The course varies from narrow, rocky track near the start in Nellies Glen, to meadows, sandy gravel track, and dirt fire-trail road – of course with a number of hills (big and small) and rivers (big and small).

I raced for the first time in 2011 and loved the area. The event is great fun with some stunning views, some fast and some technical trails, beautiful smelling gum tree forests and interesting wildlife. I finished first female in 3.52hr and 12th overall. The female record stands at 3.37hr by Emma Murray which I dont think is going any where for a while!

Running Wild have teamed up with super-experienced adventure tourism company Adventure South to create NZ’s first ever commercial guided trail running tour – what promises to be the holiday of a lifetime for the lucky people who get in quick enough to secure a spot.

Adventure South’s motto is taken directly from a client review they received – “small groups, great guides, superb holidays” – a perfect complement to Running Wild’s mission to inspire people to “run, explore, share” our world-class trails. Their logistics expertise, fine tuned over 20 years in the business, combined with our passion for running great single-track, means we can provide an unparalleled and unique holiday for runners of any nationality.

The ‘top’ of the South Island offers beautiful and varied landscapes – including 3 national parks – that we will explore as a small group over the course of a relaxed and fun-packed week of trail running.

Each of the 6 runs that we go on offers something unique. Every day will be an awesome experience in its own right. Linked together, with no logistical hassles (we’ll take care of all those for you), the 8-day package promises to be the perfect trail running smorgasbord.

A week of pure, unadulterated trail running heaven in the company of friendly, knowledgeable guides. A brilliant way to enjoy some of the best trails New Zealand has to offer.

Explore the stunning environs of the Queen Charlotte Track, the Nydia Track, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kahurangi National Park and top it all off with a run along the world-famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track. For more information go to http://runningwildnz.com/wild-tours/tots/

FUN, FUN and more FUN!

Unfortunately this wonderful trip has been cancelled but we are still keen to make it work next time so keep an eye on Running Wild for their next adventure.

With some advise from various people to go up the Caples and come down the Greenstone, I headed off nice and early before the sun came out to roast me. I got 12minutes in to the junction of the loop…left for Greenstone and right for Caples. I couldn’t remember which way I was to go…so ‘if in doubt go left’.

Douh…wrong way…well, both were beautfiul but the Caples was definately more routed and technical so harder on tired legs. But I loved every minute of my 7.20hr mission in our beautiful New Zealand landscape.

Riding in style via helicopter to the start line I was feeling slightly apprehensive about how my legs would hold up after the weekend before breaking records in Taranaki. I had only just got rid of the DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness) and here I was lining up…again. And yes it hurt. My legs were empty…each uphill I grovelled up, each downhill I fumbled down. But I found some strength from the inspirational course that meandered from the Pipeline bridge through the Ben Lomond Valleys and over the high Moonlight ridges before splashing upstream to Moke Lake.   

I came in first female in 5.15hrs and 45minutes behind the winning male Martin Cox in 5th overall.  

Definaley put this one on the list of races to do…but don’t take this one lightly. Phew.

See what fellow Salomon team mates thought of it too:

2nd place – Grant Guise: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fskirunner.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F02%2F06%2Fshotover-moonlight-mountain-marathon%2F&h=FAQFC-vI-

and Matt Bixley: http://runlongergeek.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/shotover-moonlight-marathon/

With Paul Petch from Outdoor Photography http://www.outdoorphotography.co.nz/ here to capture the moments of emotion, friendship, fun, pain, self challenge and success we set off on a reci of the surrounding trails. A chance for us all to get a taste and feel for the colours, terrain, and wildness of the mountain.

SUMMIT DAY

The weather conditions were clear and crisp early Saturday morning and we said goodbye to Paul, off for the summit at 4am. At 6:30am Matt and I set off. Matt initially with the aim of setting the 2 and breaking the 4 summit records (with stood at 16:05hr set in 1976 by Ian McAlpine) and then depending on weather conditions carrying on for 24hrs to see how many summits he could claim. I was going for the 1 ascent and the round trip record (which stood at 2.45hr set in 1993 by Ingrid Perols).

Initially the mountain was peaceful. Standing at the base and looking at the obvious summit my heart beat in excitement. Before long it was beating in the red zone. This is where it would stay while I scrambled my way up the pumice scree, over the black iced rock, into the stormy, majestical snow crater and up to the summit at 2518m above sea level. This mountain had demanded my respect, I had felt it in my chest, had heard it calling in my ears, I summited with pride, with admiration, with a huge sense of freedom in 1:29hrs. At that point nothing in the world nothing could make me happier. I screamed in joy, I ran around in circles of bliss and then remembered I had to go back down.

So off I went flying down the scree…totally out of control, with squeals of excitement and exhilaration. Tearing past Paul and Matt with a shared love and laughter for what we were experiencing together. I reached the bottom with a smile from ear to ear in 2.16hrs.

See a full detailed report of my route and split times for the ascent/descent here: http://frostysfootsteps.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/new-taranaki-ascent-and-ascentdecent-records/

Matt came in on his first round trip just behind me for a quick refuel and set off on his second summit. And fortunately for Matt by then there were another 200+ people on open Guided Tours, giving him huge support and in absolute awe for the rest of the day.

Summit3 was mentally a tough one, with weather conditions deteriorating and the fatigue of 9hrs really setting in. A fry up before summit 4 and the decision to call it a day after the 4^th summit Matt found some hidden energy and set off up a different route for the last time.

Running in at 13:39hrs Matt had just shown some incredible discipline, mental strength and awesome physical ability.

See his detailed report at: http://runlongergeek.wordpress.com/

ROUND THE MOUNTAIN

Grant’s passion and inspiration for this personal challenge was really the driving force of our trip to Taranaki.

The Round the Mountain circuit record was 5:17hours set in 1992 by Greg Barbour (who still holds the Ascent and Ascent/Descent records). Unfortunately since then there has been landslides and therefore closed and re-routed tracks. This has added on what is believed to be an extra hour. There are many options as to where to start, which route to take and what direction to go.

Through Grant’s research we decided to set out from Stratford Plateau and head clockwise to chase Greg old course time. Grant set a blistering pace into the ugly weather and even took some time to enjoy the views and record his progress. He set an incredibly fast new record time of 6.08hours.

See his detailed report at: http://skirunner.wordpress.com/

With no previous female attempt of the Round the Mountain circuit I decided to set a bench mark. Mentally I broke at about 2 hours into the run. In the ugly weather I felt incredibly vulnerable on this wild and unknown mountain on my own. There were landslides, bluffs, technical trail and rock cliffs that I was frustratingly slowly tackling, and had made the decision to stop at Kahui Track – the refuel station 20kms in. As I arrived there in 4hours…yes 4hours…and in an incredibly bad mood…I was also faced with a banana, a peanut butter and jam sandwich and Matt and Paul, who were not going to hear my sob story and set me on my way.

From there it was a lot more runnable and I finally found some freedom in my steps.

Finally after 6.18hrs the sun rays came out to warm me up as well as the clouds clearing to give me some inspirational views of the magnificent mountain.   

Feeling really drained and exhausted I reached the finish in a new record time of 7.41hours.

See more See a full detailed report of my route and split times here: http://frostysfootsteps.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/new-round-the-mountain-circuit-record/

We had an amazing weekend full of success and fun doing something that we are all passionate about, and Thanks to the Taranaki people…what they are passionate about too.

Happy Trails.

Sunday 29^th January

9am

Start/finish point: (Yellow Star) Stratford Plateau

Route and time splits: (Orange Triangles)

With no previous female attempts I was out to set a bench mark.

Going Clockwise from Stratford Plateu -DawsonFalls– Waiaua Gorge Hut – Kahui Track junction: 20km 3.47hrs

Kahui Track junction (Blue Star): ReFuel stop

Kahui Hut – Holly Hut: 5.50hrs

Holly Hut – Stratfort Plateu: 7.41hrs

Saturday 28^th January

6:30am

Start/finish point: Touch the wall of the Camphouse – North Egmont

Route and time splits:

Previous Ascent/Decent record of 2.45hrs was set by Ingrid Perols in 1993 on the Razor Ridge track (now not in use by DOC). 

Camphouse directly up the summit track via ‘The Puffer’ to Tahurangi Lodge: 30minutes

Tahurangi Lodge up the steps to ‘The Lizard’ ridge, across the crater and up to the plaque on the summit: 1:29hrs

Turn around and come straight back down over the scree to Tahurangi Lodge: 2:00hrs

Down ‘The Puffer’ to the finish: 2:16hrs

http://www.trailrunmag.com/2012/01/20/mount-taranaki-speed-assault-anna-frost-blogs/

Follow our steps from the 26th-30th January on Trail Runner Magazine http://www.facebook.com/#!/TrailRunMag or my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=754851415

The forecast doesn’t look too promising for a dry or even ‘a’ attempt on Friday.

 Day 1: Queenstown to Bannockburn: 51km, 7.15hours 

Alice and I headed out from her Kelvin Heights home and we headed for the private farm land running along the Kawarau river until Chard Farm winery.

Alice stayed there for a wine and I carried on down the Gibson Valley, sprinted around 800m of highway around the Nevis Bluff and into the Nevis River Valley.

I ‘bee-lined- up and over the hot dry mountains until I spotted Bannockburn 1000m below, where I recovered from the 32C temperatures in Lake Dunstan with great friends and of course a lot of icecream.

Day 2: Bannockburn to Lauder: 73km, 9.40hours

An early start with a group of keen Cromwell runners meant a few hours out of the burning heat as we crossed the Cairnmuir Mountains to Clyde.

It was then time to follow history along the Otago Central Rail Trail (http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/). Stepping out on the long straights with Alice was hard and hot going, but with a refreshing stop at Chatto Creek we both regained some energy to get to our next destinations. Mine to Lauder for the night. 

Day 3: Lauder to Waipiata: 56km, 7.20

This was the hottest day of all. Even the sheep were panting as they crossed the ‘highway’.

I was hoping to get 80km done but only just managed 56km. There is absolutely no shelter on the trail and I was down to running 20mins, walking 10mins. Gummy jet planes were the only thing keeping me going.

Day 4: Waipiata to Middlemarch: 52km, 6.30hours

This was just a ‘do it’ day. Long flat sections were going to be tough, but fortunately after a night long of thunder, lightning and pouring rain the day had a refreshing chill which made for easier going.

Day 5: Middlemarch to Dunedin: 76km, 10hours

It was raining. Hard. The first 40km on the railway tracks was fast and stunning running through the gorge. I made it to Hindon Railway station in 4hours and enough time to sit back and relax for a few hours before Matt Bixley joined me to bring me home over the Silver Peaks.  

We contoured into the valley to Jubille Hut for some delicous sandwiches before stomping it out up Devils Staircase to Pulpit Rock. The mist and rain and gustily winds just added to the adventure and feel of the true mountains. As the light faded we summited Swammpy with cheers and exhilaration, now knowing where I was. We doned our lights and headed over to Flagstaff for the final grunty uphills and then dropped down the Pineapple Track for the bright Orange  lights of Dunedin to welcome us home just before midnight.

An amazing adventure. Where I have seen many a beautiful view, shared some New Zealand miles with you and have completed a mission just because it was there to complete. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/64221164/

Dont forget to do something for you…big or small…something that will make you proud, happy and worthy. It will help our world go round!

I’m back in a lush New Zealand summer.

A beautiful relaxed family Chritstmas in the sun and on the beach has come and gone. 

I am 3 toe nails down. I have consumed a diet of high sugar and fat. Partied my pig farmer gumboots right off. Then tried to get back in shape with the Hula Hoop.

A day kayaking from Kaiteriteri along the stunning coast.

And now we head off into the Abel Tasman Great Trails for some walking and singing in the rain.

HAPPY TRAILS…See you out there in 2012!!!