from Fiona but I maintained my focus right till the end. Running out of water coming into Constable St aid station I abuse my brother for water. In a panic I drink lots of coke and go, the last 7 kms go quickly which is a surprise as I usually find the last kms take forever. Last 2kms come and I am absolutely busting to pee, but I definitely not stopping!. I am stoked to finish without any major problems, having a great day running and new experiences. Thank you so much Shaun for putting on another great, well organised event.Thanks to all the volunteers, supporters and my brother Joseph.Cant do it without these peeps- Ultimate Direction (Jenny Vesta and AK trucker for sun protection) , Hoka One One NZ (Kailua) and Marmot NZ.

PG13, contains gratuitous use of bad language. No athletes were hurt much in the telling of this story.

Anon – “Are you running it this year?”

Me – “No, I fucking hate 100k races, they’re shit, you have to actually run, I’ve quit 3 out of 4 that I started. “

Anon – “Yeah but you’ll be coming up to support again won’t you?”

Me – “Fuck no, if I’m going to blow family money and time on a race it’ll be one that I actually run.”

That conversation happened about 60 minutes after Tony Krupicka confirmed his entry to the 2013 race. Variations on the conversation had been floating around since Tim Olsen got the Charteris Guest slot. One of the things I like about the way Paul manages his race is that he is open an honest about holding slots for athletes that will add to the profile and competitiveness of the race. But back to the point of writing. The field is stacked, last year was just a preview. This time both fields are full of talent. Not all of them will start but that shouldn’t stop us getting excited, debating, probably hurting some feelings but mostly just looking forward to a quality event.

Women – Beth Cardelli, Vicki Paistowe, Sarah Biss, Ruby Muir, Deb Nichol, Dawn Tuffery, Nicola Gildersleeve?? Frosty?? Amy Campbell??

Picking the order for 2012 was a piece of cake. This time, mmmmm not so easy. I had the pleasure for quite some time during the Kepler running in front, with and then a long way behind Ruby and Sarah, shit they’re good. Ruby’s time there is seriously good. I’m a big believer of that course requiring knowledge on how to get over the hill to maximise the speed in the 2^nd half. She’ll knock huge chunks of her time next year. The tops alone were about 5 minutes slow this year. Sara, like Deb Nichol has been troubled with injuries. No one knows what Sarah could do if she’s fit. I’d like to think that she and Ruby would be together for a long time.

Beth Cardelli is pretty damn quick. 11:18 for the TNF100 this year, I haven’t bothered to do the maths but some think that’s worth a sub 10 at Tarawera, maybe, it’s certainly worth 60 minutes. Nicola ran 10:26 for an easy win this year, and who knows she might be back as well.

I had dinner with Vicki Paistowe last week as well. Tarawera came up, naturally. I learnt a few things. I think she’s better than she thinks she is. I doubt she could beat a fit Ruby and Sarah but she could certainly run 10 something.

Dawn Tuffery, where do you think you fit in. I’ll bet money you say you don’t belong. Rubbish. Not all the woman mentioned will start, at least one will have a bad day so a podium contender for sure.

Amy Campbell has other fish to fry I think and Frosty, well she landed this morning and who knows what she’ll do. I know she’s not running Northburn. She better not be as she’s my crew so you can rule her out of that. Shona Stevenson would have been a good addition but she’s entered Northburn. Which makes a nice segue to the men.

Men – Tim Olson, Tony Krupicka, Vajin Armstrong, Brendon Davies, Mick Donges, Jason Schlarb, Sage Canaday??? Martin Lukes??? Sam Wreford???

I met Brendan Davies on the neighbouring physio table in Llandudno. He’s another whiny arrogant Australian, and like a number of Aussies he can back that up. So I’ve kept in touch in the hope that I might someday learn something. He thrashed both Mick and Vajin in that flat trail race. This is the brief conversation I had with him just before his GNW race.

Brendan – “Northburn is tempting, Shona is trying to get me to go…we’ll see how we go here first. Tarawera still an option and overdue…”

Me – “If I were you I’d line up at Tarawera. Suits your skills. Northburn is 3/4 hiking. Suits me.”

Quietly I was hoping he’d stay the hell away from Northburn. He’s a bit good for my liking. With 6:55 100k form this year and a 10 minute defeat to Vajin not long after that 6:55 I think he is possibly the man to beat. He ran a negative split in the 6:55 which suggest he’ll run bloody fast after Tarawera Falls. His downfall may be over racing in Australia first.

Tim Olson – I think Western States and then Run Rabbit Run showed there are two Tim Olsons. Hopefully the Tim Olson who broke the race record in every other event he ran shows up. But this is a road race, not a mountain race.

Tony Krupicka – not going to quote what he said, suffice to say that he is pretty bloody happy about coming back to New Zealand fit, to race and to explore more. Last year he made comment about how easy the pace was at the start. I’d have to agree, any race I can hang on to for a couple of hours is easily paced. Expect it to go out a lot harder.

Jason Schlarb – Ran faster in Te Anau than I thought he would. Particularly after running 100 miler 5 weeks prior and then having to find a set of bike legs in the previous two weeks. Marty was surprised he couldn’t drop him in the last 10k from Rainbow Reach. He’ll be happy to go out at whatever pace.

Mick Donges – sick, injured crippled. But bloody happy to be finding some time to run and form to go with it again. Like Brendon he’s had both wins and losses to Vajin and is the defending champ. After watching and reading about his European season it wouldn’t surprise me to see him let a fast pace go and then pick up carnage. But I think the winner of this year will come from whoever lasts longest from a fast lead pack.

Vajin at TNF100 Austraila, Blue Mountains

Vajin Armstrong – Finally cracked the 5 hour in Te Anau and as I said above, that ridge was slow this year. One thing I’ve noticed about Vajin this year and was mentioned by Grant on the Tarawera Facebook page is that he is more focused towards key events. His American River win is NOT the 3^rd  fastest in race history as mentioned in the BCR performance poll. 5:53 is still bloody quick but is outside the top 10. Krupicka has gone 5:42 and Geoff Roes ran a 5:50, so maybe the course has changed and it’s 3^rd on the current course. It’ll be interesting to see what he does if this is his A race for the summer. Fast.

The Random Question Marks.

Martin Lukes never tells anyone what he is doing with any certainty. I reckon I’ll see him at Northburn.

Sam Wreford – I threw that in there because I think he could be talked into running again. If he does, he’ll win in a course record down near 8 hours and will then go to Korea with the New Zealand 100k team and they’ll come home with a team medal and maybe an individual.

Sage Canaday – comments on irunfar suggest he’s keen to come out, has asked what races there are and at White River (technical??) was 30 minutes quicker than Vajin. Apparently he’s a road runner and just to hammer the point, this is a road race.

So without much effort, there’s 1300 words on a race that is 3 months away and will only start with half the people mentioned, maybe.

In NO PARTICULAR Order
Women – Muir, Biss, Gildersleeve (Cardelli if no Nicola is a no show)

Men – Krupicka, Armstrong, Davies