Marjolein Cook charging up the first climb. Photo Sharon Wray

What a fun course for the 2013 Athletic New Zealand Mountain Running champs. The sweet technical downhill to finish with, pretty much made you forget the sour climb up the ‘hill(s) of hell’. It was great catching up with Sally & Helen (who I like to see as my ‘team mates’ even though it was due to circumstances I represented the Netherlands at the worlds last year, while NZ would have been my preferred option) and having those 2 legends line up at the start guaranteed some healthy competition. I was worried that my long distance / Motutapu training would have left me behind on this short, intense course, but to my surprise I found myself passing Helen (who’s been running really strongly and is always rather intimidating to line up next to with her fit appearance!) on the uphill about one third up Spoonhill. I managed to keep the lead, except for the ‘flat’ bits on the fire-breaks where Sally came zooming past me with her quick efficient stride. I somehow scrambled my way up the hill of hell just a little bit faster than her and extended the lead coming down Spoonhill which I just absolutely loved. I’ve mountain biked down there multiple times, but have to say running down there is just as fun! It was a bit of an anti-climax not being eligible to win the NZ title, due to an IMO unsuitable rule for a national event. How does me representing the Netherlands at the worlds last year affect competing at the nationals of a country I’ve been living in for over 5 years now (and would like to call home)? All in all, it was a very fun day out and I honestly can’t grasp why the numbers are so slim for such a cool national event?! Fingers crossed I can get my citizenship (application under exceptional circumstances) in time for the worlds in Poland this year – I would love to represent NZ this year, and now I am a married woman I don’t have to worry about losing my Dutch passport (what’s with all these rules?!). Let’s hope I can officially call Helen & Sally my team mates for the 2013 worlds…

Full Results HERE

(BIG)Photo Galleys by Sharon Wray of 9km race HERE, 12km race HERE and Prize Giving HERE

(Stephen admits that this is a  ANZ club runners focused preview- as these are the runners he knows and has a good idea on current form. The Open men’s race also has the biggest field, but looking at the woman’s names Stephan has listed below, expect a great battle there also! Full start list HERE)

The New Zealand Mountain Champs in Wainuiomata are up-down this year (It alternates each year from up-down to up-up-up!). This years race traverses over the firebreaks between Wainui and Lower Hutt. I don’t know many of the mountain runners in the rest of the country, but here’s my Wellington-centric view of the senior men’s race:

• Dougal Thorburn, just moved back from Dunedin – second at Wainui in 2009 and second recently at the national half marathon champs. A couple of weeks ago he won the Capital Punishment hill race up Mt Kaukau and beat Coubrough’s record from the previous year.

• Glenn Hughes, won the Wainui race in 2009 and a perennial favourite. Probably hasn’t been doing much running recently but organised a mountain running training camp in Easter with Jono Wyatt so bound to come away fit from that.

• Dougan Butler, surprised many with his win at Colonial Knob in 2011 then backed it up with a second place last year. Sounds like he comfortably won the Goat Kaimai a couple of weeks ago.

• Former junior champion Ryan McAlister is stepping up to run seniors this year – he was a very impressive 14th at World Juniors last year in Italy.

• Stefan Smith, coming off a track season, and a couple of week’s out from his debut marathon. Although he’s not a regular mountain runner, probably has some of the best pure speed of all the entrants – 14.39 for 5000.

• Graham Pearce, Englishman who recently immigrated to Wellington. A traditional-style fearless fell-runner who was second to Dougal at Capital Punishment and to James Richardson at Mt Lowry.

• Tane Cambridge representative for NZ at orienteering more times than I could shake a stick at as well as a regular among the leading runners in the Canterbury scene.

• Chris McIlroy is also moving up from junior to senior this year and has some speed to be in the mix.

• Dan Clendon, ran well on the Wainuiomata course in 2009 winning selection to the New Zealand team that then performed really well at Commonwealth Champs later that year. Won the Tararua Mtn race last month and just missed his own record winning the Mt Lowry extreme race a couple of weeks ago.

(Just looking through this list it seems to help your mountain running if you have a Scottish name.)

New Zealand Mountain Running Team in Italy last year- Left to Right: Glenn Hughes, Sally Gibbs, Dougan Butler, Ryan Mcalister, Helen Rountree – Photo: Jonathan Wyatt

Expect Glenn and Dougan to attack the ups, with Dougal, Dan and Graham attacking the downs. Dougal is a front-runner though who will push the pace early – which he did to his detriment at Wainui in 2009. The 12 km race will likely be decided between 6 and 8 km as the guys climb sharply up to the top of Te Whiti then down a steep firebreak (it drops nearly 200 metres elevation in the space of 840 metres) and then straight back up again.

The women’s 9km race avoids most of this firebreak so will likely involve different strategy. In the women’s race I don’t know the runners so well -

Sarah Biss and Sally Gibbs should be the class runners in the field, but former junior champion Nicole Mitchell is entered and it will be great to see Marjolein Cook and Helen Roundtree have another go after their strong debuts last year. Emily Solsberg, who represented Canada a few years ago, is also running.

Those names are predominantly all from the club-running community rather than trail-running community. It would be great to see a few trail runners giving the event a crack too in future years – mountain running seems to be the point where the two communities intersect.

 Details-

CAMP DATES
Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April (Easter)

VENUE
Discovery Lodge, National Park. The lodge is located on SH 47 between National Park village (7km away) and SH48 turn off to Whakapapa Village (1km away) (see map below). Details about Discovery Lodge can be found here www.discovery.net.nz 

CAMP OBJECTIVES The camp is open to all abilities and anyone keen on experiencing mountain running or wanting to further develop their mountain running skills. Being the first of its kind, the camp will be largely informal and everyone will be able to have input into the camp activities. A range of group activities will include: pack runs, discussions, videos, and briefing sessions (see Preliminary Camp Plan below).

Glenn and Jono traning in Italy last year

The camp will be lead by Glenn Hughes, former NZ mountain running champion and 4 time NZ representative at the World Champs. Also attending will be Jonathan Wyatt – 6 time World Mountain Running Champion, and Barry Ellis – NZ mountain running team manager and Athletics NZ mountain running selector. The owner of Discovery Lodge is Callum Harland, a former NZ mountain running champion and multiple NZ representative.

The camp dates are 2 weeks out from the NZ mountain running champs in Wellington on 13 April.
Details about this race can be found HERE

You don’t need to be racing in the NZ champs to attend the camp. It is designed to cater for those wanting to get in some specific training for this race, but to also further develop their mountain running skills for other races. Sure there will be a range of abilities on the camp, but training runs will aim to start together and meet up at the end.

Below are details on how you can attend.

TRANSPORT
You will need to make your own way to National Park. Aim to get their just after midday Friday and
depart early afternoon Monday. Planned pack runs will be a short drive from the accommodation and
this can be arranged before departing each day. Discovery Lodge offer a bus service to the start and
end of the Tongariro Crossing, which is a run we want to fit in.

ACCOMMODATION
You will need to make your own bookings with Discovery Lodge. Visit www.discovery.net.nz and
mention that you are attending the running camp (there is a place for comments when booking on the
web site). Alternatively you can ring 0800 122 122.

A range of accommodation is available including camping. The recommended accommodation is
the Cabins for $60 per night that sleep 2-3 and includes breakfast (own bedding is required, shared
facilities). Alternatively, hotel rooms and chalets are available if you require something more
substantial.

It is recommended that you book no later than 2-3 weeks prior (i.e. before 17 March) as
accommodation may fill up closer to Easter.

FOOD
Breakfast is included in the cabin accommodation.

Lunch and dinner will be by own arrangements, although we might try and organise some group
meals. A kitchen is available for preparing lunch and dinner. Discovery Lodge also offer evening
meals in their onsite restaurant. Enquire with Discovery Lodge for more details.

Nearest shops to Discovery Lodge are at National Park village approximately 7 km away, and a
supermarket in Turangi approximately 30 min drive.

WHAT TO BRING
• Bedding if staying in a cabin.
• Food for the weekend.
• Gear to cater for all weather conditions (jacket, gloves, hat, thermals). Its not quite winter, but
the running tracks are located in an alpine environment and weather conditions can be harsh.
A small running backpack is a good way to carry gear. Bring foot ware you feel comfortable
running in. If you usually run in road shoes like I do, they will be fine.
PRELIMINARY CAMP PLAN
A preliminary programme for the camp is outlined below which is highly flexible:

Friday 29 March:
Arrive early afternoon, check in to accommodation
3pm: Group get together in restaurant area. Depart for run from Whakapapa Village
(approximately 60-70min on well graded trails).
6pm: Dinner, own arrangements or in restaurant
8pm: Get together in lodge lounge. Introductions and outline of camp. Followed by running
videos including raw footage of world mountain running champs.

Saturday 30 March:
7-8am: Breakfast in lodge

9am: Run planned. Options include a faster uphill run for those in serious training or steady
off road run.
12pm: Lunch, own arrangements.
2-3pm: Afternoon jog opportunity and technique based running session in field.
6pm: Dinner, own arrangements or in restaurant
Evening: Get together and running discussion in Lodge lounge. Recovery before big Sunday
run.

Sunday 31 March:
Long run; likely Tongariro Crossing if weather permits. Alternatively this could be run on
Saturday if the weather looks better.
Afternoon: Hot pools or river swim then dinner in Turangi or Tokaanu.

Monday 1 April:
7-8am: Breakfast
9am: Easy flat trail run (i.e. Old Coach Road: historic rail line from Horopito to Ohakune).
12pm: Lunch, own arrangements
From 12pm: Departure

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Begin making your transport arrangements and accommodation bookings. Once signed up, flick me
an email to say you’re on board.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information contact Glenn on glenn.hughes@gmail.com or 021378273

Coming at you this week-
Well I think I am still reeling from Martin Lukes’s run at yesterday’s ANZ 100km champs. 7hr08 is a smoking time. Hats off to all the competitors in yesterday’s Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio of events!

Our ANZ 100km report is already up HERE

At the races- Race 2 in the Wellington Xterra Series, this time the “Woolshed Run” at Belmont. If you are in the Wellington area, make sure you make mum breakfast in bed or at least drop off some flowers before you head down on Sunday. Long, medium and short course options. The first race at RedRocks sounded great, so don’t miss this one.

T42- Sounded like a great race in the weekend with Kerry Suter taking it out in record time. We are working on getting a few post race comments on the race and hopefully will get something together on that. James Kugler did a race report he sent us, which is the same as the one on SportzHub

Kiwi Anna Frost will be lining up in the Transvulcania this weekend. The Salomon Running Athlete will have her work cut out- 84km and 8525 meters of elevation gain. We have an interview we did with Frosty all lined up- just need to click publish, which we will do later this week.

Potentially the next big race on the NZ calendar, that will be of interest to BCR readers is in fact not a NZ race at all- TNF100 in Australia on the 19th May has attracted some of NZ’s top ultra running talent. Vajin Armstrong will be looking to claw one back on Mick Donges (after the “shoe” incident at the Tarawera Outlet- which is now being compared to the infamous Underarm incident of ’81), and Kristain Day has been training hard- this could be the race where KDay fulfils the potential he showed us at the 2011 TuM. There is also a host of other kiwis making the trip over to tackle the Blue “mountains”. Look for a detailed and full blown race preview from the lads at Ultra168

Backcountry Runner will be in the very un-backcountry setting of Hagley Park in Christchurch doing live updates on the Sri Chinmoy/ Athletics New Zealand National 100km Championships.

This Sunday the Athletics New Zealand 100km championships is being hosted at Hagley Park by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and is being run in conjunction with the Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio. The Ultra Trio is made up with 50km, 50mile and 100km races, as well as a 100km relay.

We have gotten a little look at the start list and as it stands currently it is a bit thin, but chatting with race director Vajin Armstrong, they are pretty relaxed on entries and expect a few more in the next day or 2. Thin yes, but there are a few stand out names.

Martin Lukes of course would be the race favourite to add to his list of ANZ titles. Sounds like Marty has bounced back from his run at Tarawera back in March and should take an easy win.

On the woman’s side Valerie Muskett will no doubt be Marty’s equal. Val already has 2 ANZ 100km titles to her name and her list of achievements is impressive- representing New Zealand on seven different occasions, five times in the 100 km and twice at the 24 hrs World Challenge. At last years Commonwealth Ultra and Mountain Champs she set the world age group record for 12hrs.

Wayne at Commenweath Champs 2011

Other very notable entries are Wayne Botha and Bryan McCorkindale. Both of these lads represented NZ at the Commonwealth Champs last year, part of the bronze medal placing team, with Bryan picking up the age group 12hr and 100mile world records along the way. Wayne was 2nd at last years 100k champs to Marty, running 8hr40. Bryan and Wayne also raced the Tarawera 100km in March. Wayne in 10hr46s and Bryan in 11hr09. The battle between these 2 should be a good one, with them no doudt looking to jump on any mistakes Marty should make.

Val, Wayne and Bryan are all off to the World 24hr Champs later this year also.

It is also not to late to enter the ANZ 100k/Ultra Trio! If you are keen get over to the Sri Chinmoy website and enter now! If you are around, but are not going to race, still pop down, say hi and support the runners. There is also a post race dinner put on by The Lotus-Heart Restaurant for $10.

BCR will be at Hagley Park doing live updates (similar to Northburn100mile), so you will be able to tune in and follow all the action from around 0630-0645 Sunday morning. Feel free to write in and ask on specific athlete progress if you have someone you are supporting but you can’t make it to the event and we will do our best to keep you updated. We will get the link up in the next day or 2.

A few different events going on this week-

I guess the “biggest” for a few different reasons would be the Sri Chinmoy Self Transcendence Ultra Trio- 100km, 50km, 50 mile (80.5km) and 100km teams event which is on Sunday the 6th May. It also incorporates the Athletics New Zealand National 100km Championships, and from what I have heard should have a pretty solid field. Leading the charge will be Marty Lukes looking for yet another ANZ title.  BCR will be reporting live from Hagley Park in Christchurch from 7am, covering the ANZ 100km champs! Check in later this week for the link.

On Saturday in the Central North Island Total Sport is running the T42 Central Plateau Trail Run, with marathon, 24K, 11K, 6.5K distances. We hope to catch up with a few of the likely front runners this week for our CoverItLive page.

Way up in Northland, held in Waipoua Forest, the Tane Mahuta Fun Run  20K and 12K is going on- we would love to hear from anyone that is planing on running this one.

Flash new look for BCR! As you can no doubt tell (well I sure hope you can see the difference!) we have given the Backcountry Runner web site a wee make over. This really is a work in progress, so please bear with us over the next week or so. I was going to wait until the site was completely ready and I was 100% happy with it, but I am pretty excited about getting it up and live, so couldn’t wait. It also means I can hopefully get a little feed back from all of you that visit BCR. After, it does not matter how cool I think the site is if you guys don’t like it and don’t visit. Feel free to let us know what you think. A big thanks to Paul Petch for working on this project for us. Turns out the guy that took all those amazing photos from the Salomon Running Taranaki trip, Tarawera Ultra and Northburn 100 mile is also pretty handy at web design.

1330m Mt Campbell viewed from Motueka

The 2012 New Zealand Mountain Running Championships were held yesterday, Saturday the 14th April, in near perfect condition’s on Mt Campbell, over looking Motueka. The Mt Campbell race is hosted by the enthusasitc bunch from Athletics Nelson, who actually hold this race yearly, and have held the NZ Mt Champs here in 2008, ’09 and now ’12.

Athletics Nelson  Eric Verstappen said earlier in the week that he had booked the sun and he delivered. At the mid day start it was very warm as runners got under way, with the SM-59yrs starting at the Motueka highway and juniors, women and M60+ at Shaggery Rd for a shorter 7.2km, 850m vertical gain race.  The start of the 14.4km, 1330m vertical,  long course is relatively flat, winding its way up a gentle forestry road, only climbing around 400m in the first 7km.  

At the start of the race a pack of 6 quickly established itself, with a smaller chase group. Almost as quickly as these groups formed, they became strung out. The lead pack was down to 5, made up of  last years ANZ champ Dougan Butler of Hawea Athletics, the Wellington Scottish duo of Stephan Day and former NZ rep Glenn Hughes, UC’s Blair McWhirter and now local lad Phil Costley. Around 4km in this pack was no longer, with Phil taking control and the young Dougan Butler giving chase, while the race for 3rd place being battled for among the Scottish lads. Past the Shaggery Rd the course steepens dramatically and it was here that Day made a break, putting around 20-30 meters on Hughes. Glenn slowly pulled this back and the order remained this to Mt Campbell’s 1330m summit, with Phil Costley claiming his 31st SM NZ title!

While the men’s race saw a veteran of NZ mountain running claim the win, the woman’s race could not have been a bigger contrast. Yes, Italy’s Antonella Confortola took line honers in a solid 45min30, it was Hannah Newbould that claimed the ANZ title for 2012. Hannah, who is more at home on the track, turned out for her race as a senior woman and her first ever mountain running race taking out the win over older and more experienced competition. Great to see Hannah not afraid of mixing it up!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWpVMjZQ9eo&w=420&h=315] Phil Costley post race interview

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIDR8TWG_w&w=420&h=315] Hannah Newbound post race interview

Official Results HERE

New Zealand mountain running legend Jonathan Wyatt was also on the slopes of Mt Campbell supporting the event, unable to race having recently had surgery on his knee. Jono did manage to get out for a run on the course, cheering on his wife, Antonella, and other racers as they summited Mt Campbell. At prize giving Jono offered his services as team manger for the NZ team at this years World Mountain Running Championships, to be held in Italy. Jono is now based in Italy I would say those who make the trip to the worlds will be in good hands. Jono also presented the medals at prize giving which was a nice touch.