The 2015 Motatapu Adventure Run was just that- an Adventure! Standing in the dark at Glendhu Bay, in what can only be described as pissing rain, was a stark contrast to the same race a year earlier.

For starters there was my level of fitness, which was lacking a little on a year ago. For the first time the Adventure Run could be done solo, or as the standard 2 person team- I was lining up solo after winning the team’s race last year with Matt Bixley, as was the 4^th place finisher at the 2014 Ultra Trail Mt Blanc, American Jason Schlarb! And did I mention the rain?

We started off in a large pack, and I chatted with eventual Team winners Mal and Glenn, before Jason and I went to the front as we left the road and started on the Motatapu Track. It was still dark at this stage, but as the sun attempted to make a showing through the thick rain clouds, we were also running with Paul Timothy and Tim Wright. Jason and I both had stops dealing with wet shoe laces and Tim set the pace for much of the first climb, with Paul on his tail.

The first big descent off Jack Hall Saddle was slick and caution was needed to make it down without a spill. With the extra kilometres early in the race it was hard to know what our pace was like, but despite the rough weather and slick trails we seemed to be making good time.

The 4 of use reached Highland Hut more or less all together, stopping quickly to refull water bottles. Last year I relied on the streams and creeks, but this year these were all a grey muck, fast flowing and not at all desirable. Early on in the 2^nd climb I had to again stop, this time to remove the grit and stones that had got in my shoe from the last stream crossing. And that was the last running I did with Jason…..

Less than a minute later I had my shoe back on, but Jason had put the hammer down, dropping Paul, while Tim was going through a low patch. I tried to rally, passing Paul and set about trying to pull Jason in. Even with minimal running over his winter months, Jason is a class act and this was of course all in vein.

Starting up the 3^rd climb of the day, which sidles around the impressive Knuckle Peak I was around 90secs down on Jason, with Paul and Tim still in view. Memories of making this climb a year earlier with ease were distant and I could see Jason less and less. A time check at Rose’s Hut had Jason now a good 7-8mins in front and I was able to look back and get a similar time check back to Paul, who like me was starting to fade a little.

Climbing into the cloud towards Rose’s Saddle seemed to go on and on, so it was both a relief and a surprise when I finally reached it. The descent was enjoyable as I was managing to run the downs OK, they are often a strength, but being so wet caution was needed. Reaching the Upper Arrow River it was a bit of a roll of the dice as to what route to take. Normally the river bed is the best and fastest option, but today- it was anyone’s guess.

I jumped in the river, looking for the path of least resistance. Sections were fast, while others were waist deep, freezing water- it was an adventure run alright!

At Mace Town I was only 8-9mins down on Jason, mostly because he started in the river, before climbing out to the high track.

The highlight of my day came as I was running down the Arrow, with about 10km to go in the form of Phil Wood. Phil has raced the Adventure Run a few times, including last year and is one of the nicest guys you could meet. During a race, he is one of the most excited guys you could meet- he yelled loads of encouragement my way and got me fired up to push on as hard as I could.

With 6km to go we merged in with the Mountain Bike and Marathon events. Other than some really cool guy abusing me for running in “his line” I really enjoyed mixing it up with the bikers- passing them on the up and being passed on the downs.

Then suddenly the race was over…….

Jason Schlarb winning the 2015 Motatapu Adventure Run.

With around 2-3km to go, the 4WD road finishes and the race crosses in and out of the Arrow River, which was now reportedly shoulder deep! The race was stopped short and a massive line of hundreds of mountain bikers waited to cross bridges and walk with bikes over the last few km’s on narrow trails.

After 7hrs of being wet and mostly cold I made my way past the line of bikers, along with the female Miners Trail winner, as I was keen to get some dry clothes and warm food. Everyone was really mellow about what was an extremely anti climatic finish. Looking down on the brown, fast flowing Arrow, it was not hard to see why the call had to be made.

We then linked back up to the last 400m of the course, where a thousand or so spectators, unaware the race was stopped 3km’s earlier where waiting. It was confusing to say the least, but still a great experience. I can’t recall ever running so long in a shell jacket before and the weather really added to a wild event and great day in the hills.

A little tired…. And happy to be done after a fun day. Photo: Lisa McFarlane.

Jason crossed the “finish” line in 7hr13, while I was around 7hr30. Paul faded on the last climb and Tim powered home to take 3^rd. Results are not up with the altered finish, but the extra 2.5km of road at the start pretty much makes up the 2.5km we lost at the end. My time for this was 7hr04- see the #suuntorun movie.

Massive thank you to all the volunteers who were out in the rain on Saturday!

This is far from a  ”Race Preview”, but rather a quick look at a few names that jumped out on the start lists. So remember- don’t fold under the pressure if you see your name and don’t get hurt feelings if it is not listed

Adventure Run runners nearing Jack Hall Saddle during last years event.

Marathon- Without Vic Beck or Sarah Douglas running this year one might think the women’s race is wide open- enter Mel Aitken. Clearly in good form, Mel is a favorite for the marathon win, with Johannah Jackson another name to watch.

Vajin Armstrong will be looking for his 2nd win at Motatapu after running 2hr51 for first in 2011 (and 2hr57 for 2nd in 2012). Mr ActiveQT Adrian Bailey’s name is on the list  and it will be good to see him lining up, but we are not sure what sort of form he is in. After marking out the Shotover Moonlight course he will be strong if nothing else. Eliot Drake, formally from Reno, but now Queenstown based will mix it up and be in the top 3 to arrive in Arrowtown. Former New Zealand age group title and record holder Dominic Channon is now based in Wanaka and lining up- if he has been training Vajin might not have it all his own way.

Adventure Run- For the first time the Adventure Run can be completed as an individual event and despite a smaller field this should offer some good racing, at least for the minor placings. American Jason Schlarb, who finished 4th at last year’s Ultra Trail Mt Blanc, is the clear favorite. Bas Smith (along with Jess Simpson) has the course record of 6hr40 in the teams race and will be strong. As will Andy Millar who is looking to build on a solid summer that has included the Ultra Easy and Bedrock50. If Paul Timothy can build on the form that saw him run sub 5hr50 at the Kepler in December he should be in the mix also.

In the teams race, the Dynamic Duo from Alexandra, Malcolm Mcleod and Ned Kelly will take the win with ease, even with Mal’s dodgy knees.

Miners Trail- Few names jump out here. No course record holder Alun Williams this year. Andrew Town is returning again and will be in the mix, as long as he can stay on course…

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

I could be wrong, I often am, but at the front of the race I see 7 guys that will be battling it out (it would have been 8 had Mick Donges not pulled out) and of that 7 I think there are 3 that will most likely make up the podium, with the other 4, as well as a dark horse or 2, ready to pick up any carnage that might (will!) occur.

Vajin Armstrong- the 2x returning Kepler Champ and 2012 American River 50mile winner is back, has the experiences and Kepler knowledge and is focused on a sub 5hr time. Chatting with Vajin over the last few months it sounds as if all is on track for a sub 5hr time and he is the man to beat!

Marty Lukes- we could do a whole post on just Marty and just his Kepler results alone! The fastest guy in the field with a 4hr49 (few have ever gone faster), as well as a 6hr49 100km- he has the strength and speed. After 3 wins in ’07, ’08 and ’09, ’10 and ’11 Keplers were the slowest Marty has run, but he seems to have turned a corner and is back in good form.

Martin Cox- yes, the Martin Cox that lead non other than Phil Costely at Luxmore Hut in 2005 when Phil ran 4hr37, is back for another crack at Kepler glory. Martin’s list of running achievements in his native Britain and in the European Alps are impressive to say the least and in all of his 5 previous trips to NZ he has made an impression on the mountain running scene here, most recently winning the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon this past Febuary. Martin still holds the King of the Mountain record to Luxmore Hut he set in 2005.

Tony Fattorini- former 3rd place finisher and has a 5hr06 to his name. Tony recently set a PB’s for the half and full marathon and seems to be in good form after a few slower Kepler’s the last 2 years.

Andrew Tuckey- another Australian but probably a lot more of an unknown than Tony. Andrew has a very solid running background,  notabley he finished in 3rd place at May’s TNF100 in Australia, behind Ryan Sands and Vajin Armstrong in a sub 10hr time.

Jason Schlarb- is a US ultra runner who is in NZ for the summer cycle touring with his wife and child, but don’t expect Jason to be on holiday come Dec 1st. Jason has a string of impressive results and 1st place finishes in the US, but really is an unknown in NZ- not for long!

Nick Hirschfeld- has had some very solid results in the last few years at short distance races, including a age group win at the world Xterra Champs and a stella sub 2hr50min Routeburn Classic. A recent move from Auckland to Hanmer will mean he has been spend time in the mountains and will be very interesting how his first step up to ultra distance plays out.

Dark Horse- Gary Melhuish- I said it back in April at “Loop the Lake” (and he hadn’t even been training back then), and I will say it again- he will make a lot of people look silly.

young Sumner Running Club member Hugh Abbiss is another possible dark horse- anyone that is out training hard with Marty Lukes is worth mentioning.

2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge Pre-Race Article

The following is a press release from the Kepler Challenge committee. Remember to check out our pre race interviews and articles from past winners. We have also organised a easy group run, Thursday 29th Nov, meeting at 4pm at the Control Gates and then a drink and DVD at the Moose Bar at 6pm.

HISTORY OF THE EVENT- Of tough men, long skirts and bronze shoes
The Kepler Challenge has been a fixture on the New Zealand racing calendar for 25 years. The inaugural race (planned to be a one-off) was organised to honour a Fiordland outdoor legend.
In 1988, the Te Anau community was looking for a way to commemorate the centenary of the re-discovery of Milford Track by Quinton MacKinnon (re-discovery as it is thought that a similar route had previously been used by Maori to gather greenstone from Milford Sound). At a public meeting it was decided that funds be raised and a statue be erected to honour Quintin MacKinnon.
MacKinnon’s discovery made it possible for people to walk relatively easily and safely through the lofty Fiordland mountains to Milford Sound via the famous Milford Track, later proclaimed to be the “finest walk in the world”. Only a few years after his discovery, MacKinnon started guiding people on the Milford Track. A surprising number of men and women completed this trip in those pre-Gore-Tex times of ties, hats and long skirts. Access to Milford by road only became possible in 1953 when the Homer Tunnel was completed.
MacKinnon’s venture was the beginning of the tourism activity in this area, today worth millions of dollars, and as somebody’s put it; “until the rediscovery of MacKinnon Pass, Te Anau slumbered on the edge of the unknown…” MacKinnon himself unfortunately went missing, presumably drowned, on Lake Te Anau in 1892.
Amongst many other fundraising events the (then) Fiordland Athletic Club decided to organise a race on Milford Track, which proved too much of a logistics nightmare. Instead they turned their attention to the Kepler Track, which was being built to relieve the pressure on the two Great Walks in the area; the Milford and the Routeburn Track. The Kepler Challenge name was chosen to express the fact that this was to be a race/challenge for all, not just the professionals and semi-professionals.
The race was run on 17 December 1988 with 149 runners competing. By then the Kepler Track was completed apart from 3km above the Luxmore Hut, which meant part of the course was run through virgin tussock. It was meant to be a one-off fundraiser but the response to it was such that the committee decided to continue to hold it and it has been run every year since then – it is now firmly established as the premier mountain running event in New Zealand. A shorter, gut-busting “sister” race was established later: the Luxmore Grunt is a 27km run up to Luxmore Hut and down again.
The first male and female runner to reach the Luxmore hut, earn a special prize, the title of the “King and Queen of the Mountain”. The veteran runners say that in the men’s field the King of the Mountain never goes on to win the Kepler Challenge…
The race trophy, a bronze running shoe, is a cast of the type of shoe used by Russell Prince, the winner of the first race.
In previous years the field, 450 in the Kepler Challenge, 150 in the Luxmore Grunt, has filled within a week of the entries opening in mid-winter. In 2006 the registrations went online for the first time and now the field fills in just minutes, demonstrating the popularity of the Kepler Challenge in New Zealand and abroad. The first race was also a successful fundraiser and today visitors are greeted by a lakefront statue of Quinton MacKinnon, gazing upon his beloved Lake Te Anau. Following in this vein, several people who complete the Challenge in recent years have done so as a means to fundraise for worthy causes.

Current Race Records
Kepler Challenge (60km)
4:37:41 – Phil Costley (2005)
5:23:34 – Zelah Morrall (2003)

Luxmore Grunt (27km)
1:52:30 Phil Costley (2008)
2:04:18 – Shireen Crumpton (1998)
RACE COURSE INFO
Kepler Challenge
This event has been held annually since 1988, and as in previous years the route follows the 60km Kepler Track, one of the Great Walks in Fiordland National Park. The ASICS Kepler Challenge is the premier mountain run in New Zealand.

An easy 6km warm-up along the lake shore from the Control Gates on Lake Te Anau is followed by a steady 8.2km climb through native beech forest to the bushline and on to Luxmore Hut at 1085m. From the hut the course undulates across the tussock tops, ascending to 1400m and offering spectacular views of the South fiord of the lake and the Fiordland mountains. This is followed by a knee crunching descent to Iris Burn Hut via a series of steps and steep track sections, and then a journey down the Iris Burn Valley to Moturau Hut on Lake Manapouri. From there it is a 6km run to the last checkpoint at Rainbow Reach, and then the home straight undulates gently along the Waiau River from Rainbow Reach back to the Control Gates.
Luxmore Grunt
The Luxmore Grunt; the 27km sister race follows the first section of the Kepler Challenge from the Control Gates to Luxmore Hut and returns down the same route.
For more information about the track profile and map please refer to our website: http://www.keplerchallenge.co.nz
25TH KEPLER CHALLENGE COMMEMORATIVE BOOK

Our very own race commentator, Noel Walker, has written a book to celebrate the 25th running of the Kepler Challenge. This very entertaining book, “Calling Them Home”, launched in Te Anau on 14 November, 7pm at the Te Anau Club, Pop Andrew Drive.
All competing runners this year will receive a complimentary copy in their race pack.

Names to watch for this year 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge

Vajin Armstrong of Christchurch was winner of the 2010 and 2011 ASICS Kepler Challenge and two times runner-up of the Tarawera Ultra. He also won the American River 50 in California this year. He will be back to defend his title.

Martin Lukes was second two years in a row and wants to go faster this year. This will be Martin’s 11th Challenge.

Tony Fattorini of New South Wales is back for his 5th Challenge. He has been 3rd three times in a row and fourth last year in a time of 5.23 and hopes to be fit enough to regain the top three.

Canterbury’s Grant Guise was 4th in 2010 and 5th last year in 5.29.41and estimates his time for this year’s event as 5.10.

Martin Cox from Leicester, England, is throwing his hat into the ring. He is a serious threat for the title. Martin has been a professional athlete since 1998 and was 2nd in the 2005 Kepler Challenge. He has won numerous mountain marathons in the European Alps.

Nick Hirschfeld from Hanmer in North Canterbury has been placed 3rd and 2nd in the last three Routeburn Classic mountain races. He is predicting a time of 5.15 for his 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge.

Russell Hurring from Dunedin wants to help celebrate 25 years of Kepler Challenges by competing in his 11th challenge. Russell held the race record for 16 years. This year he is aiming for a time of 6 hours.

Jason Schlarb from the USA is competing in his first Kepler Challenge. He is an experienced ultra-trail runner.

Andrew Town from Sydney, Australia was a previous Luxmore Grunt winner and record-holder. This year he’s looking to take on the Challenge.

Malcolm and Sally Law from the 7 in 7 Challenge, return again to take a more leisurely run over the Kepler Track.

The competition for the 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge Women’s title is promising to be intense this year, with two champions returning to take up the challenge to be first across the line.

Shireen Crumpton, who still holds the record for fastest woman home in the Luxmore Grunt which she set in 1998, returns to take on the challenge again. In 2010 Shireen took out the women’s title, but last year she had to pull out in the later stages of the race. Shireen has competed in the World Mountain Running Championship six times, 3 times NZ Marathon and 4 times Half-marathon Champion, and she was winner of the women’s title in the Auckland Marathon 2010.

After winning the women’s race in the ASICS Kepler Challenge last year, Victoria Beck is back to defend her title. Victoria won the open women’s section of the Mototapu off-road marathon this year.

Vanessa Harverd, 2009 winner and second in 2010 and 2011, is returning to try and claim the title again. Her estimated time is 6.10.

Elina Ussher, originally from Finland, is a professional adventure/multi-sport athlete. She has won the women’s race in the Coast to Coast twice and is keen to try out the 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge.

Jess Simson won the Luxmore Grunt last year and is looking forward to the longer distance of the 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge.

Sarah Biss from Rotorua ran a 2.39 marathon earlier this year in Rotterdam and is enjoying running more off road races now. The 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge is on her bucket list and she is predicting a time of 6.00.02.

Luxmore Grunt

Nobby Clark is competing in his 23rd event; 3 Kepler Challenges and 20 Luxmore Grunts. His training involves a couple of runs a year and soccer coaching.

Stuart Doyle from Canberra, Australia is coming back to defend his title after winning this event in 2011.

Melissa Clarke from Canberra, Australia is a member of the Australian World Mountain running team and has been inspired to take on this event after hearing all about from her Aussie running mates, who keep coming back to Te Anau for this event every year.

Sarah Coghlan loves trail running in the Queenstown area and is looking forward to her race up to Mt Luxmore.