new Zealand

[chloe]

This is probably a bit of an old hat destination but i got to say New Zealand as a runner is amazing! There is SOO much going on here, every man and his dog is a runner in this country and there are some truly challenging truly unique events going on here almost every weekend. Every event ive done has been a different set of challenges and different terrain, from up and down mountains, along beaches, across ocean edge rocks,through bush, around lakes, hilly farmland,forest tracks and road runs-of course,
its all been the most amazing scenery, brilliant intimate little events with tons of fun but also some serious contenders aswel.
Id have to say havent seen much of the good eats cos ive mostly been in dinky little middle of nowhere places but every single little backwater 2 pony town has had soymilk and a damn good coffee/beer on offer.
Oh tell you what i did find yesterday though,...vegan condensced milk!!!!!! woweee

[loveliberate]

Sounds great - I'd love to visit NZ! Got some photos online somewhere?

[Sid Delicious]

So are you back in NZ for a visit or living back here now Cloe? I think I met you about 10 years ago at a Reclaim the Streets on Cuba St. Mt Mathews is a good day-long run close to Wgtn. I was there a couple of weeks ago with some friends. We booked the Boar Inn Hut (sleeps 4, $40 per night). Walked in, droppedout packs at the hut then me and Tim set off up the Orongorongo river, a shallow braided river so the crossings were easy (mostly ankle or knee depth). Turned off up Mt Mathews after about 3km; then it was a very steep climb up, at times clambering on all fours as it was about a 70 degree slope in places. Got to about 750m altitude (summit is 950m, and those final 200m altitude are very steep) which gives good views of the south Wairarapa coast and Wgtn harbour. Decided to turn back rather than press on to the summit as we didn't want to be getting back to the hut after sunset. We weren't paying much attention as we travelled back down the river and walked straight past the hut which is not visible from the river. Ended up getting close to the coast before we realised out mistake. Turned around and it was dark before we could find the hut. All good fun though. We covered about 22km in distance and close to 1,000 metres in altitude. I'm keen to do it again, maybe next summer as I have tons of other walks to do in the region over the next few months.

[Mr. Cleetus]

I agree! I think NZ is offroad running heaven!

Sid, I think you better be here next time: http://www.betterthantv.co.nz/munter.html !

[loveliberate]

I'm not a runner but I'd love to explore many of the trails down there - and particularly to do some hut to hut hiking!

[Sid Delicious]

Sounds like a challenge Mr Cleetus. I haven't really thought of doing a race like that but why not. Maybe this year? I'm reasonably fit, but not sure about running that kind of distance. I don't even know what kind of shoes would be best for it. I figure my tramping boots are too heavy but do have good ankle support. Do you have any advice there? Are you entering the race?
Loveliberate - if you do make it here buy a Department of Conservation Annual Hut Pass. You can use it as often as you like to stay at DoC huts and campsites anywhere in NZ (excluding the Great Walk huts, which are the most popular). There are about 1,000+ DoC huts around NZ. A hut pass is about $100 I think; cheap accomodation.

[Mr. Cleetus]

I will possibly do it - I have done it quite a few times, so it just depends on how much my work travel schedule gets in the way. I think you would want to do it in running shoes, and you'd probably even be alright in road shoes if that's what you've got. There are some pretty gnarly stretches, both up and down, but if you are not trying to nail it, it wouldn't really matter what your shoes are. You might find you'd be almost as fast walking some of it anyway, particularly up the mukamuka valley (crawling over boulders, trees, etc). There's a whole range in abilities of people that do it, from world class to completely casual - it's a great event for sure.

[chloe]

yo, no just been on another of my bi-annual 3 month long holidays!!
Sid i would most deffinately have been at a reclaim the streets down those ways, but not in a long long time! and sad to say i didnt make it to wellington this time round,...didnt make it to lots of places sadly, 3 months goes by soo fast, but have had such a brilliant time, what a fantastic country!!!! just have this weekend left now, the sun pulled out the stops and has been gorgeous this whole week and i have one last run-a 50km through Riverhead forest north of auckland, before i fly out on tuesday! Love NZ and all it has to offer but also have to say i could never imagine living here! and its sooo expensive!! I will miss it though and i will be back for another bout of awesome running here!! the other runners i have met have been incredible, such a great little community and ive made so many new friends in the last three months!
Love Liberate, i have tons of photos but not really online, i will do some running write ups on the Vegan Runners Uk site though and stick a couple of photos on there!!

[loveliberate]

It a good place that we can enjoy ourselves.

A new technique from the spammers perhaps?

[baldy]

It a good place that we can enjoy ourselves.

A new technique from the spammers perhaps?

Yeah, wtf! Ban cannon has been deployed.