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.