As Gareth and I headed up the south coast into a lively northerly breeze with about 100 other punters the same two thoughts were going through my mind as last year (1) this landscape is stupidly beautiful and (2) how many scratches and bruises will I incur on the way to the finish line?
Sand and sea views give way to boulders, gravel fans and uprooted trees as we head up the Mukamuka valley. It’s easier to navigate the second time round although this doesn’t prevent me from nearly sending myself and a couple of other runners up the wrong way. A loud yell from behind saves the day. This year there being no strong southerly breeze the marshals are not crouched in the bush and it’s not necessary to cling to vegetation in order to negotiate South Saddle. There is no clag to mask the great views back to the coast and up to Mt Matthews.
A bit of scrambling over gravel mounds and across the main river sees a group of us hit the Big Bend track in convoy. Knowing this 3km section is undulating rather than flat and that it is possible to take a wrong turn if you don’t have your wits about you and there is quite a bit of mud proves useful. In no time we were at the bridge that crosses the Turere stream from whence after a short brutal uphill section, the track really is flat for the remaining few kilometres to the finish line.
As we did last year, WTMC put in a great effort with Alastair Shelton 4th Open Man home in an impressive time of 3.10. Harriette Carr was the first Vet Woman home. No major falls this year, in fact remarkably few injuries. In my case a large bruise and matching scratch on one leg where I encountered some resistance from a tree branch in the Mukamuka Valley.
There are many things to like about the Mukamuka Munter. I like that it is run as a not-for-profit local event with lots of support from the local community. Big ups to Better Than TV (Shane and Jill Ross), for running events like this on a shoestring – the race cost just $25 to enter. Big thanks to all the race marshals and other volunteers particularly the Athletics Masterton Club who provided all the hot drinks and to Kate Jenkins, Andrew Shackleton and John Taylor who baked delicious fruit cakes for us to eat.
While it is stressful for the race organisers I like the fact that because the race crosses the Orongorongo river which is prone to flooding the race can only really be run in good weather (this year the race had to be postponed). Finally, I can think of no other local trail run that encompasses such a great variety of scenery and route conditions. While there is no doubt that the race can break you there is no more beautiful place for fitness testing. I’m really looking forward to next year!
For details, more photos and next year’s race, check out: http://www.betterthantv.co.nz/. Sarah and I are training for the Kepler and a few other things which means we will be heading out on longish trail runs most weekends we are in town over the coming months. We will also be doing mid-week runs now that daylight saving has arrived. If you’re interested in joining us flick me an email at .