Auckland marathon - 30 October 2011

Medals! The first time ever out of all the events we've done in NZ so far.

T'was a rainy day in Palmy when we left around two in the afternoon, heading for Auckland. Gerry and I decided to make a wee bit of a outing of it and packed the tent for a halfway sleep-over.

The Te Kuiti campsite on the pavement
opposite houses.

We took the road over Wanganui and onto the SH4 to drive a section that we haven't driven before. New territory - hilly and curvy roads between farms, a beautiful area in the heart of King Country. About 20km from the Waitomo Caves, we stopped to overnight at Te Kuiti. Should the caves entry fee be affordable and time allows, we would make a trip in the morning, to see amongst others, the glow worm cave. However, neither turned out in our favour. So, off we were to Auckland, to Willie and Alida who kindly hosted us for the weekend.

The front of the field, with the start banner way
up ahead.

We arrived in a hot and humid Auckland in the early Saturday afternoon, when Willie, Alida and her dad took us back into town to register and fetch our race packs. Afterwards they took us on a scenic tour of the city, showing us all the new buildings and shops that were built for the Rugby World Cup. Roads were closed off to become walkways and the recent win still tints everything rose-coloured (or is it black?).

To the back of the field. We were somewhere
in the middle.

Before returning home, Willie drove the marathon route, which gave me a bit of a fright, to again realise how far 42.2km is! Alida and her dad prepared a lovely chicken-pasta dish before we went to sleep at around eleven.


Race day
It was an early start having to catch the bus at 5:05. We got up around four, had some yoghurt, banana and tea, and were off to the "Park and Ride" at Constellation Drive in Northshore where Willie left his car. We caught the bus that took us to Devonport, Kind Edward Parade (at Windsor Park), to the start of the race. Across the harbour, Auckland city is visible in a distance, with the bridge that connects Northshore to the city centre.


It was still dark outside as busload after busload of runners were dropped off in the street at the start of the race. Some also arrived by ferry from the Auckland waterfront. We were fairly early and although the weather was near perfect, the cool breeze was a bit on the chilly side for me. Luckily we had the option of wearing warm clothing until shortly before the start - these we left in our participant bag, (labeled with your name and race number), which we placed into specially marked containers, to be transported to the finish by the organisers.


The fact that we were about to run 42.2km still hadn't sunk in and as the sun started to light up the sky, we made one last pee stop before lining up with 3 262 other runners about to embark on this mind-over-matter, crazy, lovely, challenging, gruelling, tough, long, beautiful adventure. 

A sea of green (the official race T's) with olive trees lining the streets of Devonport.

The half marathon run attracted some 7415 participants while the remainder of the 15 500 field were made up of walkers (42.2 and 21.1km events), quarter marathon and 5km runners.

Sun coming up in the background.
Willie (in green and blue) and me.

At 6:10 the horn sounded and we were off, trotting along in the early hours of the morning in Devonport's lovely olive tree lined streets. The first half of the race is on the hilly side of undulating (although the organisers describe it as "rolling") and it wasn't long before we hit the first little hill. A lonely trumpet player was entertaining us runners as we passed him. Apart from the footfall of hundreds of people and some birds greeting the new day, it was fairly quiet in the suburb. 


As we meandered Northshore through Devonport, Takapuna and Birkenhead suburbs in the first couple of kays, I still couldn't get my mind around the fact that after a first half marathon, a second one awaits! In SA we were used to (spoiled by?) running a 32km event before a marathon as build-up. But this time, we only did a couple of 21km races, forgetting all about how going longer and further, felt. 

Willie, Gerry and myself in front of a (clearly very committed) Tonga RWC supporter's house.

Drummers at the start of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

At the 10km mark, Alida and her dad treated us with Coke and snacks. Always very exciting to meet friends while on the road, while "suffering" through kilometre after kilometre. Thanks Alida and uncle Esra! 


A few more twists and turns before we reached the Auckland Harbour Bridge at around 14kms. The bridge could possibly be considered as the biggest hill on the course. It is about 1km long with an elevation of 33 metres. A drumming session by a bunch of musicians next to the road gave us extra inspiration for the hill that lay ahead. Having prepared for the worst, the "hill" was over before I knew it, leaving me to think that some of the other hills were worse.

Gerry and Willie on top of the bridge.

Me and Gerry, on our way down.

The western/right-hand-most lane of the bridge was closed off for the runners. Being a big city marathon, the organisation involved around managing road-closures must be cause for many headaches. But to our delight, all the roads were closed for traffic and nowhere did we have to negotiate vehicles. Absolute bliss!


Once over the bridge it is just a couple of kays before we reached the finish for the half marathon. By now, I could feel both my ITBs and generally some niggles in my knees. Maybe because of the humidity? As we passed the finish line for the half marathoners, I wished for the short while that it was rather me. We could hear the jollification going on as the 21.1km runners entered the finishing shoot at Victoria Park.


We took a left turn into Viaduct Harbour Avenue to start the second half of our run. From there we followed the waterfront all the way to St Heliers Bay to turn around at the 31.5km mark to run all the way back. Being a out and back course for the second half, makes it very social. By now I could feel the sun nibbling my ear, but the cool breeze was enough to keep us cooled down. Although we were now well and truly in unfamiliar terrain (having last run that far in May this year), I was still doing okey. I was very sore, but could still shuffle on, taking only a few short walk breaks, mainly at the water stations.


The course layout is such that you can see all the front runners. On the 21.1km, they come screaming past from behind if you're not too fast, and on the full marathon they come from the front as you start with the out and back section.

A loop at the bottom of the bridge, passing underneath towards the city.

Gerry running along the waterfront road
on the second half of the race.

Twelve water tables with at least water and Powerade are en route. Most of them also had Coke which really is a rare feature in NZ races (at least the ones we've done thus far). This is really a great event that is excellently organised - one that might just become an annual fixture on our running calendar.


We finished in 4:45, still feeling okey. And for the very first time in all our NZ runs so far, we received medals. :) We fetched our race bags with extra clothing and caught the bus back to Constellation Drive to get Willie's car. After a lovely lunch at Willie and Alida's, they took us for an outing to Piha - a tiny beach on the west coast of Auckland - where we enjoyed a celebratory bubbly. All in all a wonderful weekend. 

A Star Wars storm trooper.

Water cups everywhere with some runners still coming from the front on their way to the turnaround point.

A runner dressed up in full leather biking gear - helmet and all. Must have been hot.

Auckland Sky Tower, close to the finish, visible in the distance. Still going strong.

Yeah! Only 2.2km to go, and we're on 4:31. Still running without a watch, so we had now idea what our time
was until this 40km mark.

The end. A wonderful run in lovely weather.

Gerry, me and Willie (on the other side of the Sky Tower).

In the bus on our way back to Willie's car. Gerry chuffed with his medal!

Gerry, me, Willie, Alida's dad Esra, and Alida at Piha beach, enjoying a bubbly.

Course map.

Koputaroa 21.1km, Levin - 16 October 2011

At the start. About 30 participants in the half marathon run. Almost clear skies after a very rainy morning.

Yet again, it was pouring with rain throughout the night. If we hadn't pre-entered, a bomb would not have got me out of bed. I was so not looking forward to a drenched run.

Koputaroa School in the country not far from Levin.

As we drove to Levin, the rain started clearing (again, aren't we lucky devils!), but my mood was for some reason "under the weather". I just couldn't imagine myself having to run 21 kms … We fetched our entries in the Koputaroa School hall and made our way to the start, which is just outside the hall in the road in front of the school. The race only started at 9:30 and as we lined up with about 30 other participants, the organiser briefed us about the route. 

The course is a double lapper mainly on country roads. Two short sections are run on SH1 and SH57 respectively. It is a very scenic and beautiful run among farms which at first glance can be rated as undulating. But once I started on the second lap I decided that it is hilly. It could just be my bad mood, thought, that made it feel tougher that what it was? :-)

Wonderful quiet country roads. The perfect setting for any long run.

All in all a great outing. Unfortunately it turned out a very "lonely" run for the two of us as we only saw some other runners in the first kilometre of two. Thereafter it was just us. We knew that one or two runners were still behind us, but far enough that we couldn't see them. Same goes for the ones in front of us.

A friend always uses the expression that he feels "tired as old toast". Well, I had the same problem. We finished in 2:15:38, faster that what I expected. A very nice event which I didn't appreciate at the time. Not sure how on earth I'm going to run a marathon in two weeks time ...

A tunnel of lush vegetation. 

Harry op die tremspoor!

A very friendly lady helper at the water spot, with dark clouds looming.

The section on SH57.

"Guess I should pretend to run up this little hill".

Taranaki Daily News 21.1km - 2 October 2011

One supporter going the whole nine yards, in Wanganui. When we first passed, a whole lot op people were
outside partying. They also had a van painted to match the house. 

Another quaint sign in a paddock created with fencing poles.

The Rugby World Cup is in full swing, and it is great to see all the supporters' flags and messages on houses, in paddocks and on cars. Everywhere you look there's support for people's favorite teams which in NZ is, of course, the All Blacks.

All the way, as we drove to New Plymouth on Saturday, evidence of the country's commitment to the RWC is visible as the world cup fever casts its spell on everybody. There's no escaping the mania that plays off all around us - tonnes and tonnes of little flags representing all the different countries are hanging from every shop and restaurant, while loads of cars are driving around with All Black flags stuck in their doors. The occasional Irish, England or South African flag can also be spotted, but the black flags are hard to miss. An article was even published, giving stats about the amount of extra petrol your car will be using with the drag of each flag sticking out from your window.

At the start - Spider Man and all.

Having attended the Taranaki Daily News half marathon as spectators in 2010, we committed there and then that we will be running the half this year. If I'm not mistaken, we were still joking about the fact that we should do this event, since everybody received medals - a rare commodity in the NZ running scene. We haven't had the honors yet. And guess what? No medals this year!

New Plymouth is known to get it's share of rainfall. No surprise then when it rained on and off during the night prior to the event. We woke up at around half past six to have breakfast, get ready and head off to the TSB Stadium/Pukekura Raceway where the run starts and finishes. A light drizzle is all it takes for me to grab my rain jacket. Not the nicest thing to run in, since it quickly becomes soaking wet and steaming hot from the inside. To it's defense, it does help against cold winds no matter how wet you are, inside or out.

Runners in the distance making their
way up a hill.

We lined up with Henriette, Marianne and Des who all decided to do this wonderful event that is in their backyards, shortly before eight. It is something of an institution with Marianne who has been living in New Plymouth for the past 17 years. 

The showers in the first couple of kilometres made sure that we had a nice wet start. Fortunately it was downhill towards the city centre and after a short section in town, we reached the first uphill. The course is rated as hilly making it a tough outing - not one to attempt a PB! As is customary with the NP events, lots of supporters are en route again with kids cheering-on their moms etc. As the last suburbs fade away, we head into the country towards the mountain - Mt Taranaki which is known to be on the shy side … always hiding in a cloud. 

The farm roads are fairly quiet, making for a very pleasant run. The first half is hilly, whereafter an undulating section follows. Just as you think you are done with hills for the day, a short little surprise uphill appears at about the 20km mark. From there on it is flat to the finish. 

Most of the rain cleared up after about 2kms and the following hour and 45 minutes were sort of dry. Shortly before we finished (in 2:09) it started raining again. Being wet and very cold, we took shelter on the pavilion as we watched runners and walkers finish, waiting for our mates to arrive at the finish line. Deon was our lift to and from the event - thanks Deon! Henriette's excellent carbo-loading meal the previous night did wonders. 2:08:56 is (aside from the Hatuma half) my fastest time in quite a while.

We were also treated by Deon and Henriette to lovely post-run home cooked hamburgers and bubbly! It worked wonders for sore, hungry bodies that are sick of jelly-babies and water.

We went back for the prize-giving where Gerry got a lucky draw prize of 5 months subscription to the Runner's World magazine! A wonderful prize - I always enjoy reading the stories and articles for inspiration and motivation, which I may add, repeats over and over each year just dressed up in different clothes. :) But, repetition is good for your training, isn't it?

The sign that Gerry is nearing is a permanent sign that the school kids created, warning motorist that
they are approaching a school and should drive carefully.

A little girl supporting her mom all the way as dad drove the car further up the road every few kilometres.

Another hill to negotiate.

These chirpy bees livened up the atmosphere for all who were in the area. We recently attended the
Rollar Derby held in Palmy and the Taranaki team are known as the The Taranaki Rollar Corps Rumble Bees.
We were wondering if these two are part of the team?

A wet finish - just to keep one honest.

Frozen to the bone with the finish in the background.

Gerry, myself and Marianne, with Des and Henriette in the front seats.

Hatuma 21.1km - 18 September 2011

Registration at the Waipukurau Racecourse. Gerry all smiles with
him number and clearly unfazed about the distance ahead.

Having relocated to NZ a bit more than a year ago, I am still trying to grasp the kiwi accent. For instance, one of the things that I've noticed is that the kiwi's don't seem to pronounce the letter "t" when it is in the middle of a word. Okey, I realise that it is a gross generalisation, but some examples include: butter becomes "bada", better becomes "beda", photo is phodo, water is "whoddah", tomato is tomado and so on. 

So, to my amusement I found it very interesting when overhearing one young lad talking to his mate at around the 8km mark of the run, saying something about the next "wa'rr" stop, letting it almost sound like a "war" stop. :) It is a slight deviation to the more general "whoddah" pronunciation. Could the wa'rr pronunciation (the guttural sound) be more related to the South Island accent?

The quest to figure out the kiwi accent therefore continues, north and south.

Shortly before "take-off" in the small town of Waipukurau. 

The short out-and-back section at the start of the race.

We woke on Sunday to an overcast morning, not too cold. Not sure what the weather would bring, I grabbed my raincoat on the way out. NetService predicted some showers. The 120km drive to Waipukurau through the Central Hawke's Bay was quite pleasant with perfect weather and fairly quiet roads - apart from the odd campervan with supporter flags of various countries who are here for the Rugby World Cup.

Waipukurau Racecourse is the venue for the race, with ample parking and all sorts of facilities. After registration we still had some time to kill while we waited for the race to start at 10:00. This late start time was one of the deciding factors (and off course the fact that it is very reasonably priced!) - we could, without being rushed, get ready and drive all the way without it all having to happen before dusk and in the dark to be in time for an early start.

Lake Hatuma in the background. Look carefully - this is the last time you spot the lake.

Shortly before 10:00 we lined up for race briefing, had a quick chat with Marian, also from our neck of the woods and then we were off. 

The college kids who are all part of teams of four (where each team member only run approximately 5km) would start with a fart and before their section of the road is finished you might catch up and pass them. But then as the new member starts his/her leg, they are still fresh, again charging for the first couple of kilometres, passing you just so that you might catch them again before the next change-over, and the process would repeat itself until the finish. Off course, I was too slow to catch that many of the college teams and wasn't tempted or capable to pick up my pace as the fresh kid started on his/her section.

The first couple of hundred metres are run out and back on the Racecourse road as you left the grounds. This is to make up the distance as the rest of the course is a circumference of Lake Hatuma in a very wide clockwise circle. So wide, in fact, that you can hardly see the lake! Twenty-one kilometres is quite far, you know!

Gerry with the typical rolling green Kiwi hills dotted with cows or sheep.

The snow covered Ruahine ranges in the distant background that makes for a chilly breeze.

I secretly thought I would give the run a go at a speedier pace than what I have been capable off, of late, making it almost a time-trial over the 21.1km. Just to test myself and see what I can do six weeks before the Auckland marathon.

Starting too fast, I knew this would catch up with me later, which it did - I was quite knackered in the last couple of kilometres. I just have to mention that despite my attempt to keep up with the bulk of the field, I was within the first kilometre already amongst the back markers - about 5th from last. 

After running a couple of kilometres we could spot Lake Hatuma in a distance and that was also the last sighting of the lake. We trotted along passing some kids who couldn't keep up their early pace. The weather was holding up and as the sun peeked through it started to warm up nicely. At times it was really hot, but the light breeze turned out to be quite chilly. Could it be the result of the snow covered Ruahine ranges in a distance? The surroundings are picturesque and I have to say that NZ truly is a beautiful country. 

The quirky signs indicating the kilometre marks. A very nice touch to keep you amused. :)

Friendly supporters at the water tables making sure everybody stays hydrated.
The water point at halfway even featured some porta-loos.

Four water stations were en route and they were also the change-over spots for the relay teams, making them quite sociable and jolly. 

Not so much hanging in as hanging on!

Between the 10km and 15km mark the fast and flat course turns a bit undulating, but thereafter it was a fairly flat and easy run to the finish. The last couple of kilometres are run through the town of Waipukurau in the main road, before your turn into Racecourse Road again to the finish.

A very nice run in a beautiful area. I managed a 2:07:50, which is close to a 6min pace - something I haven't been able to achieve in a very long time. It helps to train, just a little :).

Barely hanging in, running through town around the 18km mark.

Prize-giving with close to 100 spotprizes - basically enough for half of the field!
Gerry had his share in the form of a Makita cap from Carters.