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.

At Tarawera I had decided to run my own race, ignore everyone else. Pretty much jog for 60km then hopefully begin to push a bit harder over the final 40km. Didn’t quite work. It was more a case of 60km jog, 30km slower jog and then 10km pushing hard. However at The Hillary my plan was to try and keep in touch with the leaders while aiming for under 9 hours. In my head the guys pushing at the front would be offshore kiwi Scott Hawker fresh from a win at the Ultra Easy 100km six weeks earlier, Andrius  Ramonas fresh from a bunch of NZ trail victories in the last few months and who also passed me at the 85km mark at Tarawera and the not so fresh but tough as nuts Ironman Sam Clark who had the misfortune of having to ride an extra 77km at Ironman Taupo 7 days earlier to get his finishers medal.

The alarm on my phone went off just before 3am. Sleepily I lied back down waiting for my alarm on my watch to go off. Shortly after I got up anyway and went to cancel them before they went off. It was already 3:10am. They should have already gone off.  Opps!  Set on pm not am. That would have been a disaster.

A quick bite, a nice hot shower at the Muriwai motor camp and then a 3 minute walk to the race finish where the bus would pick us up and take us to the start. What could be easier? It also meant I didn’t have to navigate my way through Auckland at night.

With Cyclone Pam bearing down on the country I was a bit surprized to find the gear requirements had been relaxed a little. No jacket, no hat and no gloves.  I quite like it when there is more stuff to carry for some reason. It must be the adventure racer in me. However, a quick repack and I was ready to go. A few nice words from Sarah Hillary, (daughter of Sir Edmund Hillary) and we were sent on our way to enjoy 80km of trail heaven that race director Shaun Collins has worked so hard to establish a race on for us. How lucky are we. Thanks Shaun.

Sam Clark was the early leader until he made a crucial mistake 3 minutes in by missing the first shoe scrubbing bay. There were 17 shoe baths and scrubbing  bays along the way to restrict the spread of Kauri Dieback. As Sam doubled back I took the lead as we headed into the official Hillary trail following the start loop. The 6 am start meant we were in darkness for the first hour beneath the thick canopy of the Waitakare ranges regional park. After about 40 min I settled in behind Andrius and Scott but slowly began to drop off because my light wasn’t as bright. (that’s what I keep telling myself anyway). While running by myself, my race nearly came to an abrupt end as I jumped across a small muddy creek bed. Watching where my feet were going, I didn’t notice a rather large branch sticking out. The branch skimmed off my collar bone and hit my trapezius from the front, just missing my neck. One step backwards while grabbing the guilty branch for balance, I said “ouch” and few other things before continuing on my way. The lights of Andrius and Scott slowly disappeared from view just as the daylight began to make things a little clearer. Coming out onto Huia dam after an hours running, I was 200m behind while a small group behind were about the same distance back. Drinking and eating as much as I could was my main focus for the day. Coming into the Huia aid station my supplies were pretty much empty as planned. I quick top up and I was underway again but with only a small gap to the leaders.

Just out of the  Huia aid station the biggest climb of the day takes us up over 400m. Tagging on behind Scott and Andrius the uphill was comfortable given the early stage of the race. Across the tops we chatted back and forth about races coming up and ….. nah, that’s pretty much it. Just races.  Along the open peaks before the Whatipu aid station I notice Scott admiring the scenery. Relaxing for a bit I did the same, realising it’s a long day and I might as well enjoy it before the time and distance sets in and moving takes all of my focus. Two minutes later, Andrius was off the front and Scott was trailing 20m behind in second. I’d been dropped or my legs didn’t really want to respond. Perhaps both. In hindsight I probably should have stayed in my happy place just cruising along in third instead of tagging on for the uphill.  Drinking and eating.

I refuelled at the aid station with the leaders out of sight. Was that it for me for the day? Was I about to start going backwards? I kept on piling the food and drink in. By now I was craving water. The descent on the Muir track couldn’t come soon enough. Unfortunately, with it came Sam Clark. We chatted for a bit. I told him when I’d last seen the guys up front and they were both pretty talented guys. Sam said something about “even guys with long fuses can blow”. Before I could come up with a witty or rude reply he was out of ear shot.

Crossing the Pararaha stream I took a big drink and filled a bottle. “That’s high quality H20” I thought before chasing Sam up the Buck Taylor track. At the Karekare aid station I was told that the leader was 15 min in front then the other two were only 5 min in front. Something had happened. After  a slightly slower refuel, noticing the aid station table for the first time rather than just my drop bag I headed for the hills banana in hand. I settled into a pretty good rhythm even though it felt slow. I was beginning to find it hard to eat all my drop bag food and drink my fairly high concentrated drink but as I wasn’t really having a great day I figured I should still load up my pack with all my drop bag food because if I didn’t eat it today I could eat it tomorrow climbing Mount Ruapehu with Mal Law in quest to raise $400,000 for mental health in the high50 challenge. I was hoping there would be a lot of walking.

Sam Clark running along the Piha Beach (we didn’t have a photo of Chris!)

Piha Aid Station came and went. With another banana in hand as I hit the beach and headed for the Piha Surf club tower.  As I ran along the beach I was thinking “Where do I turn in? Where are all the markers? Someone should be out here directing us.”  It was about then that I realised I was running on the foot prints in the sand of about 100 runners who had just started the 34km event 10 minutes earlier. As my eyes traced the tracks along the beach I spotted a marshal off in the distance. “That way then” I thought. Off the beach and beginning to climb I met the tail enders of the 34km. That gave me a bit of focus. I knew the more I picked off the faster the next ones would be.  Andrius had come through with a sizeable lead and well clear of the 34km competitors. Sam had come through in second still in front of the 34kers while Scott came through shortly after. Not knowing this at the time but my chasing position through the 34kers after they had spread out possibly helped me focus more so than getting passed by them would have.

By now the sun was scorching hot. I was dipping my hat in every creek I crossed and drank from a few of the better ones. Running through the stream out of Lake Wainamu at the Bethells Beach sand dunes made me want to stop and go for a swim, but I was so close to the end now with only one real hill to go. While stocking up on food and drink at the Bethells aid station I notice a few big bottles of sunscreen. I left a minute later with a really bad paint job.  Two full bottles and pockets packed with surplus food I was beginning to feel quite good. Forgetting the 64km I had just run. I only had 16 to go. That’s not far. I focused on runner after runner. Nearing the top of the last “real hill” of the day I saw a group of about 6 trampers ahead of me. As I approached I noticed one of them was the familiar figure of Scott, not looking very spritely.  I asked a fairly stupid question like “Scott, how’s it going?” when I obviously knew the answer. I then asked him if he had any food because I had heaps. He explained that food wasn’t the issue.  He was having hamstring problems. He then told me that Sam was only 12 minutes in front. From having an average day, to feeling good, to feeling like bridging a 12 minute gap in the last 90min happened in about 60 seconds. I took off after Sam. With about 2km to go on the Te Henga walkway  I spotted him across a small gully. At about the same time he spotted me. I stuffed some food down followed by a drink thinking that I wanted to be fuelled up in case I have a race on my hands. As I approached I realised Sam was in a bit of difficulty cramping up pretty badly and just generally not enjoying himself. I gave him an electrolyte tablet but he was out of water. I was pretty low at that stage too so wasn’t much help. I explained that the next aid station was less than 3km away but I don’t think that helped either. Any other day I’m sure Sam would have run away from me. I’m also sure that he’ll come back stronger, wiser and more determined next year.

The Hillary 80km top 3- Scott, Andrius and Chris.

I hit the Constable road aid station in about  8hours 20, giving me about  4 minutes to bridge the 5km gap to Andrius out in front. Breaking last years record by over 14 minutes and oblivious to the carnage that was going on behind him, Andrius crossed the line in 8:23:59. I crossed in 8:55:31 for second while the positions continued to change behind me. Scott came through for third and Sam came home in fourth.

The finish line. What a place. A big aid station, ice creams, hot food, ice baths, tents and chairs. Amazing. It’s the small things at big races that make the races a success and The Hillary had it all. Big thanks again to Shaun, his crew and the huge number of volunteers out on the course for making our day the easiest a technical hilly 80km race can be.

FULL RESULTS

Start of the Hong Kong 100km

This weekend past I had the good fortune to be racing the Vibram HK100, the first race in the new Ultra Trail World Tour. I had applied to go to this race back in early December but it wasn’t until the first week in January that I received the good news that I would be going. At this point, with only two weeks to go until the race, there was no time for any specific preparation instead it was off to Hong Kong on a wing and a prayer.

Having been to to Hong Kong before I knew what to expect, a big bustling vibrant metropolis which was also home to some of the most accessible and interesting trails one could hope to find. Over the last few years Hong Kong has developed a reputation as a real hotbed of trail running in the Asian region, with new races popping up and selling out on an almost monthly basis. Being such a central location and a major airline hub makes it a really easy place to get to from where ever you are, especially for all our Asian friends.

Being the first race in the new Ultra Trail World Tour meant there was plenty of media interest in the event. With the field being so international, with runners coming from more than 40 different countries, this also added to the sense of occasion. On the Thursday pre race, there was a great press lunch at the local indian club with some really good food. I was lucky to be invited onto the Athletes Panel to answer some questions for the media. It was also a great chance to meet some of the other athletes and get into the mood of the race.

The race started at the leisurely time of 8am which gave the locals plenty of time to catch a taxi to the start. The race over the last four years has grown from 200 in it’s first year up to the 1600 runners taking part in this years edition. Being in Hong Kong, many of the runners were not used to the 12 degrees temperature at the start, most were wrapped up in a hat, gloves, jackets and huddling trying to keep warm. The race start was quite amusing as at the last minute quite a few locals came forward to get their photo taken with the elites and then stayed put until the race started when they sprinted into the lead.

From the start there was 700-800m of road to settle into a good position before getting onto the single track. I started on the trail in 2nd place behind a Nepalese runner who immediately stopped to walk and offered me the lead, I happily obliged. The first section of the race was very run-able which led to a huge lead pack coming into the first support point together. The pace was fast but I felt relaxed and comfortable hoping it was going to be my day out on the trails.

Lead pack around 10km into the HK100km.

Over the next couple of sections I was still in the lead pack and slowly but surely one runner after another dropped behind. I was feeling pretty good until my lack of stair specific training began to catch up with me after 3.5 hours. For those of you that don’t know, Hong Kong trails are notorious for their huge amount of stairs which certainly take their toll on the unprepared runner. Coming down some stairs on the way to checkpoint four I began to get my first of many cramps on the medial portion of my quads. This meant that I had to slow down and let the lead pack go as I tried to nurse myself through this situation, and dropped back to as far as 7th place.

I just kept trying to stay relaxed and positive which helped as by halfway I had moved back up to 5th place. This was the first time that I had raced 100 without any course specific training and also the first time that I had ran into serious problems this early into a race. Coming into the 2nd half I was unsure at how my legs would hold up as the 2nd half is much more difficult than the first. Heading out onto the back half of the course I was running pretty well on anything flattish or up hill, it was just the stair descents that I was having to take it easy on.

The 2nd half was really entertaining, you had the two top Nepalese falling back and then coming storming through to the front, while at the same time you had some of the earlier fast starters beginning to drop back through the field as the course began to take it’s toll. I went from 5th back to 6th before passing Ram and Dave Mackey on the way into Checkpoint 8. I now found myself in 4th place with the hardest 17km of the course still ahead. This last section of the course is an epic way to finish off the day, with three big back to back climbs. The first, the notorious Needle Hill, is the staircase to end all staircases, steep unrelenting good times. This is followed up by the very run-able road climb over Grassy Hill, which serves as a nice warmup for the final treat the big climb up Tai Mo Shan(957m). The road up to the top of Tai Mo Shan is a real sight to behold it is perhaps the steepest single road section I have had the pleasure to encounter.

I managed to get through all of this without seeing another runner and once I hit the top of Tai Mo Shan I thought I was pretty much home and hosed, with only the final 4km road descent to the finish. Cruising down here at around 4.20km’s I wasn’t perhaps paying as much attention to what was going on behind me as I should have. Unbeknownst to me while I had been enjoying the dusk and the views out over the city and out to sea, a battle royal had been ranging between Scott Hawker and Ram Bhandari with Scott passing Ram and catching me with a little over 1km to go. This, despite giving me quite a shock, was a good thing in the end as it woke me up and pushed me to smash out the last km in 2.55, which in turn allowed me to hold unto 4th.

Vajin and fellow kiwi Scott Hawker at the finish chatting with HK100km race director Steve Brammar

This race was a great experience in many ways, meeting and sharing the trails with hundreds of others from round Asia and around the world was definitely a highlight. It’s great to see such a big, modern city still having such a strong connection with the nature and trails it is surrounded by. As our lives become ever more online, it is this connection with nature that I think helps keep us centered and balanced. The UTWT model showed itself to be working with a big strong and extremely diverse elite field, spending time with all of these athletes was inspiring, entertaining and informative. Hong Kong it’s self is such a unique and wonderful place to visit, an amazing fusion of the best of both the East and the West, also knows how to put on a challenging and rewarding trail race.

I would like to thank UTWT for flying me over, Janet and Steve for the great job they do with the race and for still finding time to be wonderful people outside of that. Jez Bragg for being a true icon and gentleman of the sport, Vlad for being himself and a name to watch for the future. Everyone else who was there, racing, watching, handing out drinks or following online.

And of course my wife Prasasta and my sponsors, Ultimate Direction (the Scott Jurek Ultra Vest is a great pack), MACPAC (Chch’s finest), Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (inspirational) and the wonderful Lotus-Heart in Christchurch (all things nutritional).

Pre HK100 interview with Vajin, Scott and Shannon HERE.

This weekend the Ultra Trail World Tour kicks off with the Hong Kong 100km. Among those lining up are 3 top kiwi ultra runners-  Shannon-Leigh Litt, Scott Hawker and Vajin Armstong.

BCR caught up with all 3 pre HK100.

BCR- The HK100 is now part of the newly formed Ultra Trail World Tour- was that a deciding factory for choosing to race HK100- or was it a race you already had on the calendar?

SLL- This was definitely a factory and the reason I entered the HK100

SH- It was a race we already had planned as part of a 7 week holiday. Stoked to hear it was part of UTWT though

VA- I was extremely lucky in that UTWT actually invited me to this race. I was looking for a race in early January and there aren’t too many, plus the fact that I am already doing two other UTWT races (Tarawera and Western States) made HK100 a perfect fit. I enjoy racing a series of Ultra races and feel that for me I preform my best with a few ultra’s under my belt. Nothing calluses you against the demands of an ultra better than racing one.

BCR- The UTWT has brought out some top talent- do you know much about the competition and the HK100 course?

SLL- I understand the competetion is tough and have looked at the winning women last year and their times are definitely very good. I think this year there is Lizzy Hawker and Kami Semak competing and Claire Price who won last year. There is also Francesa Canepe from Italy will be a likely winner. I know the course is tough in terms of the elevation and a lot of stairs so I have definitely trained for this aspect.

SH- There’s a stack of international talent. I’ve been told to keep an eye on the Nepali guys too. I have checked out a bit of the course and all I can say is stairs!

VA- I have heard great things about this race from other athletes that had done the event before. It looks like it has an incredible balance between nature and solitude all the while being so close to such a huge concentration of people. The field looks to have a great international feel to it with top runners from Nepal, Hong Kong, China, US, Britain and of course the mighty Flying Kiwi Contingent.

BCR- How has the build up been- have you incorporated many steps and road running into your training?

SLL- The build up has been solid, have done solid amount of hill work and technical downhill.

SH- The build up has been great. I have just signed up with a coach recently who has had me doing plenty of stairs and hilly stuff. There is a heck of a lot of concrete on this course which is going to catch up with people later on in the race. Due to travel I have done a fair bit of road running in Singapore, KL & Beijing recently.

VA- For me it has just been a matter of keeping things ticking over since Kepler in December. I only found out in early January that I had been invited, so not much time for specific workouts, but I feel that I am at a good level of fitness and should be ready to race come Saturday.

BCR- What are your expectations for the race?

SLL- I am hoping for the best and going to give it everything I have.

SH- Only my 2nd international race other than a disappointing DNF at Tarawera in 2013 after catching some kind of bug on the flight over. Despite that, like all the other guys and girls, we’re all going for the win aren’t we?

VA- My expectations are simply to perform to my best and to enjoy it. The more I can stay in the moment and come from a place of love the better I tend to perform, so that will be my goal on Saturday.

BCR- You have all also entered in Tarawera (another UTWT event) –what else do you have n for the year and what is the main focuses?

SLL- Tararewa is a focus definitely and so is this race is to see where I am at. Will look at the Lavaredo Trail in Italy 27 June, as a possible 3rd race in the series.

SH- Yeah I have some making up to do at Tarawera for sure I plan on doing the TNF100 (UTWT) in May and then I’m not sure. See how the body feels after 3 100km races in 6 months. I’d have to say Tarawera is my ‘A’ race for the 1st half of 2014. Also going to be running with my wife for her 1st ever 100km in the 2nd half of the year which I’m psyched about too.

VA- Big races for me this year will be Tarawera, Transvulcania and Western States. All of these are going to be epic races with super deep fields, so I am really looking to up my game and see what is possible. As T S Eliot said “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

Shannon- has won the ANZ 100km road champs, Naseby 100km and Ned Kelly 100km in 2013. Supported by Foundation Clinic Physio, Thir and Coached by Craig Kirkwood.

Scott- Recently placed 1st in the Truth or Consequences 50km, Kep 100km and 6 Inch Trail Marathon. Sponsored by Hoka One One Australia, RaceReady, Ryders Eyewear. “Also thanks to Eric LaHaie from Hoka One One Hong Kong for looking after us while we’re over here.”

Vajin- 3X Kepler winner, 2nd at 2013 Swiss Alpine Marathon. “Big Thanks to all my sponsors especially MACPAC, Ultimate Direction, Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and The Lotus Heart.”

From HK100 website- Live tracking will be available during the event.  To track any participant’s progress on PCs, iPads and large tablet, use this link.  For smartphones, use this link.