backcountryrunner.co.nz

Hey folks, this “wordpress” version of BCR will be no more….

please check out www.backcountryrunner.co.nz for all the lastest action from the New Zealand mountain, trail and ultra running scene!

cheers

Grant

2012 Routeburn Classic Report

Below is the official press release from yesterdays Routeburn Classic-

Sensational weather conditions and a hugely strong field saw records topple in yesterday’s (April 28 2012)  9^th annual Routeburn Classic, an exclusive adventure run staged on New Zealand’s world famous Routeburn Track.

Whitney Dagg- Pre Routeburn Interview

They say it is harder returning as the defending champ- but as the Breakers just proved, it can be done.  This Saturday at the Routeburn Classic Whitney Dagg will be looking to defend the title she claimed this time a year ago and get rare back to back titles. We have been lucky enough to chat to Whitney about all kinds of stuff, OK, really its just about running-
Backcountry Runner - You are the returning Routeburn Classic Champ- how does that feel a week out and how has your build up been?

Whitney Dagg (WD) – Being the returning champ does make me feel a bit more nervous than I usually would for a race, however I am determined not to let it worry me too much and just focus on running to my full potential on the day. I’m also really excited to race the Routeburn track again as it is such an awesome track over some challenging terrain. Last year was my 1st time on the track, but this year I know exactly what to expect and when to push myself.

Nick Hirschfeld- Pre Routeburn Interview

Natural progression- that is what Nick Hirschfeld will be looking to make come Saturday at the 2012 Routeburn Classic . Nick finished  3rd in 2009 (3hr02) and then last year Nick had a huge time improvement, running 2hr52, good enough for 2nd (the fastest 2nd place finisher ever and would have won every other Routeburn Classic, bar the time Richard Ussher set his, at the time, course record). Nick was nice enough to make some time for us this week and give us a little insight into his chances of nabbing the win this year.

Backcountry Runner- Nick, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. This will be your 3rd Routeburn Classic. No doubt the goal will be to go one better  than last year! How has your build up to the Routeburn been? How has training been going for you?

Bush to Beach Trail Run Race Report

Kristian Day raced in the inaugural Bush to Beach race this past weekend and was nice enough to whip us up this sweet race report- cheers KDay!

Rugged hills with steep climbs and killer descents, native bush, beaches with coastal tracks, stunning veiws and untouched wilderness. These are words that trail runners love to hear, coincidentally they are also the perfect words to use when describing the Coromandle Peninsula and the 22km Bush to Beach trail run is about as Coro as you can get.

(Coming at you this week) 2012 Routeburn Classic Preview

Coming at you this week- The Routeburn Classic. Notice the full stop just back there, just after “Routeburn Classic” ? Now, there is likely other races/events taking place this weekend- I have looked high and low, but have seen nothing else out there (I know, I missed a few gems last week- sorry!). Even if there was, we would still be silly with excitement about the Routeburn and that was before we even looked at the start list.

2012 Wild Turkey Race Report

While I was engrossed in the Loop the Lake on Saturday morining, the southern Waitakere’s and Shaun Collins were hosting the 10th and final Wild Turkey. I managed to catch up with both Shaun and one of the Wild Turkeys biggest supporters, fresh (ish) off his 35-40 age group ANZ Mtn Running title just a week earlier- Chris Morrissey.

Xterra Red Rocks Race Report

Photo- Xterra Wellington FB page

Xterra’s Wellington trail running series kicked off at Owhiro Bay on sunday morning. The three course options take in a range of the steep 4wd and mountain bike tracks characteristic of the area. The long and mid courses start with a steady climb up the Tip Track (3.72km/432m ascent) before dropping down via the Red Rocks track. The 12 km mid course continues to the coast line and back to the finish line at Owhiro Bay. The long course turns off about half way down Red Rocks track and sends runners back up Hawkins hill for another 430m climb, this time over 3 km.

2012 Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake

Start of the Loop the Lake

It sounded like stunning weather across the whole country for trail running this weekend- whether you were climbing 8000m vert on North Head, running the last ever Wild Turkey or the first ever Bush to Beach. It even sounded like a great day at the Wellington Xterra, and Saturday morning in the Nelson Lakes National Park was no exception for the 17th Loop the Lake trail race put on by Nelson Events.

Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake- Quick Preview

“better late than never” That’s what we are thinking, this is also going to be pretty short- sorry.

The Loop the Lake is a great little event, taking place in the stunning setting that is Nelson Lakes National Park. Runners will start and finish at Kerr Bay on the shore on Lake Rotoiti. This is pretty much right next to the DOC camp ground- yeah- the start finish is right next to a camp spot, which in my books is a major plus!