Kaweka Challenge

Billed as the highest mountain run in New Zealand, the Kaweka Challenge was an obvious choice to be my last run in the country for a while. The race covers 41km with 3200m of incline, and scales some spectacular scenery in the Kaweka range in the middle of the North Island.
Despite being a long standing fixture, the event attracts only a small field each year. In 2009, weather conditions were such that only half the competitors finished, but this year the sun turned out in a perfect display of late summer weather.
The morning mist cleared as soon as the race started, and I soon fell to the back of the steadily thinning platoon in the first 750m slog up Kuripapango. The ridge offered the first chance to run a little along an undulating forested track before another climb to the first checkpoint at Kiwi Saddle. I arrived in 1h47, just seven minutes behind my planned time and feeling good. The next section was a rough, rocky ridge that wound up and down for an hour and a half, but gave stunning views toward Tongararo and Ngauruhoe, and even Taranaki in the far distance. I reached the second control site after 3h14 of mostly uphill climbing. The course then turned toward Kaweka J, the highest point in the range. This started with an easy descent to Studholme Saddle, then a grinding climb up to Mad Dog Hill. From here, the path leveled out and I managed a jog along the final slope to the summit. The marshals had come out in fancy dress for the occasion, so the figure standing motionless and beckoning on the summit turned out to indeed be a Grim Reaper and not some delirious apparition. I was 4h14 out, fifteen minutes behind a fading schedule, and the race was not yet half over for me. The next section was a chance (at last!) to run downhill through loose scree. I was making up time, and overtook two competitors shortly before Makahu Saddle. With the 1000m descent over, I kept up a steady pace along the clay path on the Matauria Ridge. However, the Kawekas still had plenty of challenges left. A slippery 300m descent took me down to the Donald River, and while I was able to briefly enjoy a refreshing cool dip, the 300m climb back out was brutally tough. This formed the pattern of the remaining course, with runnable sections punctuated by steep gullies. However, everyone was feeling the stress. I picked of another couple of runners, and then met up with Rod-the-Yorkshire-man, who ended up running with me for the final three hours to the finish. We clocked in simultaneously, but I took place honors by virtue of having clocking in after him at the start! Total time: 9h08m, my longest run to date and certainly one of the most enjoyable.

Posted by John Hamer on Sun 28 Feb 2010 | 2 comments

Category Mountain Marathons