orn // Trail guides P un // Mongolia // The Down // R ed R eviews // Trail uby Muir // Lyndon Marceau // R R Big War Zone // Manaslu // Viedert’s law //

VOL02.ED10 // spring 2013 // AU/NZ DRYING IN MOTION THE NEW STANDARD IN SWEAT REMOVAL AND TEMPERATURE REGULATION FlashDry molecular drying technology acts like your second skin, pushing moisture to the surface of the fabric and eliminating it. During high-endurance activities, FlashDry works with your body to keep you dry, cool and focused. Find out more about FlashDry THENORTHFACE.COM.AU For stockists info, visit us online or call PH: 02 8306 3311

ANDREW LEE GETS ONE LAST RUN IN BEFORE THE NORTH FACE 100 IN BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. PHOTO: MARK WATSON BETTER THAN NAKED CREW AND SHORTS, AND ULTRA GUIDE SHOES. DEtails Volume 2, Edition 10, Spring 2013

Editorial Australia Editor: Chris Ord New Zealand Editor: Vicki Woolley Asia Editor: Rachel Jacqueline Minimalist/Barefoot Editor: Garry Dagg Roving Editor: Mal Law Sub-Editing: Simon Madden

Design Jordan Cole Craft-Store.net

Contributing Writers Richard Bowles, Jeremiah Smith, Duncan Reid, Garry Dagg, Derek Morrison, Steven Brydon, Shaun Brewster, Dr Joan Steidinger, Adrian Bortignon, Paul Day

Photography Lyndon Marceau, Nic Tinworth, Jessica Parker, Jason Malouin, Jeremiah Smith, Lloyd Belcher Visuals, Jordan Cole, cover photo Visit us online Derek Morrison, Blak Spittle, Mark Watson / Incite Images, Tegyn Angel, Shaun Collins Lyndon Marceau Photography / www.trailrunmag.com www.marceauphotography.com. On a shoot / Cabbage Tree Photography, George Chong, www.facebook.com/trailrunmag Richard Bull, Simon Madden for Craft in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia. www.twitter.com/trailrunmag Trail Run is published quarterly Winter / Spring / Summer / Autumn

Editorial correspondence Trail Run Magazine Foundation supporters (the Yay-sayers) 10 Evans Street, Running Wild nz www.runningwildnz.com Anglesea, Vic 3230 Email: [email protected] Trail Running Company www.trailrunningcompany.com

Telephone Mainpeak www.mainpeak.com.au +61 (0) 430376621 Salomon au www.salomon.com/au Founders Sea To Summit www.seatosummit.com Chris Ord + Stuart Gibson + Mal Law + Peter & Heidi Hibberd Brooks / Texas Peak www.brooksrunning.com.

Publisher Adventure Types Disclaimer Trail running and other activities described in this magazine can carry significant risk of injury or 203 Langridge Street death. Especially if you are unfit. Undertake any trail running or other outdoors activity only with proper instruction, Abbotsford, Vic 3067 supervision, equipment and training. The publisher and its servants and agents have taken all reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the expertise of its writers. Any reader attempting any of the activities described in this publication does so at their own risk. Neither the publisher nor any of its servants or agents will be held liable for any loss or injury or damage resulting from any attempt to perform any of the activities described in this publication, nor be responsible for any person/s becoming lost when following any of the guides or maps contained herewith. All descriptive and visual directions are a general guide only and not to be used as a sole source of information for navigation. Happy trails.

4 conTents Volume 2, Edition 10, Spring 2013 DESIGNED FOR FREEDOM 8 120 30 REGULARS Go there, faster. Everything we make is designed to enable 8.Editors Columns: greater freedom of movement in the mountains. 8. Australia - Chris Ord The result is lightweight, ergonomic gear of the most liberated 10.New Zealand - Vicki Woolley 12. Asia - Rachel Jacqueline outdoor experiences. 102. Rich’s Rant See more at www.salomon.com/au Richard Bowles gets angry For your nearest stockist, free call 1800 651 872

20 TRAIL GUIDES 122. Routeburn, Sth Island, New Zealand 124. Yarra Bend, INTERVIEWS Victoria Australia Colour of Ruby 126. Rainbow Mountain, 30. an insight into Ruby Muir Nth Island, New Zealand 128. Skyline, 40.The Moment Dunedin, Sth Island, New Zealand trail snapper Lyndon Marceau

TRAIL MIX 78 20. Event Preview Kawerau King, Nth Island, New Zealand 22. Event Preview Hong Kong MSIG50 series,China 24. Event Preview Buffalo Stampede, Victoria, Australia 26. Event Preview Big O, New Zealand 110. Trail Porn so dirty, it’ll blow your mind

16

FEATURES 50. Big Red Heart overcoming odds in the Simpson Desert REVIEWS 60. Mongolian Multiday Magic in the footsteps of Khan 72. Black Dog Days what is it with the downer after an ultra? Now’s a good time to buy… 16. 80. Beyond the Wire thought your run was tough? Try Afghanistan… all the good gear 88. Manaslu Madness getting’ singletrack high in the Himalayas 106. Shoe reviews a pearler and one we fell in love with 98. Rhythms of the Trail a German physicist unlocks the secret of trail running

6 edsword Chris Ord // Australian Editor

TheThe manman prowlsprowls aroundaround thethe desertdesert fire,fire, beatingbeating hishis chest.chest. “It’s“It’s inin here,”here,” hehe thumpsthumps fistfist toto heartheart hardhard enoughenough thatthat youyou cancan hearhear thethe thudthud fromfrom thethe backback row.row.

“You gotta have it in here (thump). with them, being to run from the North to the and ran with it. Literally. You gotta want it like nothing South Pole. The day following Pat’s fireside speech in else (thump). No excuses (thud). If But his credentials for this event run closer the Simpson desert, every runner trotting the it’s in here (thud), nothing can to the fencewire than that. Pat holds the sand took Pat’s message (and so Cliffy’s by stop you (glare).” record for being the fastest man to run across osmosis), and ran with it. the Simpson Desert, a record he captured One competitor, a 100kg-plus Tongan- The man, shorter in stature but larger in life twice. Beating his own record for number two. Australian called Mark Moala, heeded the than you could imagine, pauses for practiced That’s Pat all over. A hard man. Who better message to knock over more personal firsts The calling dramatic effect, circling his stare around the to come and chaperone nearly sixty runners than anyone would think possible in one The calling gathering. He has each and every one of us to run through the territory of which he is week: first half marathon, first marathon, first captured in his story net and he knows it. running king? back to back marathon, first triple marathon The glint in his eye is magnified by the light But it is less so the feats of endurance that in three days, first double marathon in one of the soaring cratefire flame. He has held us impress so deeply. Not once you’ve met the day, first multiday, first desert run. Not bad enthralled by tales of a running life that no man. It’s his presence as a person brimming for a bloke whose only running of any note one could make up. But rather than intimidate with raw passion and hard earned experience, prior had been a dash on a rugby field chasing with boasts of superhuman feats, he has used both of which he’s willing to share. a patch of leather. He had all the excuses in his life spent putting one foot in front of the But this is no hagiography. Rather it’s paying the world to call on if he wanted to stop: not a other a million times over – and then some – respect to one of our trail elders and the runner, not enough training, overweight, bad as the fuel to make us all feel invincible. importance of listening. Yet Pat’s story begins knees… yet he leaned on none. His injection of inspiration is timely with one older than himself. On the final day, as Mark reached the finish because tomorrow is marathon number three A young mechanic standing in a workshop line that many thought he’d never step across, in three days. And out there, beyond the halo in western Sydney, he watched as an old man Pat approached, hugged him and paid tribute: of fire light, awaits the Simpson Desert and ran past the tin shed door. Pat couldn’t believe “You’re my hero mate.” a running course that will beat, scratch, bake a grandfather (although technically at that A man who ran from Sydney to Melbourne and curtail that invincibility to within an inch point this guy was no grandfather) was out runs past a mechanic’s workshop. A man in of its being, to within one more desert thorn there running. He looked at the spanner in that workshop runs from the North Pole to sting of quitting the Big Red Run, an inaugural his hand and then listened to the clomp of a the South. A man listens to that story and runs 250km adventure run odyssey through the potato farmer’s boots fading into the distance six marathons across a desert. Australian Outback. down the road. One day, Mark Moala will run past another The choice of Pat Farmer, the campfire It was Cliff Young. someone … and I wonder: where will the pacer, as event ambassador was smart. Sure, For Pat, it was a calling and he heeded it. inspiration take them? he’d bring some promotional attention, some Eventually he would run much further than credibility – he is one of the world’s most Cliffy could or would have dreamed about. Your inspired editor, accomplished ultra adventure runners after The point: Pat looked to his elders, Chris Ord all, his pinnacle feat after decades crammed listened to the message of moment, [email protected]

8 9 edsword NEW Zealand // Vickie Woolley PHOTOGRAPHY: Tourism New Zealand

WhatWhat aa victory!victory! TheThe NZNZ GovernmentGovernment hashas announcedannounced thatthat itit hashas declineddeclined thethe RouteburnRouteburn TunnelTunnel applicationapplication afterafter aa relentlessrelentless campaigncampaign fromfrom outragedoutraged Kiwis.Kiwis.

For those of you who have no meant it doesn’t belong to the government of Kaweka J to find a kiosk selling souvenir idea what I’m talking about, let – and it sure as hell doesn’t belong to the t-shirts: “I Hiked Up This Mountain But At me sum up a long story. Milford tourists – it belongs to US as a NATION. Least I Could Buy A COKE(TM) At The Top”? SoundSound victoryvictory Sound is one of NZ’s best-known In January this year I ran the 32km And hey – why stop with little ol’ NZ – with attractions, a place where Routeburn track. Early in the morning on a few ‘improvements’ my neighbour and his jacketed tourists get soaked the flats just out of the car park I spooked two wife can nip up Everest during their summer under waterfalls and forested sleeping hinds. I was the first person over the holidays. peaks rise dramatically out of Harris Saddle, leaving tracks in the fresh snow. The drive to Milford IS windy, rugged the deep black waters of the Winding around the southern side of the and torturous. But isn’t that the point – the fjord (and yep, you can run there). pass with spectacular views of the Darran and journey makes the destination? Seems there is Ailsa Mountains, my ears were filled with the a desire within the modern world to dispense The Sound is accessed by road from sound of wind rushing over the craggy peaks with the ‘effort’ part of the Effort=Reward Queenstown: a stunning 3.5hr drive down towering over me, the cry of hawks in the equation. With trail running, the journey IS the eastern side of Lake Wakatipu, west to Te valley below. My ears were NOT filled with the destination: every run is a battle waged Anau and north to Milford. The drive is long the roar of coach engines thundering out of a over environment, weather, terrain, biology, and slow, and tourists don’t like it – especially tunnel beneath me belching blue smoke and physiology, schedule and natural lassitude. It the ones ‘doing’ NZ in three days – it messes carcinogens. Not a digger in sight – in fact, feels so intuitive... the harder the work, the with their schedules. So in 2006 Milford Dart there were no signs of civilisation. Ahhhhhhh. greater the reward. Ltd came up with what they thought was a Kiwis protested. Kiwis wrote letters, signed How can aspirations be born without nail- deadly plan: how ’bout we send people up petitions, lobbied Parliament, tied themselves biting tales of courage, daring and sacrifice to Glenorchy, whack a great big hole in the to things and generally made a fuss... and from those who have triumphed or failed Humboldt Mountains from the start of the our government sensibly relented, as vote- before? What do heroes look like without epic Routeburn Track through to the Hollyford maximising governments do. For now. adventures to shape them into people we want Valley, and voila: foreign visitors can ‘do’ But let’s remain vigilant. Had the tunnel to emulate? Bring on the hard work. Bring Queenstown, the Lake AND the Sound in a gone ahead, can you imagine what a horrifying on the hill – I, for one, want to feel like I’ve comfortable daytrip!! Why not!! they said. precedent that would have set for NZ? What worked for the view. WHY NOT?! Cos it’s a NATIONAL freakin’ next? The RTM Drive: “View every aspect of PARK and a World Heritage area, that’s WHY Ruapehu from the comfort and safety of your Your chuffed but ever vigilant editor, NOT!!! And the last time I checked, that own vehicle”? Imagine struggling to the top Vicki Woolley.

10 11 edsword ASIA // RACHEL JACQUELINE PHOTOGRAPHY: Nic Tinworth / www.nictinworth.com

InIn somesome waysways thethe answeranswer isis obvious.obvious. TheThe unparalleledunparalleled beautybeauty ofof thethe singlesingle tracktrack paintedpainted aagainstgainst aa mountainousmountainous backdrop;backdrop; thethe personalpersonal I’veI’ve beenbeen inspirationinspiration achievedachieved afterafter conqueringconquering one’sone’s demons;demons; thethe releaserelease ofof runningrunning alongalong vastvast landscapeslandscapes andand ththiinknkiingng aa thethe joyjoy ofof sharingsharing thethe experienceexperience withwith friends.friends.

But then sometimes, let’s be countless ascents. Add heat and humidity to alive. I felt grateful for the people in my life. honest, running can really suck. the mix and the experience can be unbearable. I felt euphoric. Exhaustion, injury, suffering Then throw in the dreaded chafe-bombs. After Then we started on the last four kilometres. and ultra running are heavily Trailwalker I had such crazy chaffing as I never My old injuries began to hurt. I ran out of entwined. thought possible. I won’t go into details, but water. I was hungry. I wanted to stop, but lotlot aboutabout thethe lets just say it wasn’t pretty woman. running buddy ran on. I saw a cute puppy, and After 22-and-ap-half-hours battling it So when Hong Kong’s stinking, humid heat welcomed the distraction, drawing to a halt. out with a partially defunct team during set in for our summer, I was happy to take Running buddy yelled and I battled the last the Oxfam Trailwalker last year, I was so a break. I switched the trails for a cross-fit few steps finally making it to the finish of our exhausted I passed out in the homebound taxi. type program and swore off running for three run – salt encrusted, yet insanely satisfied. Literally I was out for the count. On a brief months. That’s when I realised what I had really stop to change taxis, I lay down in the dirty It’s safe to say, while gawking at my growing been missing in those last three months was grime of Hong Kong’s gutters and refused to biceps, I began thinking a lot about the Whys. the ability to feel appreciation at its most raw. move. Everything hurt. I felt more pain than Before I had time to find the answers, they That’s where I believe true joys lie - not just in I’ve ever felt in my life – and I’ve sewn my found me. the greatest highs but also in the great of lows, Whys.Whys. WhyWhy finger in a sewing machine. The joy of running is exactly that – it’s a right there in the thick of suckiness. After walking four flights of stairs to my joy. And when you don’t have it in your life, I realised I run to suffer. I run to prevail over apartment – a brutal end to an exceptionally I believe life is less joy-full. Over those three the pain, to learn the patience I was never long day that already had 4500 metres of months I became crabbier, crankier and less born with. To feel intense feelings of gratitude elevation gain – I lay on my couch and settled. I knew something was missing but over the broadest spectrum of people, places remained there for the rest of the day. I was couldn’t put my finger on it. Until I went for and things. I run to be more resilient. I run to too tired to eat, too tired to move. I cried. my first post-break long run. It went a little be a better person. A lot. something like this: Running represents a microcosm of life. At The North Face 50 in the Blue Mountains, Running buddy and I ran straight up The Life is not always easy. Battling in a run and dodo wwee run?run? after zooming past the 20km mark in sub- Peak. 1.6 kilometres at 20-30% incline. I felt overcoming the challenges along the way two hours feeling like I had jet burners on my good. We kept running uphill. Even better. — having that bit of self-induced suffering back, my right IT band gave up on me. Bugger. Then we hit the trails and I started to feel —prepares me to deal with life’s unplanned Every step on my right foot sent shooting pains brilliant. We turned off our headlamps and sufferings. It’s where I learn to make lemonade through my leg. I compensated by leading with Hong Kong’s dazzling skyline twinkled around out of life’s lemons. It’s where I feel my my left. Then the cramps set in, forcing me to us. I felt happiness. As I bounded along an happiest. shorten my stride to a hobble. Runner after hour into the run, I felt so grateful for my That’s my Why. What’s yours? runner glided effortlessly past, my ego bruising limbs and their ability to propel me through further with each. space and time. I felt I could go on forever. It Your re-sated Asia editor, In general, there are aching muscles on the was one of those moments. I felt happy to be Rachel Jacqueline

12 13 IMAGE: Hannisze Yong IMAGE:

Run through an ancient land in the footsteps of prophets, kings and legends. Looking for adventure run events in Oman? Try one of these: At the heart of adventure running are the sands and wade through oases to of Omani hospitality and a rich cultural Oman Desert marathOn Desert Oman raiD trans Omania the vivid landscapes through which you experience the solitude and immensity of heritage dating back centuries. November 2013 November 2013 January 2014 journey. At the heart of Oman are those one of the world’s greatest deserts. Camp 165km, multiday 195km, multiday 300km/270km/130km non stop ultras grand landscapes that call out to the heart under a canopy of stars and delight in the When not on trail, visit ancient forts, castles www.marathonoman.com www.raidsahara.com of any adventurous soul; landscapes best sheer silence of the desert night. Or head and souks containing hidden treasures and www.raidsahara.com experienced on foot. high to be spellbound by the sheer drama refuel with the gastronomic delights of the of the Al Hajar Mountains, rising to more Old Arabia. Discover where ‘Beauty Has Run the epic Empty Quarter dunes, which than 3000 metres, a place where single an Address ~ Oman’, and create your own offer staggering heights and raw beauty track trails link ancient villages, where running adventure of a lifetime. – a real challenge for runners. Traverse runners are welcomed by the warmth

Beauty has an address ~ Oman www.tourismoman.com.au | Phone: +61 2 9286 8930 | [email protected] Visit SidetripofaLifetime.com.au now’s a good time to buy

MauiMaui JimJim MARMOTMARMOT HotHot SandsSands SunglassesSunglasses ETHERETHER

I’ m always undecided when it comes to which keep them rigidly in place no matter how – the claim of nearly every glass on the market DRICLIMEDRICLIME sunglasses: I trip over a lot, they fall a lot, not to much you bounce down that mountain. I found – is a stretch: they all get scratched sooner or mention I have a habit of losing them; so I have the inward pressure of the arms a little tight, later, and indeed these did too after a few bush in the past tended towards cheap, disposable however. But where these glasses shine is in blunders and the odd car floor shuffle. Still, a types models. Maui Jim’s are decidedly not a keeping out the shine, while maintaining visual great sunglass for trail running: lightweight, pair you want to leave laying around at nearing integrity. You can choose your lens according to comfortable and good at dealing with contrast. If you’re a trail runner who The Ether’s got a hoody ready to pull $210. They’re too good. Rimless sports-style use, but the polarized lenses wipe out 99.9% of wonders why you bother packing a wind- on if your Buff or beanie ain’t enough and (not my usual style, but neither is wearing glare and 100% of harmful UV while still giving breaking jacket, as wearing it invariably the often overlooked, but incredibly useful tights and I do that on trail on cold days), they crisp vision of the contours and undulations VITALS creates a hothouse effect perfect for chest pocket is big enough to stash some sit comfortably on the nose and give great ahead (so you shouldn’t trip as much anyway). 95 $208. RRP AU growing orchids, keep reading this review. food or the jacket itself for when you need glare coverage. Pertinent to the ‘falling off And if you do hit the deck… these are actually www.mauijim.com We may have found the perfect jacket. it compact to squeeze into your kit pack. face’ problem are arm grips with rubber inserts pretty hardy glasses although ‘scratch resistant’ We tested the water resistant (not The shell material is super-light but water-proof) Marmot Ether DriClime appears a little delicate. We suggest running up Mt Donna Buang in the snow caution if you’re a carefree trailite that and speed hiking up the Italian side of doesn’t mind shouldering the vegetation Col Du Ferret at 5am on a bitterly cold either side of the single-track. Be that as it morning – both perfect testing conditions may, the tester completed an involuntary dishing out cutting winds and demanding triple somersault dive descending Mt KatadynKatadyn MyBottleMyBottle WaterWater PurifierPurifier a high-intensity effort. Conditions perfect Donna, at pace, taking the brunt of the fall for creating a cold, wet and miserable trail on the right forearm. The Ether survived runner. the incident unscathed. Not in this case… The fit of theE ther is athletic without Okay, so this isn’t a bit of kit for your A fiberglass prefilter removes bacteria and The Ether DriClime wicking lining, to being tight or restrictive. If your upper regular trail run or ultra event dotted with protozoa like giardia and amoeba as well our surprise, actually works. After both limbs are longer than usual you’ll like the checkpoints manned by volunteers wielding as particles larger than 0.3 microns. Next, a tests, my technical base layer and the extra length in the Ether’s arms. Perfect for every type of electrolyte solution known to three-layer Virupur filter absorbs viruses and jacket’s lining remained dry. No dampness trail running apes. man, safely mixed with tap or bottled water. the smallest particles, then the water passes whatsoever. The attribute ‘breathable’ is Weighing in at 250g, the Ether DriClime But sometimes you’re running without such through a carbon filter to eliminate odors and often used too liberally in our experience. just might be the light, 3-season soft-shell luxury backup. Many multiday adventure runs improves the taste of the water. The cartridge It this case, its use is justified.T he Ether you’re looking for to keep your highlands have you passing through remote territories can filter up to 100 litres – enough to cover DriClime can breathe and breathe well. warm and dry in difficult conditions. and foreign cultures where the water supply is any multiday mission. The flip mouthpiece can Attention to detail was clearly a high not your friend. In fact, given dehydration is be used with one hand, meaning it’s fine for priority when designing the Ether. a risk just from the activity itself, a shot of the drinking on the run. The clever elastic cuffs help keep the VITALS 95 squirts can kill you. Ergo, do what you can to breeze out and the tester comfortable. $159. RRP AU avoid it. VITALS Marmot’s ‘Angel-Wing Movement’ marmot.com/products/ether_driclime This Katadyn water purifier bottle is a great technology used in the underarm panels MyBottle Purifier inc. For local distribution see: answer if you don’t want to go the pill (iodine) 95 allows full arm movement without Virupur Cartridge RRP AU www.allsports.co.nz/ option. The bottle fits most backpack water $89. causing the jacket to ride-up, which 95 slots, side or front strap. It’s not as heavy as Virupur Replacement Cartridge: $59. RRP AU can be an almighty pain in the backside you’d think (but not as light as you’d like: 260g) when wearing a hydration pack. and with the filter in it, only holds 560ml. But if Stocked at Paddy Pallin stores andavailable online at your run passes through villages where regular www.paddypallin.com.au fills are possible – likeGlobal Limit’s Bhutan or For more information on Katadyn Cambodia multidays – this is perfect. www.outdooragencies.com.au

16 17 now’s a good time to buy www.thenorthface.com.au

SHOES: ULTRA GUIDE These provided good support over loose sand and rocky gibber plains. They had awesome grip and while they seem to ENDURO PLUS PACK desert run special be a (slightly) heavier, less-minimal shoe The North Face pack that I ran with was So you’re headed into the desert for a big multiday run. But what to wear? Up and coming trail star, than I am used to, they tracked well when light and small, an advantage on the Lucy Bartholomew, admits to not knowing, her only sand running experience a short stretch of beach my legs got tired and protected my feet shorter days where there was minimal well. Designed for neutral runners and MERINO TIGHT // MERINO LONG SLEEVE ZIP mandatory equipment required to carry. in her ultra debut at the Surf Coast Century. But the Big Red Run multiday was a whole new oversized ultra off road distances, they offered good The thermals provided a light, breathable layer But on the long day (85km) where you kettle of sandpit. The North Face decided to deck her out in a bit of kit. Here’s how she found it… cushioning over the uneven and often harsh that kept me warm pre, post and during the need to carry waterproofs, fleece and terrain underfoot: deserts can be as much run. They didn’t hold sweat and were able to thermals and more water it was a super about hard baked surfaces as soft sand and contain my body heat to keep me warm (yes, it tight fit, to the point where although your feet can cop a pounding. The cradle can chill in the desert, especially at night). They I tried to fill the bladder (I had put heel combined with a rocker shaped sole, were easy to roll up small and were soft and another bladder from another TNF bag sporting an 8mm heel-toe drop (beefy for comfortable to wear. in to equip me with the 2.5L mandatory me), suited my mid-foot strike. I think water) it didn’t fill up properly and I ran $115 //$130 RRP these would, however, suit more technical, out of water. The design is awesome, singletrack running more so that the flatter, the way it sits like a vest and is so light, consistent terrain of the Simpson. with the bottle holders on the front. For $170 RRP me, the clips at the front weren’t narrow enough to fit my small frame and could have done with an extra clip to stop the flapping of the vest side bits up higher. For a multi-stage race this pack probably doesn’t quite have the capacity to hold all mandatory equipment but for shorter day-long events it would be a perfect piece of gear. $220 RRP SHOES: HYPER-TRACK GUIDE After three days of the Ultra’s I swapped BASE CAMP DUFFEL MEDIUM to these, which were a bunch of awesome. A bag’s a bag to me. Unless you (or the They felt lighter and more minimal, which race crew charged with transporting your I really enjoyed. The lighter mesh upper gear) are throwing it around like a bag of let my foot breath more in the hotter final rotten spuds. Let’s face it, on a multiday, TKA 100 MICROVELOUR GLACIER TOP // days and their lesser comparative grip didn’t THINDER 800 DOWN JACKET 100 MICROVELOUR PANT when the camp’s being moved from one really cause any issue in a desert setting. location to the next, the crew aren’t These fleece items were so light that Yes, it gets cold in the desert, especially at night! So this made Downside: on the harder gibber plains there exactly pussy footing around competitor’s to carry them as part of the mandatory the perfect pre (if early crisp morning) and post (nightime) race wasn’t a lot of cushioning and the impact bags. They’ll assume you haven’t packed equipment was not a chore. They were wear. It scrunched up nicely into the inner pocket making it easy to was greater on the feet. For runners looking your glasswear. The bag has to stand up soft and breathable against my skin and pack without taking up lots of room – an important consideration for a more minimalist shoe in The North to the rigours of being thrown, dropped, provided ample warmth – more so than when we had bag and weight limits (standard restrictions on most Face range, or even a crossover shoe road to potentially dragged. So for my money, you’d expect for something so light. multidays where the logistics for organisers of carrying around trail, these could be the ticket. this style of duffel bag is perfect – robust everyone’s kit while they run can be hard). When it got wet it still $80 // $90 RRP $190 RRP material that is water resistant was kept warmth but took a while to dry-out, as Down Jackets do. On a perfect for the beating it took in the multiday this is a consideration as often there’s no time to be spent desert. Go for the larger size, the medium being delicate with your clothing – it’s all stuff it in here, sit on the BETTER THAN NAKEN SPLIT SHORT just a tad too small to get ALL your ground with it there. Race kit – even post wear kit – needs to be multiday gear in (unless you’re an uber tough. So while this jacket was perfect for a desert multiday where Shorts: they rub or they don’t. Simple. lightweight, minimalist packer. I’m not). These didn’t. Some shorts can be a bit flappy days were (mostly) warm enough to dry it off, any location where $190 RRP it was damper and colder may be cause to go for one of TNFs and have material that annoys. These didn’t. synthetic down models, rather than the Goose Down. The shape Light as a feather, they breathed well and and fit of the jacket was perfect for my smaller size and allowed stayed dry no matter what my sweat rate. easy movement with smaller panels. Most importantly, they didn’t smell after six days of running in them. Yes, six days $350 RRP (of course I could just be a sweet smelling human being!). $80 RRP

18 19 Evedsentword previewChris Ord // Australian Editor PHOTOGRAPHY: Phillip Capper / WikiMedia Commons THE GPS FOR EXPLORERS AND ATHLETES

north Island Kawerau King New Zealand

he perfect volcanic ‘cone’ of Putauaki in T Kawerau, New Zealand, may be pleasing to the tourist eye... but the average punter doesn’t plan on running to the summit. Princess of the Mountain’ are also Described as ‘living hell for some held in the morning, with the and a religion for others’, the 8km Grand Daddy of a climb kicking off Kawerau King of the Mountain at midday. started in 1954 as a drunken bet between an Aussie and a Kiwi. In All you need for outdoor sports - navigation, weather conditions, speed, its colourful past, competitors have heart rate, altitude and features for running, biking and swimming. EVENT used fair means or foul, sneaky Packed in a glass fiber reinforced casing with a battery ‘Kawerau King of the Mountain’. life of 16/50 hours, Ambit2 is ready for any adventure. homemade tracks and secret beer caches to run, drag, haul themselves DATE Thousands of Suunto Apps available to add new functionalities to your watch. to the 852m summit and back to 2nd November 2013, Kawerau. Firmin Field in Kawerau. Desperate Stay up to date at www.suunto.com

not only to finish, hard bastards ORGANISER Kawerau Harrier Club. (and their female equivalents) fight Like us on facebook - www.facebook.com/SuuntoAustraliaNZ to earn membership in the coveted WEBSITE Sub-60 Club. www.kawerauharrierclub.co.nz/ School relays and ‘Prince and mountain-race/

20 Evedsentword previewChris Ord // Australian Editor PHOTOGRAPHY: courtesy Action Asia Events

hong kong Hong Kong MSIG50 China

ow in its third year, the Hong Kong MSIG50 Series just N keeps getting better. Last year, the single race was expanded into a three-race series, and this year event organizer, Action Asia Events, has received membership to the International Skyrunning Federation. All three of the MSIG50 around the greenery above the series will be ISF races and are set city. The Lantau course (December to be goodies. With one of the 7) on Hong Kong’s biggest island, biggest cash and prize pots around, includes sweeping coastal views, runners get both goods and glory: while the Sai Kung course (March competitors in the 50km also 1 2014) offers some of the most collect points, get ranked and get gruelling terrain of the series. a chance to take out the overall winner. With 50 kilometre as well Event as a 25 kilometre options, to be Hong Kong MSIG50 Series raced individually, in pairs or in Hong Kong, Lantau, Sai Kung teams of four, there is something

for everyone. Date The Hong Kong race (October October - March 27) starts on Victoria Peak and website takes runners around a scenic route www.actionasiaevents.com

22 Helios FURTHER. FASTER. Event preview PHOTOGRAPHY: Chris Ord FURTHER. FASTER.

Mount Buffalo Buffalo Stampede victoria

ou’ve all seen the term bandied about: YSkyrunning. And you’ve seen the world’s best smash themselves up the steepest of steep mountains, towards said sky, with pained expressions on their face. That’s because the courses are usually brutal in their ‘up- ness’. Now, Australia has its very own Skyrunning challenge with the launch of the new Buffalo Stampede, an outing that also represents a foundation stone in the planned Australia-New Zealand Skyrunning series. Australia/NZ, Marcus Warner. “It’s The Stampede will take place the athlete versus the mountain. on Victoria’s Mount Buffalo, at the It’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s gateway to the state’s high country, definitely a significant challenge and will vie to join the hallowed and the athlete needs to know what ranks of other Skyrunning World they are doing.’’ Series events the likes of Mont Blanc “Nearly 5000m [of elevation gain] Marathon in France, Speedgoat 50 over 75km is up there with some of in the USA and the Mount Elbrus the best races in the world. [Elite Vertical Kilometre in Russia. overseas runners] are going to go Skyrunning as a recognised away pretty sore and pretty beat up discipline traces its roots back from this race.’’ to Italian mountaineer Marino So, too, will Regular Joe runners, Giacometti and fellow enthusiasts it’s assumed. who started pioneering races and Which is exactly the attraction, SLIPSTREAM GL JACKET BIONIC LONG SLEEVE records on famous European peaks isn’t it? THE WORLD’S LIGHTEST WINDPROOF JACKET YEAR ROUND MOUNTAIN BASE LAYER like Mont Blanc in the 1990s. “[It’s] the purest form of mountain EVENT Buffalo Stampede running … getting to the top of a mountain and back down again DATE 5-6 April 2014 as quickly as possible,” says newly WEBSITE anointed President of Skyrunning www.buffalostampede.com.au WWW.MONTANE.COM.AU SLIPSTREAM GL JACKET BIONIC LONG SLEEVE Montane Lakeland 100, Walna Scar pass, 5658m of ascent and 95.8 miles to the finishTHE WORLD’S line LIGHTEST WINDPROOF JACKET YEARWWW.LAKELAND100.COM ROUND MOUNTAIN BASE LAYER 24 Photography by Mark Gillet www.junglemoon.co.uk

WWW.MONTANE.COM.AU

Montane Lakeland 100, Walna Scar pass, 5658m of ascent and 95.8 miles to the finish line WWW.LAKELAND100.COM Photography by Mark Gillet www.junglemoon.co.uk Event preview photograpy: Shaun Collins

North Island BIG O, rotorua New Zealand

ant to go running? Want to go Wboating? Can’t choose?? Do BOTH!! Imagine hurtling at breakneck speed along beautifully carpeted forest trails. You burst from the trees, hell-bent on a PB at the Big and 35km, with run/walk options O... only to find yourself nearly for the shorter distances. And don’t tumbling into Lake Okataina. Leap miss prize-giving Lactic Turkey style into a boat, speed across the Lake, with the traditional ‘All You Can Eat jump back onto terra firma and run Turkey’ up for grabs. another 13kms to complete your Big O... Oh!! EVENT Lactic Turkey’s race-with-a- The Big O Trail Run difference kicks off from newE vent Headquarters at Lakes Ranch, 21st DATE September. Dart through a taped 21st September 2013 bush crash and fly through craters on your clockwise circuit of Lake EVENT ORGANISER Okataina. You can even relax and Lactic Turkey Events. enjoy the boat ride as it is cleverly WEBSITE FOR ENTRY deducted from your overall time! www.lacticturkey.co.nz/ Distances include 10km, 21km BigOTrailRun.htm

26 Optimize your trail running techniques FROM * $360 PER PERSON SIX SHARE

With two of the best trail runners in the world...Hanny Allston, World Orienteering Champion & Brendan Davies, current North Face 100 Champion. Brendan Davies Hanny Allston

Weekend 1 18 - 20 October 2013 Weekend 3 7 - 9 February 2014 Preparing to train - learn the basics of great running technique, how to prepare your training structure, Maximising your potential - Brendan Davies and Hanny nutrition for optimal training performance and recovery, and elite recovery strategies. Join World Allston bring together a suit of World Class speakers to Orienteering Champion Hanny Allston and Australia’s top Ultra Runner Brendan Davies at Lake shed insight into the elite end of trail running performance. Crackenback Resort & Spa to kick start your summer of trail running on A class trails. And what would Seminars include running technique for hills, speed be a trail running camp without a run at night spotting wildlife. and trails; managing fatigue; stress and its impact on performance; supplements and performance helpers & hinderers. There will be plenty of opportunity to run the Weekend 2 29 November – 1 December 2013 trails of Lake Crackenback & the Snowy Mountains. Preparing to race - Brendan Davies and Hanny Allston will assist in optimizing your racing strategies. Experience trail running at its fi nest, both at night and during the day, then enjoy motivational presentations by Hanny & Brendan on the topics of perfecting your taper, nutrition for racing, trail running equipment, 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback NSW and fi nding mental focus. This weekend will include a seat at the Movember Sportsman’s Dinner held on P 02 6451 3000 the Friday 29th November where Brendan Davies amongst others will be guests - see more information. E [email protected] More great package deals available at www.lakecrackenback.com.au

*please scan code for more info and to book now. inrviewNe R uby Muir story + photograpy: Derek Morrison

thethe colourcolour ofof rubyruby She’s the current darling of the Kiwi trail scene, rubberstamping her place as one of the trail community’s Talented Ones with a win in the Tarawera Ultra earlier in the year. But Ruby Muir’s path to singletrack stardom has not been one of convention.

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s we trot around cancer. We were a really close family so that mountains. I was quite shy when I entered the trails of her was like the end of my world at 17,” she explains and there were 1000 people lining up and I backyard training through misty eyes. “My way of coping with it was somewhere at the back of them. Most of ground, the Kiwi star was to run every day. It was a way I could feel the race I was just working my way through of endurance trail emotion when I was quite numb most of the the field – I loved it. I think I placed in the top reveals her secret for time and a way I could have a small, positive three females.” speedwork: a sparring achievement every day, when there wasn’t When Ruby made the decision to move to partner with horns. much else positive in my life.” Auckland to complete a pre-med course her A Ruby’s dad passed away two years later, at 62 running moved to the road and pavements “I dived head first over the fence and he years of age. around the city. It wasn’t long before she slammed into the barbed wire … the whole fence “I ran throughout that time. I ran and I started to experience a series of niggling shook. Yes, I saw my life flash before my eyes,” worked even when he was really sick until my injuries – “a bit of knee pain, nothing bad”. She says Ruby Muir recalling the moment when she family felt I was never home. I was young and would stop running for a few weeks and then learned that she could only just outrun the bull it was my way of dealing with it at the time,” get back into it. that had taken up residence across the road. she says. “I was doing a lot of self-treatment, which I’ve made my way to visit 22-year-old Ruby “After my dad died – when I was quite was too intense for it, so some of the swelling at her home on an orchard in Eskdale, near depressed and quite low – it was the only fluid got pushed into the ITB [Iliotibial Band] Napier in New Zealand’s North Island. The way I could feel again. When I was running a and split it,” she recalls. “I tried to get help and rental she shares with partner Kristian Day lot I could remember him much more clearly. diagnosis … it took a year and a half before I got – also a competitive trail runner – is a cosy I am in a more balanced state these days, to the stage of knowing what was wrong and weatherboard cottage with a pile of almost but sometimes when I run I have more vivid what I could do about it.” worn-out trail shoes on the porch, a sure sign memories of him, which I can’t connect with Leading up to her surgery Ruby could barely that I have arrived at the right door. Across the otherwise.” walk and couldn’t bend her knee. She came road is Eskdale Mountain Bike Park – a myriad After winning The Goat in 2009 in near across a surgeon who offered a simpler option of trails well-buffed by the soles ofR uby’s feet. record time, Ruby was approached by Athletics to the standard and quite complex Iliotibial A quietly spoken, almost reticent athlete, New Zealand. They recommended she follow Band Syndrome surgery, where the band is Ruby has been turning heads since she first up with the mountain running champs as a lengthened using other tissue. lined up for The Goat, a 21km adventure run junior. She did, chalking up a string of results “It wasn’t radical surgery,” she explains. “It’s a with 1000 metres of climbing around the in local North Island races and in the Junior tiny little thing where the surgeon cut out the western flank of Mt Ruapehu, in 2009. Mountain Running Champs. She then went to corner at the back of my ITB where it runs over “I was planning to fast track it, so I entered the Worlds in Slovenia where she finished 11th. my knee, so it can’t touch my knee any more. He and won it out of the blue,” she recalls. “I “I did a couple of races in Italy while I was is the only surgeon in New Zealand who does it.” thought, not only do I enjoy this, I’m quite there. One in Italy was through the Dolomites Told she would not be able to run good at it, so I’ll keep going.” – 13km and 1000 metres of climbing in the >> But there is more to Ruby than natural ability alone. Her upbringing on the Coromandel Peninsula offers some insight. “We grew up active. We grew up in a house I ran and I worked in the bush – there was no proper road to our house, we walked to it,” she shares. “We even when he was really chopped wood and had wood fires so being in nature was something I loved – it felt like it was seared into me.” sick until my family felt Ruby started running off-road at 17 years of age driven by a “really hard time” in her life. “My dad was diagnosed with terminal brain I was never home. I was young and it was my way of dealing ”

32 33 R uby Muir innerview I was quite shy when I entered and “there were 1000 people lining up and I was somewhere at the back of them. Most of the race I was just working my way through the Ruby’s Top Three field – I loved it. NZ Trail Runs Stay off the great walks and touristy trails reckons Ruby:

1) Pinnacles, Coromandel To experience the real New Zealand do some of the rooty tracks of the Coromandel like my regular Coromandel run, which goes from the East Coast to the Pinnacles – it is not the main Pinnacle track, but a really technical and rooty trail. 2) The Kaweka Range, Hawkes Bay I love them – they are so unforgiving – it’s awesome. It’s steep – they are all steep there. 3) The Kepler Track, Fiordland I like the Kepler, although it doesn’t play to my strength. I like to take advantage of being able to run faster over technical terrain than people who are fitter than me, whereas on the Kepler it finishes on 30km of really easy, rolling, wide tracks so you’ve just got to be fit and finish it fast. It’s one of the best.

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very hard,” she says. “There was a turn around at 30km and I wasn’t going to see anyone for Her speed on descents... another 30 or 40km. My food had been a bit late getting there, so when I got handed my “It’s my form of cheating,” gear I was low in fuel. I had a low patch for the last 20, maybe 15km – I had no food. Mentally I wasn’t low, but I was slowing down and I knew “she smiles. “You can beat I needed to eat.” Ruby met up with Kristian 10km out. He paced her in, the first 2km of hichw she dined people who are a lot fitter... on sandwiches, coke and chocolate bars. “Those 2km took quite some time,” she grins, bombing the descents” but adds that her darkest moments actually came in the first 5km. “That’s when you’re running very hard and << up in the bush. you’re thinking, ‘Why the hell am I doing this?’, competitively again, but Ruby was having “We were always running around naked in but I always know that will go after 10km and none of it. the streams, running around the coast – it’s not at the end of the race when I am hurting I just “Recovery was a real surprise to me. Three something I’ve trained for or developed, it’s just turn my music up and think about that.” days after surgery I could put my weight on my how I am. Technical running keeps my mind Music has always played a big part in Ruby’s knee. I was told six weeks before I should try engaged as well and it’s more fun listening running: it dictates her attitude on trail. to run, but in four weeks I was cycling to work to music on a technical track. It’s like playing “Often, on a long race I will have my and back every day.” rather than training for me.” headphones with me, but I won’t play music Ruby returned to race the 2012 Kauri Run, Her speed on descents was noted during all the time so it can be a pick-me-up when crossing the 32km distance in a time of 2hr her win at the Shotover Moonlight Mountain needed, or at the end, like a treat,” she laughs. 54min for the win. She considered that a good Marathon held near Queenstown in February. “Keep running and you can have the music for indication of her recovery and hopeful signs for She passed large tracts of the field during each 10 minutes. I can tell when I am really tired and her goal: to win The Goat. downhill. down, cause I’m just flicking through my songs Just prior the The Goat taking place a nearby “It’s my form of cheating,” she smiles. “You and hating everything.” volcano, Mt Ngauruhoe, erupted violently and can beat people who are a lot fitter than you Ruby listens to a wide variety of music from the event was postponed. About the same time just by bombing the descents, taking a few heavy metal to Mumford and Sons and Nick Ruby was offered a last minute entry into The more risks rather than having the technical Cave. Kepler Challenge, held in Fiordland National skills. Then I can take it easy up the other side “If I want to run fast, or race downhill, or I Park, just two weeks away. and they catch me by the top, then I wave want to catch someone, then I listen to heavy “I had been training for The Goat, which is goodbye again. I always zigzag through races.” metal,” she explains. “I go through phases – a shorter race and a more realistic goal. The The risks don’t always pay off – she says she there are times I am sick of my music and I just Kepler is a lot longer – 60km – so ideally you’d has “a few scars”. like listening to the world and my breathing, but be doing higher weekly mileage and long runs “I was always breaking bones as a kid, but I’ve at the moment every single run I do is with my before an event like that.” done pretty well lately, just skinned knees.” headphones and I almost don’t want to go for a “I didn’t have any expectations as I hadn’t For Ruby, the 2013 Vibram Tarawera Ultra run if my iPod’s flat.I ’m quite addicted to it.” trained for it. I just wanted to see how I would Marathon was the big goal of her recovery. Part of the barefoot revolution since she was do. I think being injured for so long gave me “If I could toe the line of a 100km race, surely born, Ruby turned heads in one of her first time to recover. Before that I had been running I had recovered.” races back when she only owned one pair of quite unhealthily – I was quite obsessed with it Ruby put pressure on herself to perform, but running shoes. and on a lower weight level, so having a break I with results came a lot of local pressure. “I locked them in my car just before a came back stronger. Not as fast, but stronger.” “Everyone in New Zealand was saying Ruby race,” she laughs. “So, I had to run barefoot Ruby hadn’t raced against the South Island Muir was going to win,” she laughs. and it received a lot of attention that I didn’t girls before, but expected strong competition. Ruby knew the race well having supported understand. I didn’t think it mattered what She needn’t have worried, crossing the finish her partner, Kristian, in it previously and wasn’t you were running in. Then I found there were line in a time of 5hr 37min. Ruby was 12th daunted going into her first 100km experience. forums of barefoot runners and naked foot and overall and more than 24 minutes ahead of the “A short race is just as painful as a long race – sole and a whole movement.” second-placed female. Her debut run was just you just push harder.” While she used to train barefoot, the 14 minutes shy of Zelah Morrall’s 2003 record. Even so, Ruby adjusted her perspective to attention from that race led to her being “Yes, I do have the record on my mind for prepare mentally for the 100km. It worked. approached by Vibram FiveFingers. Kepler,” she admits. “I ran it without training She finished seventh overall, winning the Because she didn’t know where she wanted and got the second fastest time. Everyone said women’s in a time of 10hr 30min – a notch over to take her running Ruby was careful not to that was awesome, so I’m thinking ‘hold on, I three minutes behind Nicola Gildersleeve’s seek sponsors and the extra commitments might go back and try’,” she smiles. (Canadian/La Sportiva runner) course record that come with them, but she warmed to the Technical running has always been Ruby’s set the previous year. laidback approach by FiveFingers. strength, something she puts down to growing “I was in a good mental state – none of it felt >>

36 37 inrviewNe

At the root of Ruby’s >> “They sent me some to try – I’ve got quite fussy feet and most shoes make my toes hurt. I motivation is simply a said I would try them, but I was not really sure. They were really understanding.” love to run, although “[True] barefoot is best for me, but these shoes are as close as you get.” At the root of Ruby’s motivation is simply a she admits to a creeping love to run, although she admits to a creeping competitive streak. “I’m not really that hungry to win, but I am competitive streak.” kind of curious [when it comes to racing]. I know that the sort of running I like to do and and we’re not as happy when we finish.” all the basic things,” she explains. “The boy I my strength would suit the Sky Running series I ask her who has the edge. She laughs and work with is autistic, non-verbal and does a lot and those sorts of runs in Europe. I would love looks to Kristian before replying. of self-harm, which is very hard to work with.” to travel, so travelling with my running would be “Lately, Kristian is fastest. While I was Ruby draws some parallels between her awesome, but I don’t know if I want that full-on training for Tarawera he has been doing a lot of running and her time working at Hohepa. lifestyle where you don’t have a home and all you speed work and some special training, intervals “I used to run as a way to cope with my daily do is travel around. I would like to choose a few and tempo runs, and he’s making me quite emotions, but since my injury I learnt that it races and see how it goes,” she offers. jealous. We’ve joined the Harrier club and he’s was not a long-term solution and I had to face Fellow Kiwi trail star, Anna Frost, is an been kicking my arse.” up to them, so now I just enjoy the running. In inspiration to Ruby – a trail runner living For an athlete like Ruby to be performing a roundabout way I guess that lesson helps me the dream, but in Ruby’s version of a similar at the level she is you might expect her to be with my job.” peripatetic, partner Kristian is travelling with training full time. In some ways she is, running While she takes lessons from her running life LAKE MOUNTAIN her and they both enjoy the sights as much as 160km weeks in the build up to the Tarawera into the workplace, Ruby also takes the running they do the running. Ultra and throwing in a 70km run each to work. Studying high performance sport in Napier, fortnight as top up. But Ruby doesn’t subscribe “With one of the boys we look after, everyone Kristian, is also Ruby’s coach. to any norm; she’s an outlier, a judgment best is worried because his favourite thing is to run. “We train together well – we love going illustrated by her 40-hour week job. He runs so much, he just sprints everywhere, for long runs. But our daily running we “I work at Hohepa, which is a community for so that’s a direct way to help – we go for runs normally do by ourselves,” she says as Kristian mentally disabled and I work in the children’s together and it calms him down a bit.” laughs. “I’m a morning person, he’s not, we community. I work in one house that has seven I can picture it now: Ruby and her autistic SKYRUN work different hours and often when we run kids. I support them through daily life, take charge out on the lawn, both running wild, all together we chat too much, so it takes us longer them to school, pick them up, try to teach them part of the healing process. 14/21/31km trail running in a stunning alpine environment Sunday 20th October www.mountainrunning.com.au

BOGONG ALPINE VILLAGE

38 edsportfolioword TheChrisThe Ord // Australian Editor moment:moment: story: chris ord photograpy: Lyndon Marceau aa foliofolio ofof trailtrail imageryimagery

40 41 portfolio lyndon marceau lyndon marceau portfolio

yndon Marceau first came to the What are the best and worst aspects of attention of Trail Run Mag when it photographing trail running as a sport? didn’t even exist. He met publisher Chris Ord while photographing The best part is that the outdoors is my The North Face 100. The two stayed office. I’m in the bush and enjoying stunning in touch, the mag sprang to life landscapes and backdrops. It’s satisfying when and Lyndon was by then well all the elements of a shoot come together how I entranced with capturing the visualised it and the results are portrayed in my poetry of running motion along images. The downside is that Mother Nature singletrack. He has gone on to can be cruel; if the clouds come in too heavy become one of Australia’s foremost and the light disappears, the weather can turn photographers of trail and ultra ugly quickly so I have to be prepared for every running (not to mention playing situation and know how to turn this to my a part in saving the editor’s life!). advantage or make the call to get the hell Here, Lyndon talks about what out of there! the spell of dirt is and how he approaches his art of capturing it What is your approach to composing a trail for our (and others’) pages. running shot? What story are you trying to tell us visually? What’s your personal connection to trail running? Before I shoot I already know what I’m trying L to achieve. The scenarios of my images vary I ’ve always been an outdoors person and depending on the client brief, the landscape, spent a lot of my younger years running and the runner and what story I’m trying to convey. exploring trails by foot and mountain bike. First and foremost though, it’s all about the For me, getting out on the trails is all about light. I ask myself am I shooting at sunset, freedom, challenge and the ever-changing sunrise, underneath tree cover, big vistas with environment. It’s refreshing to run and be small runners, do I need or can I use flash fill a part of a community where people at all or am I shooting natural light? Ultimately I’m levels are genuinely interested in sharing trying to momentarily distract my viewers and their experience. catch their attention with an image that makes them go “Wow, I want to go run there” or at Why have you chosen to make it a focus least “I want to go for a trail run”. of your photographic subject matter? You’re starting to pop up at all the big trail The trail running community feels like a run events and have shot some decent big family, which makes it a rewarding and adventure runs too - what are a few of enjoyable sport to be part of. The people and your favorite shoots to date and why? characters I meet on trail shoots are interesting and varied. For me, also, the challenge of capturing runners in motion in the environment Being invited to shoot Tarawera 100 where — getting a shot that gets the balance right competitors and elites from all over the world between the three things: people, action and descended on Rotorua, on New Zealand’s place - is a buzz. If an image potentially inspires North Island. This race was so fast at the pointy others to run in the wilderness, that thought end that we were literally being outrun. And we motivates me a lot, too. >>

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<< a long, sleep-deprived weekend of shooting smile, look serious, run here, go there and most were using cars and boats. was challenging beyond my wildest dreams. importantly have fun and enjoy the day/night The other one that stands out was crewing I recall sitting in the back of a horse float all the while composing my shots usually to and photographing for Lisa Tamati and Chris huddling over my cameras trying to stay awake brief for a client. This said, the pace and true Ord (TRM Editor) in their Run The Planet TV and somewhat warm and in between shooting emotion of shooting on race day I love and it’s Pilot in Alice Springs. It was such a challenging athletes arriving at this checkpoint waiting for this excitement that can never be re-created MARATHON & HALF MARATHON venture with temperatures soaring to around a lift off the mountain at 3am in the morning. the same in a staged shoot, but it’s a different 50C in the Northern Territory outback/desert, At the time this was the last place I wanted to thought pattern and process all together. wearing my crewman hat along with my be, but looking back on it now, I revel in the photographer hat and having to be switched on experience and cannot wait to go back and If you could shoot any trail event (that 12KM DAY RUN & 12KM NIGHT RUN all the time to Lisa and Chris’s needs as runners shoot Northburn in 2014. you haven’t yet shot) which would it be while planning shots in between. The events and why? that unfolded (Chris has a tetany seizure) Do you prefer photojournalism event 1.5KM FREE MOUNTAIN DOWNHILL & UPHILL and the camaraderie of the crew made this a shoots or staged, profile shoots working I t’s hard not to be drawn to an event like fulfilling experience. one on one and why? UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc). Set in No race has more been more physically 5KM FUN & KIDS RUN. NUTRITION & TECHNIQUE SEMINARS amongst the Swiss Alps of Chamonix where challenging to shoot than the Northburn 100 I prefer working on advertorial style shoots the world of trail runners and ultra elites all Mile in Cromwell, on New Zealands’ South one-on-one with athletes, be it individually or come to purely enjoy running. It’s a week- Island. The race director, Terry, warned me with a couple of runners at once. This allows long festival, the town comes alive and has a that competitors don’t race Northburn they me to connect and engage with my subjects heartbeat of it’s own. I would love to test myself survive it. And survive it I did also. Shooting and learn more about them. It’s challenging to and my abilities at altitude, capturing the in freezing conditions, with extremely strong bring out their best side, help them relax, run, 8-10 MARCH 2014 >> winds that literally knocked me off my feet and

WWW.MOUNTBAWBAW.COM.AU 47

AU/NZ portfolio lyndon marceau portfolio

<< What is your all time favourite trail running elite athletes as they fight for podium places. shot that you have taken and why? Second to this would be Transvulcania in the Canary Islands. Something about the contrast One image I love coming back to was on in scenery from lush rainforest to dry baron a shoot for Ay Up Lighting Systems. A good volcanic landscapes is very appealing. friend and trail runner mate, Josh and I had planned this shoot for weeks and time was Does shooting trail running require any running out to deliver images. As luck would special photographic gear? What is your have it come shoot day the storm clouds had most versatile set up (for the photography rolled in and our weather window between trainspotters out there)? heavy downpours was brief to say the least. We decided to push on and headed out on The gear can be as basic or as complex as part of the Coastal Track in NSW to shoot you like it depends how far you’re willing to at dusk to create some dramatic images with carry it to a location/race or BYO mule! I use all the Ay Ups lights in their element. The shoot Nikon gear with my standard kit being a Nikon was going well, Josh was looking relaxed and See more running well, all the images were coming d3, Nikon d3s, 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Check out more of Lyndon’s work at together and we’d packed all our gear and my telephoto zoom, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED standard www.marceauphotography.com or in zoom and a wide angle 14-24mm f/2.8G ED camera bag into my trusty North Face duffels most editions of Trail Run Mag! with 3 x SB700 Speedlites, Pocket Wizards radio because the trails were already super wet triggers and Manfrotto lightweight stands - and muddy and incase of a downpour. And geez that sounds like a lot!! a downpour we did get. The clouds turned that beautiful dark grey just after the sun set Tell me about a moment you recall on job and the trails felt very eerie. A few spots of that encapsulates trail running for you? rain started falling but we pushed on, hoping to get a few more angles and images. Five minutes later things started looking serious, My most recent job was one of the most with lighting out to sea and thunder clapping relaxed, fun and enjoyable shoots I’ve been above, we both agreed it was time to hot foot on. Working in conjunction with Trail Run it. No sooner had I zipped up my camera Mag and Craft, I rallied a few of my good trail bag and my duffel and was pulling the cord run mates to join me on an adventure. So on my rain jacket that mother nature rained with a male and female runner, videographer, down on us in fury, it was one of those and supporting mates, I headed out into the torrential tropical downpours and we still Blue Mountains, NSW, to one of my all time had a kilometre walk out. Trudging along favourite locations I had recced and always the trails soon ankle deep in most places Josh wanted to shoot at sunset. This for me just and I were relishing in our luck and how oozes what trail running is all about: running Behind the scenes on some of the awesome an experience it had been, albeit a in pretty cool spectacular locations at sunset shots in this peice. See Lyndon and few drenched souls. and just enjoying being in the outdoors at what crew in action! is arguably the best time of the day and what’s commonly referred to as magic hour.

48 49 Chris Ord // Australian Editor edsfeatureword feature Duncan Read is not an experienced ultra runner. He’s a regular guy, with a regular job, a great wife and two kids. Sure, he’s always been sporty and looked after bigbig redred heart his fitness. But he has type 1 diabetes, and has had

story: Duncan Read PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Malouin and Chris Ord so for 27 years, since he was 14. He entered the Big Red Run, a 250km multiday in the Simpson Desert, for an adventure and to prove that type 1 diabetes is not a barrier. This is his story, not of running or sore legs, but about the second time type 1 diabetes changed his life.

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hat kit bag is way too small.” Tom overwhelmingly positive experience. Tputs into words my first thoughts The founder of Big Red Run, Greg Donovan, “ of the Big Red Run 2013. Except my was inspired to create the event after the thoughts include expletives. The diagnosis of his son, Steve, with type 1. Like size of the bag leads to doubts and me, Steve was diagnosed in his teens. Unlike questions: How am I going to get me Steve was only 20 and had only a few of my Duncan’s ever present guar dian: my clothes, medical supplies and 27 years’ type 1 experience. an insulin level test kit. compulsory kit into that? Plus all Once I read Greg’s story I signed on. This my food for six days? How the hell was an event that would not only push my am I going to run 250km? physical and mental resolve beyond any sane measure, but would also take me to a great part It is late in the evening after our charter of Australia and allow me to raise money and flight unloaded us in Birdsville, in outback awareness for diabetes. It felt like my calling. Quensland. I’m in the community hall, the It had taken nine months to prepare. I talked welcomes are done and the race briefing is my mate Tom into running as a race partner. I’d about to start. had lots of GP visits and consultant advice to I’ve missed dinner. Bollocks. I had missed work out a health plan. I’d had physio sessions, dinner. What was my blood sugar level? When nutrition advice, and I’d tested my food and was my last injection? OK. Blood glucose test… insulin strategies - not to mention a whole lot [8.7]. That’s good. Maybe I’ll skip dinner and of running and strength training. just have a lower dose of my long acting insulin So here I am on the eve of the race, in good tonight; polish off a Mars Bar and muesli bar shape. Even so, I’m not sure my joints will to tide me over. Not ideal preparation for a survive, or that my mind will overcome the marathon, but enough to get me through the pain of a grueling 250km course. So what? I night. Little did I know it, but I just made my have my Plan B. I am already over half way first mistake of the race. towards my fundraising target of $20,000 and At that moment, I was thrilled, adrenaline was I have proved that I am fit enough for at least pumping. I’d packed and repacked my kit at least one marathon. So, what the hell if I don’t finish four times the day before and I was now on the all six stages? I’ll have given it a bash, promoted verge of the greatest adventure of my life. the message, and I’ll go back home safe. That I manage to squeeze my gear into the kit was enough. bag. I tie my sleeping bag, mat and spare But deep down I knew that would be failure. runners to the outside and walk to the I am out here to prove that at 41, with 27 years campsite. There is no going back now. Unlike of type 1 behind me, I can compete with the the week in 1986 when I was diagnosed with fittest. Can’t I? type 1 diabetes, this week is going to be an >>

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At the first checkpoint my blood glucose meter is low... [3.2]. I cram in two gels, a muesli bar and a sports drink. Too much for my stomach”

<< I’m a mess. I test my sugar... [10.9]. Brekky has I could go on listing blood sugar level after ENTER THE SAND MAN kicked in. Great. Outside ten minutes later I blood sugar level, but the story of the rest of test again... [11.8]. I always like two tests close the day is pain. I’ve stuffed something up. This It’s 05:30. Race day. We stir in our sleeping bags. together to show me the trend. This trend isn’t normal running. I switch on my headlight and fumble for my is up, which is good, as the extreme exercise We’re passed by runner after runner as I blood testing kit. Test...[5.0]. Perfect. Better ahead will bring my sugars down. fight my glucose level harder than I fight the have a small jab of fast-acting insulin — not The race director calls us to start and with beautiful but challenging desert course. I eat too much — big day today. I would normally a blast of the horn we’re off into the desert and eat, and then eat some more. inject around 4-5 insulin units before eating a and the unknown. The first checkpoint is in I spend a lot of time thinking of my mum, bowl of porridge and a muesli bar. With a full 12km. I calculate one or two energy gels should of her feelings of love, encouragement and marathon ahead of me I decide that one unit get me there. Seven or eight runners are out support. And knowing that she is back in Type 1 Diabetic Roger Hanney gets his kit checked by will be enough. Jab. ahead, but most are behind us. England worrying as only the mum of someone partner and eventual BRR winner, Jess Baker. We eat porridge and top up with a “Hi I’m Lucy.” A young girl joins alongside. To with type 1 diabetes can. But also worrying concoction of electrolyte powders, fish oil pass the time and take my mind off the dunesI with the unconditional love all mums, my tablets and magnesium supplements. Kit is ask Lucy if she knows much about type 1. wife included, have for their kids; regardless of packed into two bags, one to go to the camp “Yeah, a bit, we’ve studied it at school.” whether they have a chronic condition or not. and one that will travel every single kilometre Lucy is just 17. I was diagnosed with diabetes I decide to run today for my mum, and all on our backs. 10 years before she was even born. mums, and finish 42km in 7hrs. My legs are BRR founder Greg Donovan and his Type 1 Diabetic son, My backpack is 5-6kg, despite only packing At the first checkpoint my blood glucose smashed, my tummy is full. I’ve been burping Steven. They both completed the 250km event. essential safety items: two litres of water, food meter is low... [3.2]. I cram in two gels, a muesli and retching for the last three hours. I want to bag including energy gels, electrolyte powders, bar and a sports drink. Too much for my pull out. Already. muesli bars, nuts and lollies. Plus, a couple of stomach, but on we march. Ten minutes later I can pull out. Others have come to complete extra things to manage my diabetes: two blood I call out to Tom to stop for another test to one marathon, not the 250km course. I can test kits, just in case; my two insulin pens —one check my blood sugar trend. Crap! ...[2.1]. Even do that. I can save face. I’ve raised money. I’ve blue with fast acting insulin, and one white with lower. Even though I’d stuffed in food just a few proved one marathon can be run in the desert long acting insulin; and a spare bag of food. I’m minutes ago, in went more, a handful of snakes, by a type 1. I’ve shared my story with at least still worried about whether I’ve got enough. I another gel and another bar. I was full. Ten one runner. There is no failure in that. I can’t sling the pack on and make my way across to the minutes later... [3.2], then... [4.4]. repeat today’s run. I can hardly walk. start outside the iconic Birdsville Hotel. Tom knows about diabetes. We’ve spent a Settling into camp I meet Roger Hanney. He A throng has gathered, colourful, noisy and lot of time talking about emergency plans on has type 1 but is an experienced ultra runner. excited. Cameras snap, drink bottles are filled our training runs, just in case we needed them. He eats up events like this for breakfast. He and and everyone is smiling. So am I. But inside Like a diving ‘buddy’, Tom is there just in case. >>

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<< clogs our shoes. Each foot feels like a medicine the rest of the Born to Run team have run four of ball. My knee is sore and the surface is slippery. these style events on four different continents. It is tough as hell. DIABETES AND He was cool, pin up quality cool. Again I battle the balance of endurance ENDURANCE I approach him. “Roger, something went exercise, sugar level, food and insulin. Again wrong with my diabetes today, I was fighting I win. The only eventful thing is having to SPORTS – HOW low sugars all day.” stop to lube up my nipples. Damn my wet We spend an hour talking about type 1, shirt is scratchy. DOES IT WORK? endurance events, glucose levels, nutrition, We make it up the biggest dune ‘Big Red’ and insulin. The problem was that I’d not eaten Tom and I sprint down the other side for the The bodies of people with type 1 enough the night before. I’d also not reduced my finish. Three marathons in three days. diabetes cannot regulate blood long acting insulin enough the previous night. That night we sit around the campfire and sugar levels; simply, their We explored options. That’s what you do with share stories of living and competing with type pancreas is cactus. Instead, type 1. You learn from experience and shared 1. We tell people that type 1 is not a disease you they need to carefully balance experiences. You adapt. That evening, Roger choose, or that you can avoid. It just happens. things like eating, exercising helps me find the answer.I t proves crucial. It happened to me and Steve Donovan in our and using the drug insulin – The next day I change my insulin dose, teens. It happened to Roger when he was in his which they cannot live without reducing the units of long acting insulin 30s. It happened to some of the volunteers too. – to target blood sugar levels significantly and split it 50:50 meaningI will It strikes, and it changes lives. of between 4 and 8. Blood glucose have half a dose of insulin when I wake up and When it happens it’s scary. You hear about testing kits the size of a wallet half when I get back from the run. all the things you can’t do, or can’t eat. Roger are carried everywhere. The next day pans out well. I feel like King puts it well: “If someone tells you can’t do Diabetics are taught to recognise Kong. Indeed, I beat my day one marathon time something because of type 1, get a second much higher (>10) or much lower opinion. If that second opinion also tells by over an hour. Now I think I have it nailed. (<4) blood sugar levels, but you can’t, adapt. Be resilient. Work around Now I can relax a little and enjoy the extreme activities make it harder. safely, but prove them wrong.” Simpson Desert. I see a dingo at the start line, When glucose levels are too I don’t sleep well that night. I worry about birds, and cattle. There are so many different low there is an immediate and nighttime hypos, the worst kind. They are types of surface I can’t count. Soft sand, hard dangerous impact, which may lead more likely when you have been exercising. sand, stones, sandy moguls, gibber plains, flats, to hypo (collapse, and sometimes, Especially when you have run three back-to- dunes and spinifex - the prickly cactus plants but rarely, death). This can be that get in your shoes and socks and are the Big back marathons in the desert. One strategy is to averted by eating foods or drinks Red runner’s nemesis. go to bed with higher than normal sugars. This rich in simple carbs like jelly On the second night strangers turn into makes sleeping difficult. You get thirsty, you beans, biscuits, orange juice. family. The campfire does that. It softens need to drink, you need to piss. When glucose levels are too high people and peels away a layer of defence. I I go to bed with high sugars... [18.2] worried the risk is less immediate, but speak openly to my new family. I tell them I had that my increased sensitivity to insulin, caused high sugars can also lead to coma run day two for my dad, a man who believed in by the extreme amount of running, will make and death if extended over long me, who knew I could do it. For my dad who me tank, an experience where sugars drop periods. Insulin and exercise lower took me cycling through the Pyrenees just a few rapidly during the night. blood sugars. Food raises them. years after my diagnosis. He never let on his The tank does not arrive. The eventual fear or worry about the disease, he didn’t micro- mistake is a result of my tiredness in the Poor control over short periods manage me. He left me to my own devices and morning caused by broken sleep from needing of several days is uncomfortable made it normal. It was just a cycling holiday. I to drink. I am a physical and mental wreck. but can be okay. Poor blood also ran for other fathers who teach their kids Shattered. I flick on my head torch, fish out glucose control over long periods to believe, and who lead by example. Hopefully my blood testing kit and insulin. I test... [18.4]. is very serious and inevitably the father that I am being. Thought so. It felt high. I think about my leads to a higher risk of The third day brings rain. The first time in insulin strategy for the day. It’s a shorter day, complications like high blood the Simpson for four months. Great for farmers. only 25km. I decide to have a reduced shot pressure, heart disease, kidney Bad for runners. The sand turns to mud and >> failure, eye damage. Keeping fit, exercising and eating a healthy balanced diet is even more critical in a person with type 1 than it is for everyone else. If someone tells you you “My view,” says Duncan, “is that vigorous exercise should be promoted and encouraged for can’t do something because of people in type 1. It has a multitude of physical, social type 1, get a second opinion.” and psychological benefits.”

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<< next lesson in managing type 1. Roger springs adapt and overcome anything?” The penultimate day, and a double marathon of long acting insulin in the white pen. in to action. He questions, rationalises the He’s saying I should start on time, but the in a day is daunting. The furthest I’d ever I draw up eight units and jab it into my bum. science, we do the maths and work out exactly look on my face gives away that I’m worried I have just overdosed walked is 100km in two days at an event called Bang. All in. It is getting light now and I put how much sugar I need to counteract the for my life. He apologises, saying the decision the Alpine Challenge in Victoria. In that the pen back in its case. FUCK! Fuck-fuck-fuck- insulin. We go to the medical tent where an is mine. event my team walked 75km on the first day, fuck-fuck. I have used the wrong pen. I have array of runners are being bandaged. We tell Yet, he’s right. The safety network is in place. on fast acting insulin camped and finished with a 25km walk the just overdosed on fast acting insulin in eight, the medical team the situation. The doctors and medical team know what’s next day. My feet had been wrecked and that yes EIGHT times the required dose. This is bad. My blood sugar is dropping, fast. We find happened, they will be at every checkpoint. was walking. This was a different kettle of fish. Within 15 minutes my sugar level will plummet. enough carbs to make Augustus Gloop go weak Tom will be with me. There are 4WDs and a in eight, yes EIGHT times This was well outside my comfort zone. It will I will need to eat a horse made of sugar just to at the knees. Sitting in front of me is Roger and helicopter. This is my life-changing moment. be the longest distance I have ever covered in a equalize, let alone make up the additional low the race medical director, Dr Glenn Singleman. I lace up shoes and prepare my kit, pondering day, and I’ll be running. from running a half-marathon later in the day. Between us is a mountain of glucose. Two the decision on whether to run, whether to wait, the required dose” I worry about sugars and insulin and what I am on my own. I grab a pack of jellybeans and 600ml bottles of Powerade; one can of Red or whether to pull out. Word has spread. The to leave at various checkpoints. But I make a start eating and sobbing at the same time. Bull; one 500g bag of snakes; two glucose syrup volunteers and other runners all know. One- plan. Tom and I will run the first and walk the My race is over. Idiot. vials from the medical bag; one jar of honey. by-one they drop by. A hug here, a word of << second marathon. We expect a 16-hour day. In 27 years of injecting I have done this only The clock ticks and I start eating and drinking. encouragement there. I test my blood sugar. Far checkpoint with me. We joke it is the carbs that I I don’t remember much about the first leg once before, but not when I was in the middle All of it. All except the honey. from being low it is super high. Jess walks past. guzzled down that is powering me through. But, except that it is dark and that I am flying, high of one of the hardest races on earth, when my I start feeling better. My sugars are high and She and Roger not only camp and race together, with my bloated belly, I know it is Pat’s power on emotion after receiving Facebook messages body was super-sensitive to insulin. Another stabilising. This strategy may work. they live together. Jess knows about diabetes. and the spirit of all the support behind me that from friends and family. At checkpoint one I mouthful of jellybeans. The race starts in less Explaining the predicament to the race She sees my distress. She doesn’t say anything, keeps me moving. Pat knows I am in pieces; he restate my commitment to run the long day for than an hour. There is no way I can possibly director, he agrees that I can start one hour just touches my arm reassuringly and heads off to knows and he runs and he talks. He shadows my wife, Justine, and sons Will and Henry. To consume enough carbs to run safe. after everyone else to allow the sugars to kick warm up. With that touch, I make my decision. me like a guardian. His stories of incredible show them that you can do anything you set Roger. Where’s Roger? in. It is the shortest run day, which makes me Not only will I run. I will start on time. adventures take my mind off the fear. P at again your mind to. “What’s up?” feel better. We run around a lake. I don’t remember any teaches me that anything is possible. Of course, it is sod’s law that the longest day He can tell from the look on my face I go to thank Roger and tell him I’m starting of it. All I can say is that at 25km and 3hrs of That night I make the journey to the top of the is also the hottest. The strong, dry wind makes something is wrong. late. He looks surprised and disappointed. running, it is a bloody big lake. Legendary ultra Big Red sand dune and weep into my phone. It it harder. But like the sun we blaze through the “I’ve just ended my race. I’m a fucking idiot.” “Are you sure?” he says. “Isn’t this the point? runner Pat Farmer runs from the start to the first must have been hard for my wife. Like so many first marathon and keep going; running I explain what I have done. Then comes the Isn’t this why we are here? To show that we can >> others who lend support, her role is crucial. >>

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A story about love, << and talking and running and believing. I learn about willpower, but I also learn that belief, and hope and it doesn’t really matter what distance you run, it is always the last few kilometers in each day that hurt the most. That is when the demons support. About adapting come and will you to stop, when you are close to the finish. These last 10km of day five are the hardest I and having fun” have ever travelled. It is endless. Lifting knees is hard and the soft sand and rutted and lumpy trails don’t help. In the end my legs just won’t run and we walk. The sun drops down and we on five continents. I told her what her touch on pull on head torches. my arm had meant to me on day four. That it A cheer from the campsite sighting our was one of the reasons I was still in the field. lights buoys us and we ran the final 800m. As I cross the finish line I am underwhelmed W e cross in 12hrs 35 minutes, knowing we by the lack of emotion I feel. I can’t understand vitals will now finish off the Big Red Run. I had it. I feel sad that the week is over, but happy Donate to JDRF at Big Red Run. already proven on that longest of days that that I would soon return to my family. I’m anything was possible. not shattered. I feel I can turn around and everydayhero.com/au/duncan. I stay up most of the night, eating and testing run another day, or two or three. The emotion Big Red Run will take place and injecting. The fire is warm, the stars are hasn’t hit me. again in July 2014. Details at out and I think of my wife and my sons sleeping Sitting under the Birdsville Pub verandah www.bigredrun.com.au under the same stars. I hum Chariots of Fire. trying to process the past six days, ultra runner Diabetes is again keeping me up but I am fine. Lisa Tamati approaches asking me for my story, I am great. for a few words about diabetes. I tell a story I had thought that the race was about me, I have shared rarely before, not even with my about Steve, about type 1, but I was wrong. It parents. I shared it with Tom somewhere deep was much more than that. It was about raising and dark on the longest day. funds and awareness for diabetes, but it was It was a story about a sick and scared 14-year- also about the cause of every runner out there. old in the week before he was diagnosed with It was about teamwork, spirit and belief. diabetes. It was a story about his scared family, I made time on the last day to talk to as many and his mum and dad’s unwavering support. people as possible as we packed up camp. For It was a story about love, belief, and hope and some it was their passion, for some it was a support. About adapting and having fun. world record. All of us had our causes. There Most of all it was a story about achievement was diabetes, asthma, depression, mental and what that 14-year-old could do 27 years illness, cancer, Red Cross, weight loss, love, later. It was about his hope that his story would loss, determination, Papua New Guinea, and be shared with other families encountering even left ventricular non-compaction disorder. type 1 for the first time.I t was a story that after But, most of all we were all there for fun. so many years with diabetes you could still be I love day six. I spend it at the front of the fitter, stronger and more resilient than all of your pack. It’s a bit like the last stage of the Tour peers for having, rather than not having, type 1. It de-France; no one challenges the leader. We was a story about the second time that diabetes Check out some of the action gently run into Birdsville and the waiting changed my life. on the sand, press PLAY supporters, volunteers and media. I talk to Jess who wins outright. As part of the Born to Run team she has now completed five desert runs An iconic race s hould start and finish at an iconic place: t he Birdsville Pub, Outback Queensland.

60 61 edsfeaturewordmongolianChris Ord // Australian Editor magicmagic They say warrior legend Genghis Khan was the first to utter, “it’s not how many breaths you STORY: Rachel Jacqueline take, but the moments that IMAGES: Lloyd Belcher Visuals take your breath away”.

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skullskull bonesbones ofof eateneaten animals.animals. ItIt reallyreally givesgives youyou anan ideaidea ofof whatwhat kindkind ofof ruthlessruthless landslands you’reyou’re travellingtravelling through,through, andand whatwhat peoplepeople survivesurvive inin”” ike Maddess bets that Khan offer a unique cultural experience as they spoke those words while stand in awe at the crazy foreigners running standing on top of a rocky across their land. mountainside looking out over Hailing from Canada, Maddess is a lifelong the vast sweeping steppes of his fan of the singletrack and has logged many Mongolian empire. hours racing over remote trails across Asia. But he believes there is something “It’s just some place completely different,” mesmerising about heading into the open says the Action Asia Events race director, deserts of Mongolia. It’s a magic that has speaking of the land of yurts, nomads and been slowly pulling him back to the country goat milk that has evolved into one of his over the last decade. company’s most popular race destinations. Maddess first planned a race in Mongolia In the last two years, Maddess has taken in 2002. Over the course of the year he spent almost 250 runners exploring hundreds of weeks planning the course for the ultra kilometres of the country in his three-day, challenge, to be held the following year. But 60 and 100km ultra marathon and hikes. He as the onset of SARS in 2003 devastated the joins long time race organisers, Sunrise to Asian economy, Mongolian Airlines cancelled Sunset Ultramarathon, who has held a 100km flights, the event sponsor pulled out and the race there since 1999. event was eventually cancelled. “Running [in Mongolia] gives you a chance “It was incredibly disappointing and we to challenge yourself in different way. You lost a lot of money,” he says. “But I knew I M get completely different views and see all would be back.” He was right, but it took him sorts of things you wouldn’t usually see, like ten years. skull bones of eaten animals. It really gives Mongolia’s economy has experienced a you an idea of what kind of ruthless lands boom in recent years, bolstered by foreign you’re travelling through, and what people investment, mining and cashmere exports. survive in.” Since suffering a devastating blow twenty The nomadic Mongols, many of which still years ago after embracing sweeping political dress in their native colourful attire, also >>

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Mongolia offers variety beyond most people’s expectations, making it challenging on the body. “It’s like going up a staircase”

<< opportunity to run on virgin trails ranging and economic reforms, Mongolia’s economy from grasslands, muddy bogs to sand dunes has grown from a measly 2.9% to a reported and rocky mountains, while running among 17% growth rate in 2011, though the growth wild animals and passing local nomads in is now closer to 8%. It has brought with it their ger camps. It’s pretty much a cocktail direct flights into the country and bustling of everything, which makes the course fun, tourism. interesting and a challenge.” While capital Ulaan Baatar is described by “Plus it’s pretty cool to tell your mates that Maddess as a “mad house”, just ten minutes you ran an ultra in Mongolia,” he adds with out of the city guests are able to find serenity a smile. in Mongolia’s desolate, though welcoming Mongolia offers variety beyond most terrain. There is no phone coverage where he people’s expectations, making it challenging takes his race-goers. “They love it, they really on the body. “It’s like going up a staircase get a chance to unplug,” he says. “Their boss made of jello,” says Maddess of the multiple can’t call them.” sand dunes that are a common feature in his But why exactly would you want to go to races. “Then of course there’s running down Mongolia, I hear you say? To run? Exactly the them… It’s exhilarating.” same reason most people wouldn’t want to “I loved the variety of the terrain,” adds go there. Brigette Weber, another competitor at the “Mongolia is the least densely populated 2013 event. “Smooth hills, running through country on earth, and is also the world’s cow and goat herds, though they did make second-largest landlocked country,” explains navigation a bit more difficult,” she admits. runner Michael Ormiston, who took line Mongolia offers what there simply isn’t honours at the 2013 100 km Mongolia ultra much of in other parts of the world says marathon and hike. fellow competitor Dana Baluk: flat, runnable “It’s one of the last great frontiers and, terrain. “There are enough hilly or technical given so much land mass, presents an >>

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MongoliaMongolia offersoffers whatwhat therethere simplysimply isn’tisn’t muchmuch ofof inin otherother partsparts ofof thethe worldworld””

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likelike anyany goodgood race,race, thethe bestbest partpart ofof travellingtravelling toto thisthis remoteremote ENTER NOW! to secure discount countrycountry toto runrun isis thethe abilityability toto accommodation! reallyreally connectconnect withwith others.others.””

THERE’S A FINE LINE BETWEEN PLEASURE & PAIN

<< zero. I almost got hypothermic.” races around I believe… the relatively flat But like any good race, the best part of vitals course offered maximum enjoyment of the travelling to this remote country to run is surroundings,” she says. the ability to really connect with others. Action Asia Events three-day It is also a land of the unexpected, adding Hovering by the campfire surrounded by marathon and hike is held in to a sense of real adventure. “You’re on the their ger tents, inoperable mobile phones June each year edge of Siberia,” Maddess cautions. “The tucked away in their packs, people start weather can be really unpredictable.” lifelong conversations with strangers that www.actionasiaevents.com “On day one of this year’s race, the morning soon become friends. The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset started off with blue skies and temperatures “It’s such a big part of all of these races, is held in August each year were in the mid to high twenties. In the the socialising,” says Maddess nostalgically. afternoon we looked out and there was just “They come back to the tents each night and http://ms2s.dk this wall of rain coming towards us. I was share their experiences with each other. I stuck out on the course bringing in the last think that’s what really makes this race - it’s participants, while standing under a tree. The a shared journey.” temperature must have dropped to almost SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER TRAIL RUN + MOUNTAIN BIKE MULTISPORT MT BAW BAW, VICTORIA WWW.MOUNTBAWBAW.COM.AU

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AU/NZ feature

Black Dog Days Shaun Brewster seeks insight into the lows that can follow the extreme highs of ultra and adventure trail running. Here, he talks to four trail athletes with different perspectives on why it happens and how they cope, while Dr. Joan Steidinger – also an ultra runner – offers her professional insights having studied the psychological and physiological lows of her beloved sport.

STORY: Shaun Brewster with Dr. Joan Steidinger IMAGES: Lyndon Marceau and Tegyn Angel

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Life compressed. That’s the the the buoyancy of finishing her big adventure experience of running long runs. distances. In any ultra run, you “I suffer from psychological dips after big feel incredible high points and, of events, without fail,” says Tamati. “When it first course, fall to depths that have happened I was worried I would never pull out you asking why put yourself in this of depression. It was after the Marathon des position? Sables in Morocco and it was a combination of having gone through a life-changing experience Maybe it is that very emotional contrast and having exhausted the body completely. that has us coming back again and again? An “The experience is intense, new and addiction anchored in the fact that with the overwhelming. The build-up to any big experience of extremes comes great perspective run comes at the cost of an awful amount and the ability to validate just about any torture of training, preparation, fundraising and you find yourself in. organisation to get there. Then, the run itself This notion of ‘life compressed’ into a run is wildly difficult, but you then achieve what does not finish at the finishline, however. you set out to do and it’s an amazing high. You For some, the post-run mental low or ‘Black come home on a strange mixture of elation and Dog’ is an inevitable part of the comedown exhaustion and satisfaction. Sometimes it feels that happens after an extreme effort.I ’d even surreal and the achievement can take some time hypothesise that the longer you run, the to sink in. The relief is huge. But then emptiness more epic the challenge, the bigger and more creeps in. L aggressive that Black Dog is that comes skulking “Often on these big runs you are away around as you return to regular life post overseas in an exotic place in this little bubble adventure. and it feels like the rest of the world doesn’t exist Is this normal? Do we have to expect there and what you have achieved feels huge and only will be a period of emotional flatness afterwards? the people there can really understand. That Is there something we can do to limit the comradeship is often something very special. fallout so that to some extent we can contain I can only imagine soldiers must feel a similar the emotional pendulum within the running thing (only we are not getting shot at!). experience only? Shouldn’t we be on a high after “No-one at home gets what you have been completion, having successfully knocked off a through, no one feels the change you have goal that cost us so dearly in hours and days and gone through. As a woman, my hormones weeks of training and pain throughout the run? can be quite out of balance from the extreme Who better to get the answers from than effort, with adrenalin and cortisol going some of the trail running community’s most through the roof and causing other hormone experienced? Runners that have pushed levels to drop and making me grumpy, short themselves beyond what most would tempered and depressed. The body also starts contemplate and have lived first hand enormous to realise it’s no longer in danger and starts comedowns, many times over. the actual recovery phase and that makes you Arguably one of New Zealand’s most feel lethargic and worse.” accomplished ultra runners, Lisa Tamati, says Lisa stresses the importance of giving your body horrific bouts of depression have often curtailed >>

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<< “When you cross the finish line of an ultra trained your guts out for a one single event. An time to recover without beginning training too (or any run, even training) you have reached a event that takes absolute mental and physical soon. She also likes to use the mantra “This too new peak. You have possibly pushed or allowed toughness to get through. The focus that you shall pass” and as things improve mentally you yourself to go through some boundaries that had on this one event is incredible. It saps your can then begin to focus on your next challenge. you thought existed and can now see what you body of all its resources physically and mentally. As a lawyer-turned-financial advisor who also can really do. It is very ‘normal’ for runners to Now you’ve finished you have nothing, no goal, holds down a public speaking career, Victorian then feel a few days later that they have slid back no focus, nothing. You’ve celebrated and bragged adventure runner Samantha Gash takes a the down into a valley somewhere and are not sure to your mates for a few days and your adrenalin pragmatic approach of an organised personality why. This is purely because of their vision and has run out. Your body is in repair. You ‘crash’ to ward off to any dip in mental state.H owever, what they think they are seeing. physically and mentally. she admits to experiencing her share of lows “For me, I look at every run or race as just the “Knowing this now, I approach my mental and having completed the epic 4 Deserts multiday next part of the trail up a mountain. Sure I can physical recovery after an event with a focus on: series, the 222km single stage La Ultra The High train and put a lot of energy into a big event but 1) nutrition; 2) exercising with a mate; 3) and a record breaking single stage crossing of when I cross the line it was still an event that is sleeping; 4) establishing new goals or a focus; the Simpson Desert. taking me towards another. and 5) simply accepting that I have ‘Come Down “I find thatI get this psychological dip after “When a runner looks at a race as the finish Tuesday’ and riding it out. expeditions or races that require complex line, they send energy, focus and vision no “The first and perhaps the most important logistical preparation and immense mental focus further than this point. When they get there, thing to do directly after completing a race is to prior to the event in addition to during it,” says they have grown in many ways but feel they now dial in your nutritional needs,” advises Shona. Gash. “I also tend to feel that ‘race/adventure need something else. What I recommend is set “Hydrate as soon as you finish: two litres in the withdrawal’ when I have achieved a certain goal yourself a vision for a particular race [or run] next two hours after finishing.G lucose - have with the collaboration of others. and ask yourself what it will mean when you a few Jelly Beans handy to give your brain the “The tendency is to stack another goal complete it? What will it mean you can do next? instant fuel it needs. Recovery Mix made up immediately afterwards in an attempt to When you do cross the line, take a day or two to from 4 parts carbs, 1 part protein. I like Hammer overcome that slight feeling of emptiness. look back at what you did to achieve this - The Recoverite, but grab a chocolate milk if that’s Although I have a five-year plan of races/ Journey. Who supported you? Give a little bit of easier. You need to drink this WITHIN the first adventures that I am working towards, I now energy back to those that gave to you. hour of finishing exercise. try and embrace every emotion after a race and “If you don’t have another race for a while, “About 2-3 hours after your event, get a solid spend time reflecting on what that experience enjoy what running has given you in many other meal into you like Burgers and Chips or a Pizza. taught me. areas of your life. One great thing about learning Reward yourself and ENJOY the sinful carbs,” “Most importantly, you need rest - mentally to run well, is your ability to focus great energy. says Shona. “If you want to celebrate with a beer and physically. It is easy to neglect what toll When you have no races planned, focus this in or champagne go for it, you’ve more than earned you put your mind and body through. Then quality ways.” it.” when you get back to training and planning you Yes, Coops is the original Running Buddha, According to Dr. Joan Steidinger, a licensed are fully recharged and ready to put all of your but his proof is in his race pudding as a psychologist and certified consultant in sports energies into it. consistent top five performer on the uber- psychology, post-race let downs arrive when you Widely regarded for his philosophical competitive trails of Europe. least expect it even when you do all the “right” approach to running and to life in general, Ultra running gun, Shona Stevenson, has things. New South Wales-based runner, Matt Cooper shown her mettle on trail time and again, but “Ultrarunning can increase beta-endorphins is perhaps the master of maintaining positive admits the mental toughness she relies on in the (natural opiates in brain that contribute to energy and suffers little down time. wilderness sometimes deserts her once her race positive feelings) and the neurotransmitters “I really don’t get the post event blues, is over. Now an experienced competitor, she has serotonin and norepinephrine that contribute however I can certainly understand why it developed coping strategies. to feeling good,” says Dr Steidinger. “All those happens. The way I would explain it is, as a “I used to suffer terribly from the postU ltra endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain runner - what you see (or feel) is what you get, Blues. It use to hit me badly on what I call that act as signals kept pushing you through but…not what is ‘real’. ‘Come Down Tuesday,” says Shona. “You’ve >>

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YOU DON’T “ RACEIT “ YOU << each mile begin to descend in their activity and SURVIVEIT let you down following the end of a race. When they descend too quickly, you may struggle after WWW.NORTHBURN100.CO.NZ 100miles with feeling little pleasure, lacking motivation, grappling with fatigue, combatting sleep 8000m VERTICAL GAIN problems, and/or experiencing difficulties with concentration and focus.” Dr Steidinger says that research indicates that an individual who regards their race time as disappointing may be more likely to experience + 100km + 50km post race depression. However, although there are numerous studies on the positive effects + 21km half marathon of running, there is little to no research on post race depression for ultrarunners or even marathoners. + 5-10km night run “Psychologically speaking, post race depression occurs when the major race/event is done and one is either disappointed in + 1.5km kids’ fun run themselves or asks the question ‘What’s next?’,” says Steidinger. “After months of training, the race is over and the let down occurs. Ultrarunners may feel an empty spot unless they’ve lined up other races, 22-23 MARCH activities or even more challenging work. The training (physical) and value (psychological) that you place upon a race often affects your post race experience. If you’ve not pre-planned ways to reward yourself in some way at the 2013 completion of the race, this will contribute to your experience of the “Black Dog” at your OTAGO, NEW ZEALAND doorstep.” “Reward and pre-plan are the two best pieces of advice that I can offer. I ’m big on rewards with my athletes, since each time that you complete an ultra you need to congratulate yourself in some form. Rewards might include such activities as spending time with friends, going out to your favorite restaurant, reading a good book, going out dancing, seeing a movie... the things that quite often training for an ultra keeps you from enjoying,” says Steidinger. It is clear that a psychological or emotional ‘dip’ after a big challenge is to be expected. It is NEED the SCIENCE… how we manage our physical state and mental Dr. Joan Steidinger is a licensed psychologist, sport psychologist, outlook both during and after the event that can Certified Consultant by the Association of Applied Sports psychology put us in the best (or worst) position for when and on the USOC Registry of Sports Psychology. She specialises in sports the Black Dog comes sniffing at our door, as and peak performance psychology. www.powerzonephd.com though it smelled our achievement one hundred Shaun Brewster is a Sports Musculoskeletal Therapist and an Exercise miles away. Physiologist and principal of Brewster’s Running www.brewstersrunning.com. Wine and movie, anyone? I’ve just finished a Keep an eye out on www.trailrunmag.com for strength and conditioning miler… for trail running articles by Shaun. Northburn video SCAN or CLICK to WATCH 78 feature

beyond the wire

You think your run was ‘on the edge’? You got nuthin’ on Jeremiah Smith whose forays past the fence line and on to scorched earth risk a bullet or worse. That’s trail running in Afghanistan for you…

story + photograpy: Jeremiah Smith

t’s the end of another stressful grazing his goats and sheep in the target area. struggle adds to the stress of operations for me day somewhere in Afghanistan, The image cracks me up as we run by – the personally and greatly increases my need to get my second combat tour here, Army shooting range nestled right up next to out and run to unwind. and I’m about to abandon my an Afghan version of Brigadoon. Who in their From the range we turn clockwise onto the Ico mbat gear – boots, body armor right mind came up with this layout? perimeter road. Up-armored Humvee’s and and M-4 carbine rifle – for running Now, I should give a disclaimer of sorts at Romanian armored personnel carriers patrol shoes, shorts and a t-shirt. I’ll this point… the perimeter of the FOB from this sketchy hide my M-4 under my pillow and I’m a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, line of doubletrack. Within an armored go taunt every Taliban, Al Qaeda a Chief Warrant Officer, andI live a conflicting vehicle it’s one thing, running it in shorts and and anti-coalition fighter around life. I abhor the wastefulness of modern t-shirt is another thing all together. There with nothing between them and technology and a few aspects of the American is nothing between you and no-man’s land me but, at most, a triple strand of lifestyle I go to war to protect (whatever but a chain-link fence (some of the time) and concertina wire. Even here, on that means and however that may or may haphazardly strung concertina wire (most of a forgotten Forward Operating not actually work). The over-consumption, the time). Within the FOB, behind the security Base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan, commercialism, immediate-gratification and of the perimeter fence, the guard towers, you’ve got to get out and hit the something-for-nothing aspects of the great concrete slabs and eight foot high dirt-filled trails, right? nation I belong to turn my stomach. I want barriers, we wear our combat gear, carry our to be a small-time subsistence farmer in the weapons and play war. When we cross the I grab my roommate and running buddy, country, enjoy the out-of-doors and take no wire on combat missions, in the air or on the Seth. If one of those bad guys are going to do more than I need while trying to give back ground, we wear our body armor, helmets, and me in, I want a witness. That and he’s perfectly more at the same time. That’s the ‘hippie’ carry our weapons locked and loaded, ready stoic. If I want to talk, he’ll listen; if I don’t, inside of me I have to suppress while I continue to fire in an instant. These are hard and fast he’ll run with me just the same. Of course my highly-technical, precious-resource- rules in combat. But that all gets set aside there’s safety in numbers too. If someone consuming Army career. I love the country for a few miles most days; no one questions does take pot shots, the odds of them aiming of Afghanistan and see its people as great breaking those rules and going for a jog around specifically at you decrease substantially when though oft misunderstood. I wish I was able the perimeter road, especially after sitting you have a running buddy alongside. to spend time on the ground helping some uncomfortably in the cockpit of your helicopter We lean forward and begin our run near the small village rise above the chaos of the last for eight hours or more. firing range. No one’s here tonight shooting several decades, but I can’t. My job right now Seth and I are running clockwise for a M-4s, Kalashnikovs or RPGs and that’s good is to fly helicopters, not conduct myself as an good reason – we want to get past the burn because a shepherd from the adjacent village is international humanitarian. That internal >>

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<< creeping closer to the wire, telling each other, been going on for months. Seth and I, on the pit early in the run. This FOB is too small I’m sure, to act natural. A couple have bolos and other hand, nearly jump out of our skin and Guard tower overlooking for an incinerator so countless scraps of swing them bravely over their heads hurling reflexively look for cover. Of course there is the LZ and the wire food, paper and plastic from the chow hall, rocks harmlessly, for the most part, into empty no cover; we have no weapons, no body armor refuse from base construction, dunnage from sections of the FOB. Seth and I are coming up or even our uniforms. We keep running. ammunition, and, occasionally, though not on a rickety guard tower with a PKM machine The war’s still going on and there’s no sense always accidentally, live ammunition all go into gun sticking out of an opening above a stack of stopping at this point. the pit. The pit is self-sustaining, constantly sandbags and I’m wondering what the guards are What a way to start a nice evening jaunt to burning, spewing toxic black smoke into the going to do about these kids. unwind after a long day’s work! Lungs burning air. Sure, the steady Afghan wind diffuses it, I find out quite surprisingly that the from the burn pit, ears ringing from the but it diffuses it across the FOB and not so Romanian guards have a sense of humor and machine gun fire, we continue as the road takes gently into our lungs. I pull my shirt over my timing only capable in a war zone. They see a big turn down a loose gravel hill. Unburned face and breathe shallowly until we’re past. I the limited threat posed by the kids outside the garbage billows up and out of the burn pit and can’t help but wonder if there was a scene like wire and know they have to disperse them, but gets caught in the fence here. It’s despicable. this in Dante’s Inferno. there’s no rush. It’s not like the kids can storm I’ve had the crazy idea of organising a group W e’re almost past when Pop… Whizz! Pop… the wire and bum-rush the guard tower with a to clean it up but there are two faults to that Whizz! A couple rounds cook off in the pit. couple rocks flung from a bolo. The guards also noble idea: 1) the burn pit would just release We flinch ever so slightly. It might hurt, but it have to be able to see Seth and I making our way more trash to accumulate in the same spot wouldn’t be the same as if the rounds were shot between them and the wire. With all the time and 2) there was a known enemy observation out of a rifle. A few strides later I have second in the world sitting in that tower, they wait until point on a nearby hill overlooking this part of thoughts. Maybe that pop and whizz wasn’t the moment we are between them, the wire, the FOB. The two guard towers facing this from the burn pit, but from somewhere outside and the Afghan kids with the bolos to let loose direction, though capable of dispersing gangs of the wire? Oh, well. We keep running. a ten-round burst from their machine gun into kids with bolos, would do little good if the day A classic David and Goliath scenario is playing the empty desert... Bap! Bap! Bap! Bap! of the cleanup project someone decided to lob out outside the wire for us, typical for this time They don’t shoot to kill, but to scare the man- a grenade over the wire. Instead, when we pass of day. A group of Afghan kids have formed a dresses off the Afghan kids and the piss out of this spot, I think of it as a noble yet misplaced gang in the setting sun and have come to taunt Seth and I. The kids scatter, well-rehearsed by idea and focus instead on the ankle-busting the Romanians in the guard towers. They’re this point as their game with the guards has gravel on the downhill. No need to make yourself an easy target by taking a break along the way worrying about trash. We turn onto my favorite stretch of the loop. When flying, we often take off from the they wait until the FOB in this direction, jockeying for position with Russian Mi-17 helicopters and others stopping in for fuel. From the LZ, you pick moment we are between your helicopter up to a hover, turn towards the south and bring in the power slowly, gently pushing the cyclic forward to gain speed. The them, the wire, and the >> Afghan kids ... let loose a ten-round burst ... Bap! Bap! Bap! Bap!”

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<< by one, they begin to peel off. They’re smart the majority of the FOB and exploded upon ground drops away as you depart, the perimeter enough to avoid the main gate just past the contact, one with a Romanian tent, the other trail underneath the helicopter at this point. A next steep descent. The Jordanians at the gate, with my housing unit. The RPG exploded, small mud hut village full of chickens, goats, fearful of the raged dogs, are quick to offer a sending shrapnel through the window and wall The feral dogs loved running and children lies just outside the wire here. I boot or worse if they stray too close. of one of our guy’s rooms. The concussion with us and got a little too try to fly friendly, gaining altitude quickly or With the dogs gone, we watch our step on rocked us all out of sleep. comfortable on the LZ at least not flying directly over their homes, this, the steepest descent of the loop. There “Jerry?” was Seth’s quiet response to the but, like the quant village near the shooting are loose, grapefruit sized rocks dying to make attack (perfectly disproportionate to the range, we haven’t made friends with everyone you hyper-extend a knee or roll an ankle. We explosion that just took place a few short feet here either. You don’t see it during the day, shorten our pace, pick up our feet and plant away) as machine gun fire was exchanged by but at night you occasionally catch the sight them firmly on the trip down. At the base of the guard towers and the assailants trying to of tracer fire coming from somewhere below the hill is the main entrance with guard towers storm the gate. as a disgruntled villager takes a shot at the on both sides. A mixed convoy of Romanian “Yeah, I’m alright,” was my reply. Truth was, helicopters. We don’t shoot back to avoid and U.S. vehicles is returning, clearing their getting excited and running to a bunker wasn’t collateral damage. They aren’t that accurate mounted weapons as they enter the base. going to make a difference. No one was injured anyhow, so there is no need to push the issue The front gate, with its winding entrance, on our side, just a little shaken up, and it was, (as long as they keep missing). barricades and check points was the focal point after all, the middle of the night. With another Like I said, the stretch between the FOB and of a recent coordinated attack on the FOB. The long day ahead of me working on and flying this village is my favorite. Not because of the assailants, be they Taliban, al Qaeda or merely helicopters, coordinated attack on the base or village or the joy I get taking off from the top anti-coalition (a rose by any other name would not, I had to get some sleep. So I did. of the LZ, but because of the pack of wild dogs smell as sweet), simultaneously fired twoRPG s After winding through the incoming convoy that often joins us on the run at this point. at the front guard towers. Fortunately for the at the main gate, we pass a beat up conex with They greet us with the unyielding enthusiasm Romanian guards, they missed. Unfortunately a tarp rigged canopy-like over the opening. only a cast-off, feral Afghan mutt desperate to for those of us asleep on the other side of display his loyalty can muster. They squeeze the FOB, the RPGs flew past the towers, over >> Trying to ‘fly friendly’ over through gaps under the fence, ripping off fur the neighboring village and tearing ears on the concertina wire in an effort to join us. Some of them have names like Mary and Star Fox; others are nameless shaggy waifs of skin and bone. They run with us, side by side, pushing us along a series of The RPG exploded, winding, hilly turns. We are part of the pack, wild canine brothers, as if we’ve all done this a thousand times before. The dogs know their sending shrapnel through place though, even here with us. They aren’t welcome everywhere on the FOB and, one the window and wall of one of our guy’s rooms”

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<< singletrack that crisscross every mountain here. face in ablution, preparing for evening prayer. I t’s a makeshift Afghan store, sometimes open Until then… His Romanian escort stands patiently nearby daily, sometimes not. My Afghan friend from Seth and I begin a climb taking us away from with a Kalashnikov over his shoulder. He town, Mohebuela, runs the shop selling bootleg the front gate and Mohebuela’s ramshackle shrugs when I make eye contact as if to say, DVD’s, counterfeit Benchmade knives, stale store. It’s a good climb. The sun is creeping “don’t ask me, I hate my job.” It’s an odd sight cigarettes and anything else the Romanians, closer to the horizon past more grazing sheep and I can’t figure out why they chose this spot Jordanians, U.S. or otherwise will buy. If and goats and in the cool, crisp mountain air, to break for prayer. Then, as Seth and I jump you want something else, just ask and he can it’s beautiful. I’m tempted to wave and shout, over the creek, I see why. The truck is dumping probably get it. “hello!” to the two shepherds standing watch a load of raw sewage into the runoff creek, I ask Mohebuela about Afghan life. He over the animals, but I resist the urge. I wish downstream from the Afghan performing tells me about Ramadan, I tell him about “winning” this war was as simple as exchanging ablution. I decide not to read into it… Thanksgiving; he’s confused when I bring up happy and hopeful greetings on the side of We round the last corner and approach the Halloween. Mohebuela tells me he’s happy that a mountain… The shepherds lean on their firing range from the opposite direction, almost his mother will choose a bride for him, that it walking sticks and stare at us running by. completing the two-mile loop around the makes everything so much simpler. He also Both parties – the shepherds and us – assuming FOB and I find it hasn’t been quite enough to invites me downtown to the local bazaar. “You much and knowing little about the other. really burn off the day’s stressors. It’s almost a “ Share my passion” can wear this jeans and shirts,” he tells me, A unique smell greets us as the trail descends little sad… I don’t want to go back to wearing indicating the Western apparel he’s wearing. to the lowest point around the perimeter. my combat gear and toting my M-4 around; “This is okay. You can walk around like this,” Runoff from the showers and latrines makes I like shorts and a t-shirt in the cool Afghan he insists. I don’t disagree, but he changes back a grey water creek spilling underneath the mountain air, risky as it may be. into his traditional Afghan man-dress when fence here. Someone has planted melons and “Wanna make another lap?” I ask Seth. He he goes home so I’m skeptical. It’s also in stark tomatoes in the damp, well-fertilized soil next remains stoic but I see him gauge the sun contradiction to what Alam Khan, another local to the runoff. No one knows if it was some on the horizon and do the math in his head, friend who works in the chow hall, tells me. Afghan interpreters, Jordanians or a country thinking the same question as me. Is it worth

boy from the U.S. looking for a piece of home. the risk? He says nothing in reply but his Kashiwakura Yosuke et pascal tournaire photographies “You wouldn’t leave with your head on,” Alam Khan is quick to reply when I ask him. Parked by the creek – how it got back there concurrence is clear. We lean forward towards © I tend to side with Alam Khan on this one. I is beyond me – is a jingle truck. The truck is the burn pit, pull our shirts over our faces and won’t be walking around downtown dressed painted with red poppies and other traditional squeeze in another lap before calling it a night. like an American during this combat tour. I do Afghan motifs, the bumpers and rails littered The perimeter trail, with all the exposure hope that one day I will be able to return as a with dangling chains and tiny bells. The driver, to both good and bad, will always be worth civilian and run, free and safe, on the endless a local Afghan, is washing his feet, hands and running one more time. ésope chamonix - atelier “When I grow-up, I want to be a I do hope that one day Finisher !...” The North Face® Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc®, I will be able to return is a celebration born from the desire to share the passion as a civilian and run, for Trail-running, where there are 6000 trailer runners at the start of one of the 4 races, supported by their family, friends, volunteers and free and safe, on the inhabitants of the Pays du Mont-Blanc.

endless singletrack August 26th – September 1st 2013 www.ultratrailmb.com www.ultratrail.tv that crisscross every The Author, more than More than a sporting event, a true human adventure to be shared… ready for a run at the end of the day mountain here”

86 edsfeatureword Chris Ord // Australian Editor Manaslu Madness WORDS: Chris Ord IMAGES: Chris Ord, Richard Bull, George Chong

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know what it feels like to your helplessness, your weakness. be abused. I have been beaten All you can see in the dark is a massive up, physically, mentally and mountain range sharply silhouetted by a starry emotionally. Bruised and broken sky. Someone stops – a runner who happens to within an inch of my life. My to be a doctor – and hands you some anti- being stripped back to an empty nausea pills. You smell something other than shell. I have been brutalised. And the caustic waft of last night’s partly digested all because I took up the sport of garlic soup: it’s a donkey passing wind. And the trail running. moment gets more ridiculous. To be fair, it started out fairly farcical in It’s a slippery slope. First you tentatively tread many respects. along a ‘trail’, coaxed to the dirty side by a five I entered the Manaslu Mountain Trail Race kilometre charity fun run in a neighbourhood without reading too much into the details. park giving a poor rendition of ‘nature’. Within Perhaps one should when flying off to Nepal months you’re upping the distances and – a country notorious for steep landscapes, straying further from the concrete jungle and altitude sickness and giardia – to go running. deeper into the real thing. I should have baulked at the fact that I’d be It’s all a bucket of muddy fun until suddenly running for seven days straight, something I’d you find yourself collapsed on hands and knees never imagined let alone attempted. That’s under a pitch black sky on a frozen path, five not including the two-day trek in and out, to thousand metres up a Himalayan mountain. and from the start and finish lines. Maybe the You’re desperately throwing up whatever alien 212km run distance should have rung some has gestated inside you. Your brain feels like kind of warning bells. Nope. I just looked at the mush, your lungs burn from lack of oxygen, pretty pictures of Manaslu, the world’s eighth you’re sure you have frostbitten fingers. You highest mountain at 8156 metres, crowned in wretch once again and then wonder: am I glistening white snow, backed by a pristine blue having fun yet? Is this the adventure I was sky and thought: wow that’s beautiful! It’d be after? nice to run with that view on my shoulder. Sign In a way, yes, it is. Hurting yourself in the me up. bosom of the wildest reaches of the planet I wasn’t the only fool. represents a cathartic process. That and it On the rickety bus powered by dust and I makes you laugh at inappropriate moments. goat droppings, which jolted us towards the There you are on a trail, in air offering half trailhead a day’s rollercoaster ride away from the oxygen your lungs would usually suck up Kathmandu, I met Scottish trio Fran, Michael under burden. The reserves that usually power and Fiona. They, too, hadn’t quite registered your legs forward are beyond empty, drained that in coming days we’d have to climb the by the ten minute vomiting session; drained equivalent of eight vertical kilometres. None by days of diarrhea; belittled by a caloric intake were trail runners. None had run a marathon barely two thirds of what any nutritionist (our day number three challenge). None had would advise when running for seven days run two days back to back, let alone seven. And straight at altitude. none had been to altitude before. The closest But in that moment, when you’re staring at they’d come to anything athletic was vicariously spew-splattered rock an inch from your face, through friend number four, Brit Jade, who crumpled on the earth, the strangest thing had done an Iron(wo)man event and a handful happens: you smile. of runs. She was the “sporty one”, they said. You laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. At >>

90 91 feature Manaslu Madness Manaslu Madness feature

<< the favourite – even in preference to world night on trail – couldn’t offer solace enough She was also responsible for enticing them to champions – they knew that he was so fast and so it was that those three competitors believe that Manaslu was within their grasp. that he would have time to stop and mark the were promptly whisked off by an evacuation That belief was almost fatal. course as he ran. helicopter at first light, blessed on their While they were new to the idea of plodding And so it was. Each morning we would be homeward journey by bemused monks. through wild Mother Nature, I’m brash enough up before the sun rose high enough to start Says Sputnik: “The race medic told me that to call myself, at least recreationally, a trail cracking ice on the trail. A breakfast of chapatis the decision to continue or not was up to me runner. And for the first time ever, I even and noodles, sometimes eggs, some local but that he thought I was suffering from the trained. Not enough, but I whacked out a good chia (milk tea) and a bell would be rung. Off early effects of altitude sickness and that if I 50-60km on my local singletrack every week, Upendra and his spray can would disappear continued he judged that I would have a 50/50 including a few little inclines and the odd leaving the rest of us to slowly spread out on chance of living or dying and that he would freezing night run. Most coaches would suggest trail, trying to run - many hobbling as soon as take no responsibility. Tough call. I chose life a weekly mileage double that for adequate day two - our way to another small mountain and a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu.” preparation. And of course, my training was all village anywhere from 18km to 42km further Another Aussie, Andrew, was the next to test undertaken at sea level where you’re talking the into the Himalayas. his insurance policy and take the whirlybird full dollop of O2, not the 45% depleted gulps of Part of the attraction of this race was the home, airlifted down in a state of absolute air giving everyone light heads and heavy legs adventure element. It was a first edition being delirium. The race medic, who was also up on 5200 metre mountain passes. run by a first time race director. To me that running as a competitor, explained that there At the other end of the ridiculous scale were meant – combined with the fact that it was had been a rabid virus striking down locals those who filled the pointy end of the 39-strong in remote Nepal – something was certain to and visitors alike all along the trail, one serious field:L izzie Hawker is a world champion ultra go wrong. It was just a matter of when and to enough to warrant immediate hospitalization runner, having won the famous 160km Ultra whom. for Andrew. Four down. Trail du Mont Blanc five times. Holly Rush is First up, it was a fellow Australian ultra The following day scalped competitors a British Commonwealth Games Marathoner. runner called Sputnik, an English Gurhka five and six. Entering high camp, perched Then there’s the trio of North Americans who soldier and one of the Scottish mob, Fran, just below the high pass at 4900 metres, two between them have racked up hundreds of who felt the brutal wrath of the course. A day runners – Jane and her Scotswoman mate adventure and extreme endurance races. But spent pumping legs up a near vertical climb, Fiona – came in babbling nonsensicals and we all knew who the race director really had switchback after switchback, took its toll. With barely conscious. his money on: local Nepali runner Upendra runners still on trail after dark, a search party Almost certainly suffering from life- Sunuwar. was sent out only to find grown men crying on threatening High Altitude Pulmonary and The clue was in the handing to Upendra trail. Even a serene monastery nestled below Cerebral Edema, Jade and Fiona were evacuated of a can of pink spray paint. Not only was he a 6000-metre peak – our home for the third >>

92 93 feature Manaslu Madness Manaslu Madness feature

TOP FIVE NEPALI TRAIL RUNS 1) Manaslu Mountain Trace Race 9 November 2013 212km, 7 days 2) Everest Skyrace 18 Oct 2013 360km, 11 days 3) The Himalaya Ring March-May 2014 2209km, 51-70 days 4) Mustang Trail Race April/May 2014 277km, 8 days 5) Great Himalaya Trail April-May 2016 1600km, 40+days Information and further links to all events can be found at www.trailrunningnepal.org/events/

94 95 feature Manaslu Madness Manaslu Madness feature

<< hadn’t even begun. This was a non-competitive down the mountain while the remaining 33 16km trek section, the Race Director deeming runners took on the high pass hurdle. For the the pass too dangerous to run (altitude issues) Scottish clan things didn’t look good as their “and besides, I want everyone to stop and final foot soldier, Mike, was also looking like admire the view – if they were running, they taking the airlift option. At the final decisive wouldn’t do that.” moment he found a reserve of Braveheart blood So, nine hours later (yes, my average pace and opted to make for the pass. On a donkey. was 1.8km/h, welcome to the world of extreme I think it was the very same donkey that multi-day trail running) I reached the ‘start’ line passed wind while I hurled my guts. for the event’s final 20km dash. Which brings us back to my own Quitsville Thing is, once I started running down the moment. That one where I was wondering why valley, some of the world’s highest mountains I thought a multi day adventure run would be flashing at me through stands of forest giants, I a good idea. But there’s no use laying in vomit started to feel good. I zoned in on the technical all day musing on the topic and so eventually I terrain. I landed feet precisely. I was having fun. Video got up. I ran. I was even running again. Check out a short film of Okay, that’s a lie. I walked. I trudged. I This was the miracle of the trail. I’d gone the Manaslu Trail Race at stopped a lot. through hell. There was scientifically zero vimeo.com/69691848 But I kept going, which, I learned, is the real energy in my cells. Barely hours ago my mind Manaslu Trail Race is on was a mess, my body broken. ‘sport’ in this game. It’s not so much about the again 9-22 November. skill. Nor to a degree the fitness. It’s about the Yet there I was burning that trail up, getting www.manaslutrailrace.org mind and the pig headedness to keep putting my money’s worth of Ying after suffering a one foot in front of the other. fair whack of trail running Yang. Mind you, Hours later, I reached the ice-bathed 5200m I’m addicted to both. It’s what they call the high pass. With barely enough energy or Multiday Madness. will to appreciate the achievement, I quickly continued trudging down the flip side. This article first appeared in Men’s Fitness Funny thing is, at this point the day’s running Magazine.

96 97 edsfeatureword Chris Ord // Australian Editor

Rhythm of the trail

Does the secret to trail running lie locked in the theory of a little known (to most trail runners) German physicist? Garry Dagg believes so…

story: gary Dagg illustration: Jordan cole

that moves us. We are moving machines, well adapted to the process of covering the earth’s surface with efficient ease relative to other species. Think of a dingo spotted out on a long wander through the desert scrub, head lolling, tongue hanging out, stopping regularly under trees to reduce body heat. Homo sapiens’ sweat physicist, his law states that events of short mechanism allows us to glide longer than that. duration tend to be overestimated, while those Or consider the elephants of the Okavango that are longer get underestimated. There is no Delta, driven by the end of the dry season to reference to Karl Von Vierordt ever running the trails around 19th century Karlsruhe but while hankfully, as trail runners, walk hundreds of kilometres to find water, his treatise relates mostly to mundane events we don’t have to remember losing family members to exhaustion along and has been applied to music, there is plenty too many rules. Pity the lycra the way. Not so us people whose relatively to see in his law for running. clad cyclist whose daily lean bipedal structure means covering vast T According to Vierordt and his experiments effort is pockmarked with keeping distances costs us relatively little in biological on a range of variants, the perfect human left, giving way and angling terms. Oddly, when it comes to endurance, rhythm is somewhere around 94-96 beats per sideways while waiting for green humans are in fact more like the Arctic Tern, minute. Anything under this and people will to ignite on the traffic light. a 35cm bird who traverses the globe every be prone to speed it up, while anything over Swimmers are the same, bound by year from top to bottom, putting in up it and the tendency becomes trying to slow the regulations of their parking to 20000 kilometres of wing time. Their things down. The correlation to running? Well lot and the council by- laws of metabolic physiology is similar to ours as they minimalist running style dictates that our their pool or beach. Not so the rely on finding a particular speed and efficiency, perfect cadence, the number of steps which trail runner who dons shoes the one that relies on fat as a fuel source and provides the most efficient stride and returns and shorts and heads out into allows them to hold that steady speed for days the bush free to run as far long, on end. The ultra-trail runner knows this >> , short, wide or as looped as we groove, this spot in the human rhythm where wish, bound only by the calorific human endurance sits. and hydration needs of our body. It is not an easy place to find, this long lasting migratory pace, especially if one is But while not many manmade laws apply prone to running in a group, or thinking about to us, we are as vulnerable to laws of nature, an up-coming race and driven by the need to physics and humanity as any others. In improve splits and anaerobic pace. It is in fact searching for that blissful rhythm, that place in a rhythm governed by a law, one that runners our running where all seems to flow and time know little about and won’t appear on a wrist seems suspended there is one law in particular top computer or as a smartphone app. This is Vierordt’s law. To paraphrase the German

98 99 feature Trail Rhythms Trail Rhythms feature

weight is combining with gravity to give you back. This has been the joy of returning to the minimalist running of childhood for many, that the heavy plodding is gone and a lighter, barer sole makes you run lighter and swifter of foot. << (Of course trail running is not the only the most energy to our muscles, is 180 steps place that higher cadence has become more per minute, 90 steps per leg. beneficial. It was not so long ago that a brash There is no doubting that a faster turnover cyclist came along with a fast pedal turnover of leg muscles leads to a more efficient less and spun his way to seven Tours de France. injury prone runner. Increasing the rapidity That feat launched an era of spin classes and of your foot strike means far less impact per small chainring pedalling as cyclists everywhere landing, which, over the course of an average tried to find the magic formula that Armstrong training week and year, can add up to taking was pedalling. The secret was not in fact in the tons of excess weight off your joints.T here is high cadence.) later and you know that Vierordt was on the also an ease to running with a high turnover, a Vierordt’s law has many other applications, money. Inversely, the memories of long runs lightness that makes changing speeds effortless ones that may not be so favourable to the are peppered with instances where numbers and allows you to skip easier over and around theory that we are a running animal. Many on a map mean nothing until you are actually obstacles. The biggest advantage though, is scientists and theorists hold that while we there running out the distance. Many a runner avoiding the perils of overstriding. Not only certainly can run well, we are in fact a walking has fallen into the trap of thinking, ahh it’s only does overstriding open you up to an array animal, and that bipedalism helped us most a two hour section through there, shouldn’t be of injuries as it places your feet, ankles and by allowing us to walk in tribal groups across a problem, or a 20 kilometre climb, shouldn’t be knees in the wrong position just when they are vast distances and live nomadic lives. Vierordt’s too bad. Later on while those words are heavily about to undergo their heaviest impact, but it law of 96 beats per minute fits in nicely with rued and the runner is grovelling, watching also anulls the energy returning benefit that this as a rapidly walking human will hold a seconds pass by like glacial drift, you have fallen the arch of the foot allows. The right stride heart rate sitting somewhere in the mid-90s. into the trap of Vierordt’s law again, and the length allows a fore or mid-foot strike which The debate between us being better suited to underestimation of long time. allows the 27 bones of the foot to compress running or walking is far from complete and, as Where does that leave us in relation to a down like a spring. Think of your seventy or usual, the truth will be found to lie somewhere centuries old German physicist and his 96 beats so kilograms descending down onto your arch in between the fanatics of either side. Those per minute? The long distance trail runner and you can make a mental picture of the arguing that we are running beasts will point knows that to sustain themselves through a energy rebounding, aiding you in the lifting to the nuchal ligament which holds our head long outing, a low heart rate which puts the phase of your step and propelling you down steady aboard the neck, an adaptation extant body in the fat burning zone is the only way the trail. Increase the rhythm of your run and only in running animals like horses and absent to run. Vierordt’s principle is that our bodies you increase the energy return that your body in foraging walkers like pigs and chimps, and mind both combine to bring us back to proving our running design. But there is also a natural rhythm, a place that feels right and plenty of research that points to the damaging whole. As such, when we are travelling faster effects too much long distance running can than that pace should be, our systems try to have on the heart and structures of our body slow us down, while if we are meandering too while there are clear benefits to long flowing slowly, the opposite happens and energies go walks. So perhaps we are a walking species, well into speeding us up. This is the art of the trail adapted to running when we need and using it runner. It may be a more rapid foot strike, or as a survival tool, for the 96bpm argument fits finding the heart rate that allows you to glide in well. over single track all morning, but the art is The best use for Vierordt’s law, however, in allowing your body to find its rhythm. If lies in what it tells us about time perception, Vierordt’s law teaches us anything it is that one that runners are all too familiar with. He we should be guided by intuition and let our managed to find the universal experience bodies and mind find the equilibrium. that short intervals of time tend to be overestimated while longer intervals on average are underestimated. What does this look like on a trail? Easy. “How far to the next water stop.” “Just up here, honestly, I remember it, it’s kind of just over this hill.” Half an hour

100 101 RANT Column // Rich’s Rant PHOTOGRAPHY: Jessica Parker - White Spark Photography

You’re all off your face, or you should be, argues adventure runner Richard Bowles.

Oh, you’re off Facebook for a really suits all that scree running you talk What I’m getting at is that statistics say moment? What - you’re actually about all the time…” that the average person spends between out running? That would make What’s happening to trail running in 7-11 hours per month across social media …… a change, because some of you Australia, a sport grown organically by a platforms. Another study showed that in 2011, FaceFace ooffff so- called trail runners belong community of people partly for the reason of Australians spent 14 minutes out of every in mother’s meetings, sipping tea leaving the ego driven world of track and road hour online using social networks – and that and swapping cupcake recipes, running behind. It has roots in running that was just on fixed line internet. Add to that all crapping on about your latest fuels the spirit, brings people together with the time on your mobile device (phone, tablet handbags and fad diets (without the sole purpose of just finishing something etc) – apparently another 12 hours a week ever committing to them) all the magical…together. And not always putting it according to a Telstra report in February. while bitching about everybody up on a noticeboard of any social kind. That screams to me whole days of trail else in the world. Everybody’s going head-to-head and it’s not adventures lost to the digital wilderness just in the latest trail race, it’s on the web! rather than the real thing. Let’s talk about something important. Get It’s time to log out of your profile and do Further, there’s more you can do than off social media. Facebook and the like are, what’s important: put shoes on and run. Prove just running the single track (or is there?) for most of you, for promoting something what you say you are (or your Facebook feed when you’re a ‘real’ (as opposed to cyber) you’re not bloody doing. Yep, bitching about, claims you are). trail runner. Tell me you don’t have time to talking about, documenting about, crapping We need to add a little something to this strengthen that core, stretch out that tight on about…I see so much of it, so often, that I soiled running community and that’s a little quad, swim, box, meditate or whatever else suspect many of you aren’t actually running. (actually a lot of) RUNNING. Your shoes you feel makes you better at the true art of Or you’re only running so you can nip back off belong on your feet and in the bush, not at running it rough. Half your social media time the trail and boast about it to the social media the doorstep. and bang, you’ve found core training time. mad world. Perhaps you think I’m out of order. I can And if you are going to cook up those healthy To me it’s the antithesis of what we love. sense some pent up angst as I type this. “But snacks, I want to share them with you post There’s no dirty goodness (not the type I’m Rich uses social media, blah blah…” I don’t run, there’s no flavour in a Facebook post. talking about anyway) to be found on a screen. care…you know why? Because I was running Yes, we all want to share our achievements; I’m in this trail running game, I’m out there at 4am while you slept; I was running on trails but we need to achieve them first. And just amongst it, the daily grind on the trails, loving this afternoon while you were telling the like a good trail session, when you do post the simplicity and rawness of the sport, and social media world what you ate for breakfast, something online it’s all about quality over right now I’m on a mission of mercy to hold a what tights you were going to buy for winter, quantity. Make ‘em reek of inspiration (not mirror up to that which jeopardises the nature and bitching about someone else not doing boast-ification), and otherwise ask yourself: of this sport. See that reflection? Yes, that’s ego what they (and you) should be doing. I’m do you really need to be tapping out that and self-aggrandising bullshit you’re looking at actually trail running, that’s why I don’t care. post or should you be tap dancing down which might make you feel like a trail runner, If you can’t commit, then I don’t need to a trail instead? but it doesn’t make you a trail runner. know about the chia muffins you baked, or Of course, you don’t have to keep reading your heart rate phase, while eating lunch. Agree with Rich? Or want to tell him to my rant. Instead you could join a committee You think Kilian eats up trails by bitching or step down from the soapbox? What are your of backslappers, or start a trail running feed telling the world about his latest seed diet from thoughts on how much good or otherwise the online, and get mucky stirring all manner of the depths of the Amazon? A runner doesn’t social media realm can play in the community political shite amongst the chattering classes. do that when they’re achieving the seemingly of trail running? Does it help or hinder you in Hell, maybe you can bitch about me…it’s been impossible. They are too busy achieving. getting out there? [And cue the irony]: have done before. Still, not wound up enough to be convinced? your say (or bitch) on our Facebook page We seem to have lost the original heart of After all, you’ve seen me on Facebook – double www.facebook.com/trailrunmag. Alternatively, the trail running community and replaced it standard much? I certainly have my share of get out there and run off the steam. If we don’t with a trail bitching community. Keeping tabs airtime, it’s 2013 and it’s how we communicate hear from you, we’ll know you’re the real on trail running communities these days is after all. It’s important to share the view from deal. Chia muffin anyone? like listening in on a teenage gossip session: that mountain you just peaked, the echidna Richard Bowles is an adventure runner “Oh my god, did you hear what such and you hurdled on your night run, or the greatest extraordinaire – rather shy and retiring as such said about such and such? Yeah, I know, of coffees and slab of cake you had on the way you can tell, but a man who believes in action. they’re only into trail running because it’s cool home. It’s motivating and inspiring to see Check out his ongoing global adventure now. They’re not authentic. Like us. Wow, I others in action doing what we all love to do, runs at www.richardbowles.com.au. looove your new heels – zero drop? The colour sharing adventures as they unfold.

102 103 Adventure tourism ConsultAnCy • mediA ProduCtion digitAl develoPment • grAnt And Funding ACCess • Publishing

– our PubliCAtions –

Issue 03 Au/NZ • Winter 2013

vertiCAl liFe PAddle mAg Trail run

What we're about adventuretypes.com REview

take outs Pearl Izumi E-Motion N1 Trail

Great for All terrain, all seasons, all distances. Not so great for Wet, puddle-filled trails. Test conditions Over 2000kms, ultra-distance races, wet, dusty, rocky, technical trails. Tester Adrian Bortignon Tester mechanics Mid-foot striker, heavy pronator, 80kg trail runner.

VITALS

$115 US Information online at: http:// shop.pearlizumi.com

height of the heel to the height of the ball The upper boasts a seamless construction, of the foot) changes gradually and smoothly making for a super-comfortable fit with or throughout the stride. The official offset is without socks. My feet are wider than most Pearl Izumi E-Motion listed at 1mm. Is Dynamic Offset marketing and I had no problem fitting into this shoe. The Gettin’ All E-motional guff or the truth? Put us down as true material used on the upper is highly breathable believers. The E-Motion N1 Trail provides a and quick drying, perfect for feet-sweaters comfortable ride on fresh and fatigued legs. and puddle-seekers. The E-Motion N1 Trail’s Trail runners can be weight obsessed when capacity to drain quickly is okay, but by no it comes to their kit. The E-Motion N1 Trail is means its strongest attribute. a beautifully light shoe, weighing in at 272g. The outer sole contains a milky way of big, My initial judgment was proven incorrect. On aggressive lugs. Pull on a pair and descend the flipside, ‘light’ naturally raises alarm bells any type of terrain with the confidence of a We’ve done more than test stomach for an old-fashioned looked slow and heavy. I had to get my hands for those looking for a shoe that can go ultra- chamois, all year ’round. The outer sole rubber this shoe. We’ve been on great romance, you might want to Little did I know that a seed had been distance; if greater than 42km is your shtick. Too feels nice and grippy under your feet. adventures together. This shoe switch channels now. planted. I had to get my hands on a pair to on a pair to find out often, light infers minimal protection. This is In summary, if you’re looking for an omni- has accompanied me on one of find out what the positive forum chatter was what the fuss and not so in the case of the E-Motion N1 Trail. trail, omni-distance trail running shoe that Matt Coops’ Ultra-Made camps It certainly wasn’t a case of love at first sight. about. Sadly, I had to do so via evil, online The mid-sole provides ample protection provides protection without the extra grams, (mattcooper.com.au) - performing The first time I laid eyes on the E-Motion N1 import as Pearl Izumi trail shoes are not positive forum across all types of trail and terrain. I piloted the the E-Motion N1 Trail is a fantastic option. like a worn-in star straight out Trail was via a photograph of Timmy Olson’s stocked in Australia. chatter was about E-Motion N1 Trail’s on Central Otago’s rocky End Note: We recently spotted two top ten of the box - plus the Northburn dusty pair taken just after he had broken the After covering close to 2000kms in the 4WD tracks for 19 hours and felt minimal fatigue athletes at UTMB 2013 who are sponsored by 100 and The North Face 100 in the Western States 100 record in them. I am pretty E-Motion N1 Trail, here’s what I know: in the soles of my feet and absolutely no hotspots. another top end brand, but were running in Blue Mountains. Those of you sure my inner-voice described them as ‘loud This shoe has been designed and engineered We know trailites like to wear their bruised the E-Motion N2 Trail. Now that’s credible who have experienced any of these and ugly’. to provide a smooth, fast ride. Pearl Izumi’s and missing toenails like a badge of honour. endorsement – when some other mob is paying events will know they all have The big, black mid-sole particularly off- ‘Dynamic Offest’ takes the traditional toe The E-Motion N1 Trail’s toe box will preserve you to wear their shoes, but you wear an alt- in common, toenail-destroying putting for someone who found it hard to spring that usually starts around the ball of your toenails, making it harder to impress brand anyway, because they perform better. If trails. My love for this shoe runs stray from the strikingly handsome shoes born the foot and moves it back 20mm, to under your buddies with gross Instagram posts of the N2 is an improvement on the N1, we can’t deep so if you don’t have the out of Annecy, France. The E-Motion N1 Trails the mid-foot. The shoe’s offset (ratio of the post-race foot carnage. wait to give them a rub.

106 107 REview

take outs Salomon fellcross 2

Great for Anything technical where grip is needed, uber-muddy terrain. Not so great for Ice cold conditions Test conditions Mostly singletrack, technical, wet and muddy, Yarra Trails in Melbourne. Tester Steven Brydon Tester mechanics Diesel-like multi-day man turned ultra runner, heavy footed strike.

VITALS

$220 /AU Further information at: www.salomon.com/au

SALOMON FELLCROSS 2 underfoot and some short, sharp climbs performance shoe designed for racing. Felling in love allowed me to gauge how much the Fellcross The Fellcross 2 is a low-profile racer with 2’s love the challenge of wet. Like the just a 4mm heel to toe drop. There’s not a lot of Speedcross, they do complain and shift on cushioning, with 9mm at the heel and 5mm in the studded tread if you have to run to a the forefoot. The result is a fast, responsive feel. trail head on firm, even ground, but once If you’re not entirely comfortable with a low they’re unleashed on uneven, aggressive or profile, lightly cushioned shoe,I suggest shorter muddy turf the tread bites deep and their efforts to avoid injury until you get a feel for the With events like UTMB on the breastmilk. Best satisfy its appetite and we Salomon’s Sensifit system cradles the foot to light weight promotes oodles of confidence shoe that inclines towards minimalist. radar of late there’s been a lot of were soon flinging them around inner city provide a precise and secure fit. I have a pretty The Fellcross 2 is low over technical strecthes. If you’re running Final verdict? They are a racer more than chatter about mountain running Yarra River trails – muddy, wet, slippery and consistent size foot and my first worry was profile racer with just over undulating terrain, in less than perfect an all-round training clog. Further, it is not and the ideal shoe for rocky and mixed terrain, just like the English fells. tightness around the toe box. Having an old conditions, hold on and enjoy the ride, these the shoe I would use as an all-purpose go to unpredictable trail conditions. I was keen the see how Salomon could have rugby injury doesn’t make me the lightest guy a 4mm heel to toe drop. shoes grip and get you there upright. for middling or dry conditions. But that’s When the Salomon S-Lab Fellcross improved on such a high quality and hard- on my feet, and my speed rarely harks Kilian- There’s not a lot of Descents proved ripping with the confidence the point. The Fellcross 2 is an outstanding 2’s landed, the editorial team wearing shoe. Gone is the striking original esque comparisons but the Fellcross 2 remained cushioning, with 9mm at the grip gave and early concerns about a racer designed to bring out when conditions jostled and elbowed in a ‘who fits colour scheme, replaced by an understated agile and swift below me. Salomon’s description tight toebox evaporated. One of the key warrant the performance it delivers. So hit the glass slipper’ procession, eager flash of red on the heel counter. This shoe of this shoe as “an aggressively outsoled the heel and 5mm in the improvements over its predecessor is a the hills and enjoy how the terrain is almost for the chance to trial these bad looks all business. fellracing shoe, with a secure and snug fit forefoot. The result is a Protective TPU Toe Cap to provide support taken out of the equation as you skip over boys fresh on shelves. I won. I’ve run a lot of kays in the cousin, Speedcross to feel the terrain” is spot on. and protection for the dangers of errant debris. some unpredictable trails with confidence. (now up to model 3), and expected the same A recent downpour on the trails proved a fast, responsive feel. I have often thought you need be ‘Salomon Do I look or race like Ricky Lightfoot in The shoe jumped of its own volition out of roominess and weight. The Fellcross 2 feels perfect testing forum for a shoe originally foot-shaped’ to get the best out of the range these? No, but I believe in the placebo effect, the box, like a petulant newborn wanting to more like a pair of sleek trail weapons: built for the slop and sometimes scree of and as is the norm, anyone with an overly and damn I feel his groove more than a tad be fed. Only it wanted nutritional dirt, not lightweight (at 260g for a UK8.5), and narrower. the British fellracing scene. It was slushy broad foot may struggle in what is ultimately a when I wear these.

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trail porn Presented by

Copping a last ray of light run at Falls Creek, Victoria Chris Ord

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S alomon runner Gretel Fortmann on trail in the Blue Mountains, NSW L yndon Marceau www. marceauphotography.com

Whitney Dagg on the Leith Saddle Track, Dunedin, New Zealand Derek Morrison www.derek morrison.co.nz

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Lyndon Marceau steps out from behind the camera to get some heel strike in ami d the Blue Mountains, NSW Mark Watson

Ocn a rec e run for future trail tours, Tegyn Angel skips the lip of Gunung Kelud Mountain, Kediri, East Java, Indonesia. Tegyn Angel

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Josh Gale on Omanawanui, Hillary Trail, New Zealand. Shaun Collins http:// cabbagetreephotography.co.nz/

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Mountain runner Michael Turner descends through Local runners Michael Turner and Barney Scahill summit Mt Grey, North Canterbury, NZ. the native bush of Mt Grey, North Canterbury, NZ. Blake Spittle www.27southphotography.com Blake Spittle, www.27s outhphotography.com

Peri Gray steams through oceanside wilderness on the Surf Coast, Victoria. Chris Ord

118 119 trailguide springSpring classicsClassics Presented by

120 122 124 126 You know they’re there: those pristine trails.Close.Not far from your doorstep. You can smell them…

Or maybe that’s just the sweet waft of dirt not-long ground into the lugs of your trail shoes, which sit by the front door — a welcome reminder of the weekend’s mountain jaunt. But the blood screams for more. The legs are sore, yet they pine for a warm down. A warm up. A flat out blast along some winding, wet, wonderful singletrack. But where to go? Only got an hour (which you know can stretch to three). Yarra Trails Rainbow mtn Run skyline Trail Mag has the answer(s). Here. In this guide. Each edition we’ll bring you step by step trail run guides, all within an hour of a major Win Salomon gear! city or town in Australia, New Zealand or Asia, all between 5km We need trail correspondents! If you think there’s a cracking and 30km, all worth zipping out trail the world needs to know about, go research it, write it up, to for a trail fix. shoot a photo and send it in. We do have a bit of a style going, We’ve also included some so be sure to check out the guidelines and download the pro post-trail goodness ‘cause we’re forma before you do at www.trailrunmag.com/contribute human; we’re caffeine freaks too If your guide is chosen as the ‘Editor’s Pick’ of the issue, (strong latte – sometimes double you’ll win some great Salomon Trail Gear. The best guide submitted espresso, but only on race days), to be published in Edition #11 (out December 2013) will receive and we love the smell of fresh an Agile 17 Hydro Pack (RRP $119), a stretch fit 17L beauty perfect eggs and bacon after pounding for longer missions, plus a 1.5L Salomon bladder (RRP$59.99) the paths. Welcome to the and a 237mL Salomon soft flask (RRP$24.99). Routeburn Track goodness guide. So go running, get writing and start window shopping at www.salomon.com/au

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4hrs southern alps point Routeburn Track New Zealand to point

Your Guide // Vicki Woolley 6. Looping around a perfect U-shaped glacial valley, the track descends steeply into dense Recently saved from commercial assault trail tips mossy bush for a tantalizingly short section of (see Vicki’s editorial), it seems technical single track - pure joy for the runner NEARBY TOWN/CITY appropriate that we showcase the stunning that way inclined! Glenorchy, 20km/30min drive Routeburn Track in this edition of TRM. on unsealed road to Routeburn 7. From Lake McKenzie Hut, the track un- Shelter. Te Anau is 85kms/1.5hrs RUN IT: dulates along the bush line for 8.6km, passing drive from The Divide end of gorgeous Earland Falls and descending to Lake the trail. 1. From the Routeburn car park the Howden hut before the final short climb to well-graded trail winds gently through beech Key Summit. EXACT LOCATION Queenstown, beside the Route Burn river – keep an eye out linking Mt Aspiring to Fiordland for deer grazing on the flats. The trail climbs 8. The side trip to Key Summit Alpine Walk National Park. gently past Bridal Veil Waterfall and reaches is well worth the effort, showcasing unique TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE 32km the Routeburn Flats Hut and Campsite after alpine wetland flora, and providing fabulous 6.5km. views of the elusive Lake Marian, Darran TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT Range, and back along the Hollyford Face to 1340/1400m 2. Continue climbing steadily through stun- the Harris Saddle in the distance. ning beech for another 2.5km – with frequent TIME TO RUN 4hrs experienced; glimpses through to adjoining valleys there 9. A fast, easy 3-4km downhill through 8hrs for plodders is plenty to admire - until suddenly you are silver beech brings you to the car park. There dwarfed by the majestic Routeburn Falls Hut. are changing rooms and a rain shelter, but TYPE OF TRAIL RUN Look for endangered mohua as you climb remember to take warm clothes, insect repel- Point-to-point: requires carefully over the slippery rocks above the hut lent and extra food if you will be waiting for transport. There is a range of to rejoin the track above the bush line. transport. transport options to suit most budgets, see Routeburn Track 3. The environment changes dramatically brochure (PDF, 1,634K). above the hut. Alpine daisies, buttercups, lilies, coprosma and flowering hebe shelter in POST RUN GOODNESS: DIFFICULTY Moderate. CAUTION: the frosty tundra as snow-covered peaks tower Make sure you have extra food packed if you this route requires traversing overhead. The Routeburn Valley unfolds plan to finish at The Divide: it’s a 1.5hr drive the Harris Saddle at 1255m, dramatically behind as you climb towards to Te Anau where you are spoiled for choice: alpine conditions apply. Miles Better Pies (+64 3-249 9044 ) does Harris Saddle. DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS a mean venison and cheese; La Toscana’s Beech forest, rocks, alpine 4. Shortly after winding carefully around the (www.latoscana.co.nz ) generous pizzas hit saddle crossing. side of the achingly beautiful Lake Harris, you the spot, or visit The Fat Duck (+64 3-249 cross the Harris Saddle at 1255m - the highest 8480 ) for a more substantial meal and great FEATURES OF INTEREST point of your traverse. A 1–2hour detour up selection of craft beer. All venues are in the Alpine flora and fauna (see side Conical Hill rewards with unparalleled views Town Centre. trips, below), mountain views, down the Hollyford Valley to the Tasman Sea Earland Falls (174m). on a clear day. ONLINE REFERENCE Bare, angry peaks loom overhead while 5. www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and- the valley drops away as you traverse the BARE, ANGRY PEAKS recreation/tracks-and-walks/ Hollyford Face, south from the saddle. The LOOM OVERHEAD WHILE THE fiordland/northern-fiordland/ trail is rocky but fully runnable: an array of routeburn-track/. alpine plants and fabulous views of the Darran VALLEY DROPS AWAY AS Mountain range continue to enthrall as the YOU TRAVERSE THE BEST MAP Topo 50 series CB09 trail descends gradually towards Lake McKen- zie, 20km into your journey. HOLLYFORD FACe

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2-3hrs Melbourne 2x out Yarra Bend Park Victoria and back

Your Guide // Paul Day 2. Take the single trail at the north-east corner of the Studley Park picnic area under Kane’s Only a few kilometres from the concrete trail tips Bridge. Wherever possible, take the left hand jungle of Melbourne’s CBD – indeed on some turns on a short roller-coaster ride along the NEARBY CITY Melbourne CBD, 6km stretches you can see the skyscrapers – edge of the Yarra (more fun than the straight can be found some super speccy, and in EXACT LOCATION StudleyPark loose-stone path). Be careful crossing the wa- parts techy, singletrack that will fool Picnic Area, Boathouse Road, terfall, especially after rain. you into thinking you’re in the true Kew, wilderness as you track along the Yarra 3. Run up the hill at River Retreat (road) and TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE River, knowing the entire time that a turn left near the top – this may feel like you’re 25km (9km south leg and 16km damn fine latte is only a short trot away. trespassing on someone’s driveway but it’s part north leg) This is also the location for the season of the trail. Take the stone stairs down the oth- opening races of the Salomon Trail Run er side and continue along the single-trail. TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT 400m Series (www.salomontrailseries.com.au). 4. Pass through the car park at Bellbird Picnic TIME TO RUN 2.5–3.5 hours RUN IT: area, picking the track back up at the north-west TYPE OF TRAIL RUN end. Follow your nose through the Flying Fox Out and back (x2) South leg: colony that 10-20,000 of the critters call home. Be there at dawn or dusk to get the full vibe! DIFFICULTY Moderate – 1. Running out of the Studley Park Picnic Area, technical sections of single- Continue under the Eastern Freeway, the keep the Yarra River to your right. 5. trail with some steep drops Main Yarra Trail/Pipe Bridge and Chandler Hwy. 2. Run to the south-west uphill on the paved DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS When you get to a paved cycle path, con- cycle path and then turn right to run onto 6. Technical single-trail in the tinue over it and run up the short hill. Follow Yarra Boulevard. At the road junction, take the “bush” only a stone’s throw the single-trail close to the edge of the Eastern single-trail up the middle over the flat hilltop. from the centre of city of 4 Freeway until you get to the intersection with As you get close to Yarra Boulevard again, take million. There’s a buzz in that. the right junction, head back over the road and the paved cycle trail again. FEATURES OF INTEREST down the rocky section towards the river. 7. Cross back over the paved cycle path and Collingwood Children’s Farm, through the gate into Wilsmere Park. Continue 3. Continue following the single trail around Dights Falls, Flying Fox colony the river, passing Dights Falls on your right. through the second gate and follow the trail until you come out at a sporting oval with a at Bellbird Park (especially at With some luck you’ll see some cockatoos and dawn/dusk). lorikeets. As you reach the big intersection be- pavilion and a tap. fore Studley Park Rd Bridge, run straight ahead 8. Turn around and run back to Studley Park, ONLINE REFERENCE on the trail and then down the stairs under the now keeping the river on your right. www.enigma.id.au/hgit/yarra/ bridge. Be careful – this is the start of a section BEST MAP with a steep drop into the river. You should www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/ hear the farm animals on your right over the parks/yarra-bend-park river at Collingwood’s Children Farm as you POST RUN GOODNESS: wind your way along the riverbank. The Studley Park Boathouse Café is worth a shot (www.studleyparkboathouse.com.au) or just 4. Run through Andrew’s Reserve and over the river, in Abbotsford, there are a bunch continue on the single trail on the other side. of great coffee houses and cafes. TryTrail Run You’ll come up some stairs to the Dickinson Mag HQ’s fave (we’re located just around the Reserve Picnic Area and then come to the tap corner!), Three Bags Full (www.threebagsfullcafe. at the north end of the Walmer St Bridge. Turn com.au/) or pop over to the Abbotsford Convent around and run back to Studley Park, now where you’ll find Lentil as Anything (http:// keeping the river on your left. lentilasanything.com/) for great vegetarian nosh North leg: and the Convent Bakery (conventbakery.com/) for something a little more indulgent. 1. Keep the Yarra River on your left.

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1-2hrs out Rotorua New Zealand and back Rainbow Mountain Run

Your Guide // Vicki Woolley 6. Popping out onto a service road, turn left and jog the last few metres to the summit, Volcanic Maungakakaramea – or ‘Rainbow’ trail tips where you will be rewarded with unparalleled Mountain – has cooled somewhat over the 360 views of Rotorua District, the Urewera NEARBY TOWN years, but keep an eye out for steaming and Kaimanawa Ranges, Mt Tarawera, Ton- Rotorua (26km south-east) patches of geothermal activity which al- gariro and Ruapehu. low a complex and unique mixture of plant EXACT LOCATION species to inhabit the area. A short and 7. After that quad-breaking ascent, you have Car park on State Highway 5 sharp run that is a perfect introduction options! Head back down the way you came (Rotorua-Taupo highway), 500m to the myriad of trails in the Rotorua up to make it a 5km option – take care, both past the SH38 turnoff. region. Summit and Crater Lake are shared-use tracks TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE 5km so keep an eye/ear out for mountain bikers. RUN IT: TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT 509m (5km) TIME TO RUN 1-2hrs 1. Run up the wide gravel path from the car POST RUN GOODNESS: park. The DoC sign references ‘Maungakakar- TYPE OF TRAIL RUN amea’, which is the Maori name for Rainbow Head back into Rotorua and seek out the Fat 5km out-and-back Mountain, meaning ‘mountain of coloured Dog Cafe and Bar (www.fatdogcafe.co.nz ) in earth’. Arawa Street, where you can’t go past the Fat DIFFICULTY Easy Dog Steak Sandwich – or anything else that DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS 2. After approximately 1km you will reach comes with their legendary fries. Crater Lake lookout, with excellent views of Forest single-track, geothermal two crater lakes nestled amongst bare ‘rain- activity, steep ascent. bow’ ridges and volcanic vegetation. FEATURES OF INTEREST 3. Continue on the main track for roughly Broadleaf forest, geothermal 500m to the junction with Summit Track. fauna and geology, views of Geothermal activity abounds, evidenced by Central North Island volcanoes. steaming little fumaroles, coloured mineral Geothermal activity WEB deposits, and rainbow banding in exposed www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and- rock outcrops. It is not advisable to head off abounds, evidenced by recreation/tracks-and-walks/ the trail into any of the geothermal areas, even steaming little fumaroles, bay-of-plenty/rotorua-lakes/ those seemingly dormant. coloured mineral deposits, rainbow-mountain-summit-track/ 4. Turn left onto Summit Track. The trail climbs gently at first through scrub and some and rainbow banding in exposed sections where you can see (and exposed rock outcrops smell!!) sulphur and other mineral deposits in the rock. As it steepens, the trail enters increasingly dense bush, which provides wel- come shelter from sun and wind. 5. Towards the top the trail becomes quite steep and rough, and can be very slippery underfoot in the wet.

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trail tips NEARBY CITY Dunedin – you can run 4-6hrs this trail directly from the CBD, or LOOP Dunedin New Zealand drive a few kilometres to Woodhaugh Skyline Gardens and start there. Dunedin has an international airport and is just four hours’ drive from Queenstown. EXACT LOCATION The trail loops up and around Swampy Summit to the northeast of the city then crosses State Highway 1 via the Leith Saddle Your Guide // Derek Morrison // of adventure. Follow the track up across the before climbing Mt Cargill and derekmorrison.co.nz Transmission Line Road and continue on the exiting via Bethunes Gully. trail to the intersection with the Sullivans TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE Approximately Derek left Sydney to live in the South Bridle Track. 26km as a loop or 22km off-road. Island of New Zealand a few years back and this circuit above the city of 6. From here you continue to climb on the TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT 1000m Dunedin was just one of the motivating Escarpment Track that will lead you on a TIME TO RUN 4-6hrs experienced or factors in that decision. traversing arc around Pigeon Hill and to the 7-8hrs for plodders top of Mt Cargill (676m). Pause and take in the incredible views of the city and Swampy TYPE OF TRAIL RUN Loop or can be RUN IT: Summit where you have just come from. run as a point-to-point to avoid all road time. Trail varies from well- Park alongside Woodhaugh Gardens in 1. 7. From the top of Mt Cargill drop back down formed to 4WD track to route. the Leith Valley and warm up with the 2.5km the northern side to pick up the Mt Cargill DIFFICULTY Moderate. CAUTION: jog to the trailhead of the Pineapple Track at Track that heads out towards Buttars Peak parts of this route require careful Booth Road (or start here for the point-to- (617m). Turn right at the foot of Buttars Peak navigation on vague tracks that are point if you’d like to avoid all roads). for the well-formed trail that will lead steeply affected by snowfall throughout into Bethunes Gully and the finish of the 2. The Pineapple Track is a well-formed trail winter. that climbs to the summit of Flagstaff (668m), point-to-point. DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS Begins but you’ll peel off after almost 2km on to the 8. To complete the loop from here it is a 4km well signposted Swampy Ridge Track. in native bush with stands of run down the streets of North East Valley regenerating coastal forest with 3. The Swampy Ridge Track is in tussock coun- to the motorway and then a further 1km to lots of totara and rimu. Climbs try and is very exposed to winds and weather Woodhaugh Gardens. through manuka trees into snow so take care and be prepared. The trail heads tussock country, which affords great north to where it joins with Rollinsons Road city views. Cloud forest in the – a 4WD service track. Turn left here and then POST RUN GOODNESS: Leith Saddle is a highlight, before take the next right past the antenna and on to it climbs Mt Cargill and a descent the Leith Saddle Track towards Swampy Spur Try a pizza and local brew at Filadelfios through native bush. (666m). Remember to look around – the views (+64 3 473 6232) in North East Valley, or treat FEATURES OF INTEREST Amazing over the city are truly amazing. your taste buds to the awesome organic food at The Good Earth Café (+64 3 471 8554) in traverse through a variety of From Swampy Spur the trail descends a terrain, flora and fauna. Views 4. North Dunedin. If you’re after a caffeine string of stairways before entering the first revival and some quick and yummy food are outstanding from Swampy Summit sections of the Cloud Forests of Leith. The trail then Strictly Coffee (+64 3 4790017) on Bath (660m) and Mt Cargill (676m). Rainy punches out of the forest at State Highway 1. Street or Albion Lane will welcome you. or foggy days in the Leith Cloud Cross the highway and you have two options. Need beer and food in larger quantities? Forest are sublime. This loop can be Feeling vulnerable? Take the easier to navigate Try The Lone Star (+64 3 474 1955) in North split into two smaller loops: and run Pigeon Flat gravel road to O’Connell Dunedin. Or if you just want to sample the The Swampy Circuit and the Mt Road and the top of Mt Cargill via the Sullivans many amazing craft beers emerging out of Cargill Loop. Add in the Signal Hill Bridle Track. Feeling adventurous? Head down Dunedin then Eureka Café and Bar have a Loop and you have the infamous Three the gravel road to Sullivans Dam. stool for you (+64 3 477 7977). Peaks Race: http://leithharriers. 5. From the north eastern tip of Sullivans com/threepeaks/index.html Dam there is an overgrown trail that climbs up ONLINE REFERENCE www.dunedin. WATCH: a cool photo film by through the Cloud Forests of Leith. This trail govt.nz/facilities/walking-tracks/ Salomon featuring some of the is affected by winds and snowfall through- skyline-walks trails in this guide. out winter making it difficult to navigate at BEST MAP Topo 50 series CE17 times. It’s a lot of fun if you’re out for a bit

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