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…

I must confess to usually being a long run geek so the Miners Trail was not my first choice race at Motatapu. But a lazy summer nursing dodgy joints thankfully supplied the necessary push when family were gathering for the Motatapu Events.

The Miners Trail has all the essential delights of a mountain runners course yet it is straightforward enough for first timers. It starts with a short meander down the Arrow River trail to warm the blood then it’s into a meaty climb up Tobins Track with plenty of room to pass those fading after reckless early fervour.

A short, flatter burst along Glencoe Road is followed by some tight single track along water races and connecting trails. Here the path undulates sharply as it gradually climbs through a beautiful tussocky valley. Getting past others is challenging here, and individual rhythms vary surprisingly, which can frustrating for many in the crowded mid field I am told.

Onward and upwards to thinner air and steeper grades. Or do they just seem steeper? After the drink station the trail follows very steep four wheel drive tracks onto the ridge and the highest point of the course. With my heart racing towards its red line it was quite a relief to turn right for the sidle along to the descent. Time for the tussock hopping specialists to shine.

Russell in the final river crossing.

As I sidled along keeping an ear to let faster tussock hoppers past I was becoming anxious about how close the opposite ridge was getting relative to our elevation. As I continued sidling and the opposite ridge got closer still, it was very obvious that one horrendous descent was coming. Sure enough!

Those many water crossings after the trail joins the marathon course for the last two kilometres must be very helpful for a great many in removing descent caused stains on shorts, outside and inside.Up front the leaders had disappeared quickly on Tobins Track and I missed the best of the action but finishing margins show it was really competitive out there. I was pleased with my run but had hoped to see my old M50 rival Andrew Town along the way, on the climb is the usual pattern of our match ups. Not this time. Andrew ran sensationally for 5th overall, 6 minute 30 (literally miles) ahead of me. Run of the day I reckon despite a fine record breaking effort from womens race winner Louisa Andrew whose company I enjoyed for parts of the way. Brilliant day overall,  great weather, beautiful course and real hard running. It won’t take dodgy joints to help me choose the Miners Trail another time.

The big news this week in NZ trail/mountain/ultra running- the big course change at the Tarawera Ultra Marathon due to fire risk would have to be it. I think it is a real shame, and no disrespect meant to Sam Wreford and Nicola Gildersleeve, but it was very possible both 100km course record would have tumbled this year with the stacked women’s and men’s fields. The upside is the best part of the Tarawera course will be run twice and there will be more single track and more vertical! If you are racing Tarawera this year- you’re very lucky, don’t get hung up on not running the “real” course, as this one I think will be a real treat. Click HERE for full details of course changes.

In other Ultra news- Marty Lukes sounds like he has, finally, committed to the Northburn100. While much hype and excitement has been made of the Tarwera field (and rightly so), the Northburn100 mile is also set to be a great race. Lukes, the 2011 100mile winner, only adds to it.

Salomon Running International - members of the Salomon Running international team are arriving a week before Tarawera and will be hosting 2 events- Dunedin March 9th and Queenstown March 12th- Q&A, drinks and nibbles and a movie. This is a great chance to rub shoulders with some super stars of the trail/mountain/ultra running world.

2013 New Zealand Mountain Running Camp- Glenn Hughes, former NZ mountain running champion and 4 time NZ representative at the World Champs (and all round nice guy) is putting together an excellent weekend over Easter at National Park. Also attending will be NZ’s greatest (and most under appreciated?) sports person, Jono Wyatt. Details HERE. Not to be missed, especially if you are running the NZ mountain running champs 2 weeks later.

New Zealand’s most extreme running race- got your attention ? Details to come, but what I will say now is if you are keen, you will need an ice axe, crampons and a head for heights…….

Races this weekend-

Motatapu Off Road Marathon and Miner’s Trail 15km- a very popular off road marathon to say the least. I have not heard (or admittedly looked into) who is racing the marathon, but have heard that Vajin Armstrong and Gary Melluish are racing the Miners Trail- hear’s hoping that those racing the Miners do not have a repeat of last year’s poor course makings….

Triple Peaks Challenge, 47km in Havelock North. Jeremy Forbes, the current course record holder of 3hr56 is on the start list, as is Kristian Day who is running well and will be looking to back up his solid run at Shotover Moonlight.

Tararua Mountain Race- don’t expect to see Andy Simond’s stunning 4h27 course record to fall this weekend, but with the run of dry, warm weather lately look to Dan Clendon to go faster than his 2011 winning time of 4hr55. Dan is the clear favourite here, being a  2x winner at Tararua and having good course knowledge, but expect challenges from other former winners Jamie Stewart and Phil Wood. Great to see a few more on the 930am start time this year, after only 2 starting at that time in 2011 and with over 75 individuals and with a further 16 teams, the Tararua Mountain Race (and the likes of the Kaweka) are showing not everyone wants their challenges to be easy.

BCR news- after being at the Shotover Moonlight doing live updates last month we will be at the Salomon event in Dunedin this weekend; in Rotorua from next Wednesday in the lead up to Tarawera- don’t expect too many BCR updates here- we will leave that up to the big boys- Bryon from irunfar.com and Marcus from ultra168.com, but we will be floating around, popping up here and there; and then at Northburn- we will have the BCR shop set up Friday and then bring you live updates of the 100mile, 100km and 50km races during the weekend.

Latest BCR Trail Shop Newsletter- some great deals this month on all shoes, UD handhelds and HydraPak vests. Make sure you check it out!