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The Kepler Challenge - 04 December 2010

The pre race briefing the night before made us realise this wasn’t a race for the faint hearted. St John’s, DOC, the local police, the NZ Army and race organisers stressing the importance of staying on the track, helping fellow runners in trouble and waiting for rescue by helicopter if you are injured. Backpacks were checked to ensure you had two sets of thermals, gloves, beanie, water proof jacket and space blanket plus plenty of water to see you through the next 60 kms.

Starting at the Control Gates of Lake Te Anau, the route follows an easy 6kms (how can it be easy when you start the race at 6 am and run through the forest in the dark?) before it takes a steady climb (1350m) up to the drinks station at Luxmore Hut. At Luxmore Ben decided that despite severe blisters, he was a tough Aucklander and after Tanja had applied plasters and expressed the necessary sympathies, they were off again. The next 12kms offers wonderful views of the South Fiord. The front runners may appreciate the views but for Sonia it was a case of trying to stay on the path, keeping up with Kevin and not being blown off the mountain by the helicopter which was filming the race. At the Hanging Valley drinks station, a Kea was keeping an eye on proceedings, looking down at these crazy runners invading its space. Tanja had been troubled by a sore knee all the way up the mountain but with a fresh bandage on and knowing the climb was behind her, set off for the spectacular descent to the Iris Burn Hut with renewed energy. After Iris Burn, a gradual 17km journey brings you to Moturau Hut on Lake Manapouri. From there it’s a 6km run/shuffle to the last checkpoint at Rainbow Reach. This is where our support crew met us with cold drinks, peanut butter sandwiches and plenty of encouragement for the last stretch alongside the Waiau River back to the Control Gates. Summoning up a last bit of energy, we all managed to run rather than walk across the finish line.

Would we do it again? Kevin is aiming for his 5th medal this year, Sonia wants to beat him just once so will definitely be trying again. Ben says he wants to improve on his time and Tanja? We are still working on her but she has a wedding to plan for in November so may be a bit too busy this year.

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