Trail Run #43

EDITION 43 // 2022 // AU/NZ

NOW INCORPORATING

r e v e N DEFEATED

DAN WHITEHEAD’S STRENGTH THROUGH CROHN’S

AN AUSSIE AT BARKLEY: CHASING THE YARDS RUNNING WITH DOGS: THE BEST NZ TRAILS WA’S GODFATHER OF TRAILS: KEVIN MATTHEWS MAD MISSION: MATT PEARCE’S SOUTHERN RANGES GET TO KNOW MRS RUNNING BEAST: MADELEINE COLLINS Q&A WITH SAMANTHA GASH: TRAILS AND SURVIVOR

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SHOE REVIEWS – EVENT PREVIEWS GEAR – TRAIL CREW

Vistas are meant to be earned.

MELBOURNE’S MOUNTAIN RUN 22 & 23 OCTOBER 2022 | MOUNT DANDENONG, VIC 12KM MAD MOUSE • 23KM SINGLE LOOP • 46KM DOUBLE LOOP • 2KM KIDS CAROUSEL 12KM/23KM FULL THROTTLE STAGE RACE • 12KM/46KM BEAST MODE STAGE RACE The Roller Coaster Run is all about the zig-zag tracks, the gnarly loops and the trails that never flatten out, all in the lush, wilderness of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It’s just an hour east from Melbourne’s CBD. Brought to you by SingleTrack, proud producers of Buffalo Stampede Festival.

PHOTOS: RaceAtlas.com

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ED43 // 2022 // AU/NZ AUSTRALIAN MADE. AUSTRALIAN PRINTED. AUSTRALIAN OWNED.

COVER: Wyatt Lane Stevens takes the fast descent down from the ever impressive Brow Peak near Arrowtown, New Zealand IMAGE: Sean Beale THIS SHOT: Ultra runner Ruth Croft hopping stepping stones atop Wentworth Falls at UTA IMAGE: Tim Bardsley-Smith VISIT US ONLINE www.trailrunmag.com www.facebook.com/trailrunmag www.twitter.com/trailrunmag www.instagram.com/trailrunmag EDITOR: Kate Dzienis DESIGN: Marine Raynard CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Vera Alves, Brad Dixon, Kate Dzienis, Matt Pearce, Isobel Ross, Clint Slomp, Harmony Waite PHOTOGRAPHERS: Rapid Ascent, Piotr Babis, Tim BardsleySmith, Sean Beale, Drew Besick, Sandy Brinsdon, Nick Davidson, Kate Dzienis, Marco Goer, Adam Haddrick, Scotty Hawker, Gareth Hinds, Alessio Soggetti, Matt Korinek, Jo Malcolm, Sven Martin, Marco Noe, Andrés Nuñez (Last Race Studio), Matt Pearce, Photos4sale Ltd, Lincoln Quilliam, S Group, Sputnik, Ron Tait, The Eventurers, Untamed Media, Astrid Volzke, Dan Whitehead TRAIL RUN IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY ADVERTISING Paul Robinson Phone: +61 (0) 408 162 246 Email: paul@adventureentertainment.com SUBSCRIPTIONS & ENQUIRIES Email: magazines@adventureentertainment.com Phone: (02) 8227 6486 PO Box 161, Hornsby, NSW 1630 trailrunmag.com/subs EDITORIAL Trail Run Mag Email: kate@trailrunmag.com Phone: +61 (0) 413 432 800 PUBLISHER Adventure Entertainment ABN 79 612 294 569 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Trail Running acknowledges and shows respect for the Traditional Custodians of Australia and Aotearoa, and their Elders, past, present and emerging.

DISCLAIMER Trail running and other activities described in this magazine can carry significant risk of injury or Death, especially if you are unfit. Undertake any trail running or other outdoors activity only with proper instruction, 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.

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EDITION 43 // 2022 // AU/NZ

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74. SHOE REVIEWs

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EDITOR’S COLUMN EVENT PREVIEWS: FROM DOWN UNDER AND NZ DREAM RUN: MARATO DELS DEMENTS PEAK PERFORMANCE: RUN MORE, LIVE LIGHTER TRAIL CREW: MANNING PARK TRAIL RUNNERS TRAIL PORN: BREATHTAKING RACES WISE WORDS: SANDY WHITMARSH

REVIEWS

32. NEVER DEFEATED: CROHN’S, TRAILS & LIFE

FEATURES 32. HOW DAN WHITEHEAD HEALS ON THE TRAILS

38. MEET NEW ZEALAND’S ‘MRS RUNNING BEAST’

44. AN AUSSIE AT THE BARKLEY MARATHON

50. MAD MISSION: A SOUTHERN RANGES FKT

56. WA’S GODFATHER OF THE TRAILS: KEVIN MATTHEWS

62. THE BEST NZ TRACKS TO TAKE YOUR DOG

68. Q&A: SAMANTHA GASH

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12. NOW’S A GOOD TIME TO BUY: ALL THE GOOD GEAR 30. BOOK CLUB: HARUKI MURAKAMI 74. SHOE REVIEW: ALTRA LONE PEAK 6 / BROOKS CASCADIA 16

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24 HOURS HOT 24 HOURS COLD

ED’S WORD KATE DZIENIS, EDITOR IMAGE: MARCO NOE

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ever heard of a DFL? That’s okay, most of us haven’t. One year ago, I’d registered to get into the second ever Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra in Herdsman Lake, WA for this year. In 2021, I’d watched as a spectator to cheer on the runners and get a feel for the atmosphere of a backyard ultra. It was inspiring, to say the least (as cliché as it sounds), so as soon as entries opened up, there I was, in on the first round of entrants.

That was back in mid-2021. I had every intention of training and getting myself back on track to find my ‘me’ again on the trails. I was done with feeling left out of events, and wanted to aim for something that would be challenging, yet doable. I hadn’t entered a race in a really long time.

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DFL

With that in mind, life didn’t throw me the pitch I wanted it to. With two young children, the work-life balance was difficult to find. Yes, scheduling was done on a calendar with allocated slots to run or go do weight work, but every week something came up – sickness, work deadlines, school activities, household errands, you name it.

Training was minimal with aims of 5-8km per run, about 3-4 times a week.

Friday, 18 March 2022 came all too quickly.

In the morning, I was debating with my husband whether or not I should actually go – I felt a bit embarrassed that I would only be there for one lap. But the good, supportive man that he is, he convinced me to go and just take ownership of the first 6.7km – and finish it.

Before I knew it, I was walking into Herdy’s ‘village’ at 3pm and setting up shop in my mate Karin Ridley’s tent – meaning putting my backpack on a camping chair and then heading up to the registration table to collect my bib. Number 475. I was happy with that.

Hanging out with Karin, we sat in the camping chairs and divulged our plans.

Hers was to keep going for as long as she could with an aim to stop at midnight, mine was to just finish one lap and do it to the best of my ability to set a benchmark.

There were 20 minutes before the race brief was due to start, so we put our masks on,

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walked to the toilets and then headed to the whiteboards for our selfies after finding our names. Covid restrictions stopped the abundance of hello hugs from mates in tents and gazebos all through the village, but it was so incredible to see friendly faces again and everyone with a big smile on their face. I missed this.

With social distancing securely in place, USWA race director Shaun Kaesler (notoriously known for his extra ‘kaeslerometres’ at events) announced the run brief loudly over the megaphone and we all got goosebumps when a drum group began a Viking Battle beat to psych us all up. The

clock ticked over to 4pm with a 10-second countdown, and Karin and I wished each other luck, parting ways and doing our own thing.

At the back of the pack, it took about 10 or 15 seconds to finally make it to the starting arch, but I could hear Shaun cheer out my name and I looked over to my left to see a big smile on his face. I needed that encouragement, it was so great to feel that warmth.

On I trudged as runners passed me. Some walking faster than me; but that was okay, I was doing my own thing. I had to

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

broke out, and I tried to pick up the pace.

Along the single file finish line I saw out of the corner of my eye my mate Michael Hooker and his wife Tatiana screaming for me to get over the line. Sadly, the big timer in bright red letters ticked over to 1:00:00 and with eight seconds to spare, I could only give everything I had to complete my lap in 1:00:08. I was officially timed out, with absolutely no chance of starting another lap.

Disappointment quickly set in. All I’d wanted was to finish under an hour, and I hated those eight seconds. I went into Karin’s tent, not even seeing her face as she’d already set off for her second lap, sat myself down for a cold drink and tried to catch my breath. I was blank in my head. I had no thoughts. That was actually strange for me.

remember that I was a slow walker, so jogging needed to take priority to pick up the pace. I settled into a 200m walk/200m run routine, and only looked back a couple times to see if there was anyone behind me.

Nope. No one.

Now, bearing in mind my focus wasn’t on time in recent months, 6.7km in under one hour (because you still need time to grab a drink, re-fuel and walk to the start line) is a lot to ask for. Especially if your current average for a 5km parkrun is about 46-48 minutes. So this was a lap I was really pushing myself for. At the 5km mark, I

mentally noted the time on my Garmin – 44:17. Groovy! But time was ticking away, and when I reached 5.7km, my heart was starting to sink as I did the calculations in my head, virtually sitting on the cusp of questioning if I’d make the hour or not.

Heart pounding, breathing all out of whack, this course doesn’t allow you to see the final 30-50m until you turn a corner. Mentally, that’s some serious game play if you’re aiming for anything over eight laps, so a cheer squad is essential. As I rounded the corner, I checked my watch. 15 seconds.

Then all too quickly the mega-loud 10 second countdown for the next lap to start

But as fate would have it, Michael and Tatiana made their way through the village and found me. I shed a tear or two as I quickly mentioned I felt beaten and defeated, however the two of them together reminded me of how everyone is on a different path in life, and mine just happens to be filled with a beautiful family and an incredible job. They gave me tactics to input into my daily grind, and reminded me that showing up to do one lap was better than deciding not to come at all. I instantly began to feel better, and the two of them walked me over to the trophy stand where I was presented with a very special reward – a black DFL fork.

For a bit of humour, everyone who DNFs at Herdy’s gets a wooden fork on a stand with #fysk written on it ("Fork you, Shaun Kaesler"). Mine stands for Dead Far King Last – so yes, I was dead last, I was timed out, I only got one lap in.

But no one could take the smile off my face for the rest of the weekend. I got the best DFL on the face of the planet. A stark reminder, every day, that everyone is in a different chapter of their lives, and it’s okay to not be where you want to be – that life happens, and so long as you start somewhere, don’t ever beat yourself up.

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NOW’S A GOOD TIME TO BUY

ALL THE GREAT GEAR

BODYPLUS STRAPPING TAPE REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS Strapping tape is a runner’s magic accessory.

Whether you run short or long distance, trail or road, we’ve each come to learn how to best wrap this miracle worker to help ease injuries or prevent them altogether. And I must say, the invention has been a lifesaver on too many occasions to count, especially when one of my ankles has rolled a bit too far over a honky nut or slid through a galley way of loose pea gravel.

Some features to look for when on the hunt for a strapping tape include high flexibility for ‘pinch free’ wrapping, if you can tear it by hand for quick application, a 2-way stretch that moves with the surface of the skin, and if it’s porous fabric for breathability and sweat wicking.

The BodyPlus strapping tape range has been designed with the assistance of health professionals for sports, rehabilitation as well as injury prevention, and there are four options available – one of which is great for those who have sensitive skin and tend to break out in a rash after applying any type of tape. The BodyPlus

Hypoallergenic Undertape (also known as a ‘fix tape’ in other circles) can be used under rigid strapping to reduce irritation and assist in adhesion. Pre-cut squares are brilliant for use in friction prone areas to prevent pinching, chafing and blistering, and this I found thoroughly useful.

The BodyPlus Multipurpose Elastic Adhesive Tape incorporates strength and flexibility in a lightweight, latex free, elastic adhesive bandage, and support joints during high stress activity – also great for compression, and ideal for overwrapping rigid sports tape for additional support. Which brings me to the BodyPlus Rigid Strapping Tape, an all-purpose product to increase joint awareness, prevention and the treatment of injuries – brilliant for promoting recovery.

For those who are into kinesiology, BodyPlus also has what they call K-Tape, designed for breathability and can last up to 5 days, allowing you keep movement free flowing.

While the process of strapping may seem simple,

it’s always best for a health professional such as a physiotherapist to determine how best to strap your injury or prevention method, so even if they supply a strapping tape, you can always check to make sure you’re allowed to bring your own along to any appointments.

VITALS RRP BodyPlus Hypoallergenic Undertape $11.99 AUD RRP BodyPlus Multipurpose Elastic Adhesive Tape $7.99 AUD RRP BodyPlus Rigid Strapping Tape $9.99 AUD RRP BodyPlus K-Tape $12.99 AUD Available in chemists across Australia and New Zealand

THE NORTH FACE FIRST DAWN PACKABLE JACKET REVIEWER: HARMONY WAITE To say I have a rain jacket addiction is somewhat of an understatement. I count nine hanging in my wardrobe, two ‘spare’ at my mum’s place and I have even procured four for my kids.

isn’t comfortable or functional to wear under a hydration pack, but I sized up and it fit perfectly over my pack. This also leaves room for layers in cooler conditions.

I already have two North Face jackets and absolutely love them. One of them is at least nine years old and still going strong, so going on past garment performance, I’m sure durability will not be an issue with the new First Dawn Packable Jacket.

The tiny plastic cinches work a treat at the bottom of the jacket to keep it snug, and also in the hood drawstring to keep the hood in the perfect position so that the wind doesn’t blow it off or the peak falls over your eyes. Although I didn’t test it in super high winds, it worked great in moderate gusty conditions, keeping me warm but still being quite breathable.

This jacket, which I received as full bright red in colour and brilliant for spotting the wearer on trails, is extremely lightweight and compact, weighing in at only 170 grams (almost half the weight of my lightest jacket) and folds quickly down to fit in a sandwich zip-lock bag. In fact I stuffed it into my shorts’ side pocket while running and barely noticed it. This makes it a perfect option for a mandatory seam-sealed waterproof jacket that is often required for trail races, especially ultras.

Being OG ‘old skool’ I prefer pit zips for ventilation and dual front pockets for storage, but this jacket has an incredibly, highly functional rear back vent with one central zip soft mesh pocket – easy to access and fit my sunglasses in while I was on the run. This rear configuration means it

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Local weather can lack inclement conditions for a good chunk of the year, and I must admit I had the hose out and gave myself a 5 minute shower in the backyard. The jacket remained dry on the inside and still beaded off nicely. The weather gods, however, threw a 90-minute downpour at me during the start of a trail marathon event I was running in Collie, Western Australia and I have to say, I stayed completely dry for quite a long time and the jacket performed extremely well. I was damp by the end of the storm, but not wet, and I’m not sure how much of that was sweat. I never overheated and once the sun came out, the jacket dried within 15 minutes and I was able to store it in my pack for the rest of the race.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the lightweight functionality and comfort of the First Dawn Packable Jacket. Plus, it was a beautiful ‘go faster’ shade of red. It’s ideal for a lightweight mandatory gear rain jacket or outer shell layer for running and racing.

VITALS RRP The North Face First Dawn Packable Jacket $300 AUD / $330 NZD

thenorthface.com.au thenorthface.co.nz

NOW’S A GOOD TIME TO BUY ALL THE GREAT GEAR

EARSHOTS REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS Badass bass. Funky frequency. Wireless wickedness. Magnetic magic.

Found altogether in a pair of brand spanking new Earshots, these headphones have been forged in the mountains and peaks of New Zealand to suit the cyclist who needs aerodynamic qualities and quick controls, and the trail runner who needs wearable stability.

The market, let’s face it, is littered with cheap knock-offs and dodgy internet sellers, but rest assured that the Earshots brand has worked incredibly hard to create and provide a high quality earbud system that will impress even the toughest of critics.

Headphones for me personally are a hard battle.

One side always fits immaculately into the ear, whilst the other side keeps popping out and doing its own thing, leaving me having to fidget for at least between 500m and 1km, or stopping altogether when I’m out for a run to push the darn things in. It’s been tricky to find a brand that fits, and it’s not like I can just go out and buy a pair if the one I’ve already purchased doesn’t fit – quality earbuds are an investment and cost a decent amount of money. So it’s important to read up on other people’s experiences, especially since trail runners have a lot of bounce to their headphone needs.

Earshots were designed by New Zealander James Bell-Booth, who wanted to fashion a product to solve the problem of earphones slipping out or dislodging while running.

After thorough research, he came up with the Earshots’ Shocklock system, which utilises three components to get the fit right for anyone’s ear – the ear itself, a textured gripping surface on the earbud, and the magnetic element that applies pressure to both the ear and the earbud surface.

The Shocklock feature is what holds the earbud in place.

The earbud itself rotates 40 degrees so once placed in the ear, you have the ability to find the perfect position for it, and there are three layers of cushioning.

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From the minute I received my Earshots delivery, I was impressed. Doing its bit for the planet, the company is aiming to have as little impact on the environment as possible so they mail the headphones in a recycled box with all instructions available online; it’s not a cheap looking box either, it’s durable and well made.

Unlike other brands, the Earshots ‘live’ in a beautifully sleek black case that also doubles as a charging station; an inbuilt battery storage unit, so to speak. If the case is charged, and you run out of the 4-hour battery life for each earbud, just ensure you have the case in your car or hydration pack and place them in the storage unit for a recharge. Brilliant!

Earshots’ other features are pretty amazing too – Bluetooth pairing with my Android took me less than 20 seconds, and I could take a call easily with a quick press of the functionality button, which is located on both earbuds. Earshots are weatherproof too, so there’s no stress if the clouds decide on a downpour, and they’re not strictly noise cancelling so you can run safely if you need to head onto a cycle path and want to be aware of your surroundings.

You’re waiting to read about the sound quality, though, aren’t you? One of the most fundamental features runners want is clear and concise sound for podcasts and a slamming good vibration for

music. I experienced no dropouts while out on my local trails, resulting in reliable performance, and found the quality significantly terrific while listening to my usual high energy, bass-loaded beats – not as big as a set of headphones made specifically for bass, but enough for me to enjoy my music and bring the level up a few notches.

Absolutely no qualms there.

The only trouble I went through was the fact it took me a while to have the Earshots sit in my ear precisely in the right spot – my right ear doesn’t play nice, and from I’ve learned, a lot of people have the same problem. But I reverted to the online instructions straight away after realising I had a little issue, and before I knew it both earbuds were sitting comfortably in my ears, magnetic Shocklock system secured, and I headed out the door. From then on, they stayed in place surprisingly well and I didn’t have to fiddle with adjustments. By far, these are the most secure and impressive earbuds I’ve worn to date.

VITALS RRP Earshots $179 AUD / $189 NZD earshots.com

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

FISIOCREM REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS The fragrance that can come from ache and pain relief creams at times may be…robust, for a better word. We’ve all been there, where it smells like we’ve just lathered ourselves in the stuff.

The thing is that the majority of topicals work by incorporating counterirritants, like menthol or camphor, because the two ingredients stimulate sensory receptors on your skin and have the ability to block pain sensations.

It can be confusing with the amount of products on the market, trying to choose what’s best for your body. Especially ones that don’t give off a strong fragrance.

Fisiocrem is actually not only an ache and pain formulation, it’s also a herbal massage cream – which was an impressive surprise when doing research on the product. There’s a plethora of remedial therapists across Australia, in particular, who use fisiocrem post treatment all in thanks to its ability to provide calming relief for angry localised tissues.

One of my favourite ‘features’, if you will, with fisiocrem is the fact it’s a natural solution.

Personally, I have a serious sciatica and bursitis issue on my left side, and anti-inflammatory gels or creams are ideal for me when it starts to get too costly for a physio or masseuse. All of fisiocrem’s active ingredients are concentrated pure herb extracts derived from plants, including Arnica Montana, Calendula Officinalis and Hypericum Perforatum (or St John’s Wort), and there’s also tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil) and menthol thrown in for amazing measure, so I already felt better that I wasn’t layering on a pharmaceutically created product. It isn’t pungent either, and once I dabbed the cream on, relief came incredibly quickly.

But fisiocrem doesn’t just have to be used to help through aches like mine. It’s a great product to incorporate into any post workout (cardio or gym) discomforts, and can be utilised as an aid for arthritis pain. Many have claimed to get incredible

results with fisiocrem when compared to synthetic gels or creams, and I’m all too happy to make it my go-to muscle relief product with the results I saw.

VITALS AUSTRALIA RRP fisiocrem solugel 60g $16.95 AUD RRP fisiocrem solugel 120g $24.95 AUD RRP fisiocrem solugel 250g $44.95 AUD NEW ZEALAND Fisiocrem is available for purchase in New Zealand at various outlets including pharmacies grocery shops and health practitioners fisiocrem.com.au

SUUNTO 9 PEAK REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS This is a beautifully sexy watch. Yes, I used the word ‘sexy’. Because, quite frankly, it is. It’s sleek, sophisticated and elegant on the wrist, and is Suunto’s latest flagship addition to the sports watch line. Being quite thin and oh-so shiny, it’s a luxurious looking piece of equipment and can be worn comfortably to accommodate an athlete who also might need to head out for a corporate meeting in the middle of the day. Daily wear is absolutely doable.

There are four model options for the Suunto 9 Peak – two titanium (Granite Blue and Birch White) and two stainless steel (Moss Gray and All Black). I got the opportunity to test out the Granite Blue Titanium over a number of months, and was thoroughly impressed with how lightweight it was. Most adventure watches still remain quite bulky and are, understandably, not to everyone’s tastes. So daily wear can be difficult, but the Suunto 9 Peak solves all those problems with its svelte tech packaged into a lustrous accessory.

I could go on and on about how amazing it looks on my wrist, but onto the tech we must go. Firstly, believe it or not there are four main battery modes – Performance, Ultra, Endurance and Tour, and you can get a decent 170 hours of battery life. When running an ultra, the Tour mode can be selected and this will see the GPS

pings come up at one hour apart – hence the long battery life. With regards to charging, I loved the fact that I could put this watch on its small magnetic cradle for just five minutes and see a decent battery increase for me to run out for the door for a short stint.

As far as GPS goes, Suunto uses GPS data with wrist-based accelerometer data, so results are from a cross reference of both the wrist and its navigational systems. I have absolutely no qualms with the routes it provided me through the accompanying Suunto app and I could easily upload everything to any third party apps.

But what’s one of the best features, you ask?

Well, it has what’s called Snap to Route tracking, which means the watch uses a pre-planned route to keep your GPS on track. All you need to do is upload your designated route via the Suunto app and you’ll be guided with a small map of your run – handy for when your route becomes a bit more complex than your daily neighbourhood run.

We’re all runners here, so the Suunto 9 Peak is a great all round watch for our preferred activity, with features like training stress score, estimated recovery time, and health metrics such as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption on the cards.

Running on its own OS, the Suunto 9 Peak syncs with your phone and you can get your usual app

notifications and incoming messages. There isn’t much choice for watch faces, but if you’re more about the watch’s sports functionality then this really wouldn’t be a bother. It has a customisable screen to show the most relevant data for your exercise, and there’s an incredible 80-plus sports modes.

Is the Suunto 9 Peak something you should highly consider? Absolutely. Because of its techy intelligence and its slimline features, this is definitely a serious runner’s watch.

VITALS RRP Suunto 9 Peak $1,199 AUD / $899.99 NZD NZ RETAILERS: suunto.com.co.nz & fitness.net.nz AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS: Harvey Norman, Find Your Feet, Wild Earth & other specialty retailers 15

NOW’S A GOOD TIME TO BUY ALL THE GREAT GEAR

ZEENYA CLOTHING, SPORTS RANGE REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS

Whether you’re a beginner runner or more experienced, finding the perfect pair of shorts or leggings to fit your body can be strenuous at the best of times. Most of the time, we all go by word-of-mouth recommendations or at least walk into a shop to try things on…but how something fits in the change room may not directly translate to when you’re on the move.

And then by the time we find a pair that fits us oh-so-perfectly, it’s too late to get another matching pair because they’ve sold out of our size, so the process starts all over again.

Oh, and then…there’s nothing worse than spending close to, or over, $100 on running pants only to find that during a training run, there’s an itch from a seam or the crotch keeps riding low because we got the wrong size. Refund? Not likely if you’ve already sweated it out in them.

Enter Zeenya, designed in New Zealand.

Founded in 2014 and inspired by the vibrancy of Brazil in South America, Zeenya, cofounded and owned by Chloe Wickman, is targeted for active women who expect high performance from running gear.

insurance, but the brilliance in colour more than makes up for that when it comes to day runs.

So let’s get into the important stuff – the wear and tear of the product. In this case, a pair of Oceano Running Leggings (a stunning blue, green and black pattern with a black waistband) retailing for $134.90 (NZ).

My immediate reaction to the softness of the fabric left me incredibly impressed; very stretchy and no trouble getting them on or over the calves. On a couple runs that just so happened to be done when humidity was at an all-time high, I didn’t feel any of the seam-work along my skin, so there was no itch or annoyance running down my legs.

Zeenya’s website notes that the ‘waistband is a compression fabric which sits high around the waist’ and true to form, there was indeed quite a bit of support, with nothing rolling down or falling out whilst out running (for some, like me, an issue).

The company’s Sports Range uses a mix of the Amni Sol Eco®, Brazilian Supplex (a high performance sportswear fabric that draws moisture away) and Sportiva Pro® materials.

The fabric was so smooth that it almost felt like I was running without pants on, if that’s even possible (and let’s not imagine it).

The material moved and bounced with my muscles, almost like they were a second skin, and supported each move as I picked up the pace, with no dropping of the crotch at any time. Leggings that slip down non-stop are a big distractor and nuisance – no one wants to keep pulling them up while out and about, so it was a delight for these Zeenya leggings to stay where I wanted them to. Absorption of sweat was c’est magnifique because on a muggy and sticky run, the last thing I want to feel is super dank in places I don’t want to feel particularly dank in. Ventilation is an important, if not critical, feature in activewear for both men and women, so to have the fabric go to work as well as it did was extraordinary.

The colour scheme in Zeenya’s Sports Range is full of life, so if you’re someone who enjoys adding a bit of splash into your activewear wardrobe, the patterns are insanely groovy.

If you’re looking for visibility, these are the pants to go for – there might not be any reflective details for added night run

Are you asking about pockets yet? It seems that it’s only been in the last two or three years that pockets have been viewed as an essential component of ladies’ shorts, capris and leggings. I’m not sure why it never occurred to designers previously that women also require to stash away their phones and

Firstly, the low down on Zeenya’s Sports Range products themselves.

A biodegradable textile called Amni Sol Eco® produced in Brazil has been specifically created to move with the body and minimise odours. In scientific terms, its secret is the enhanced polyamide 6.6 formula, which enables the garments to quickly decompose when they’re discarded and left in landfills (however, you won’t be throwing out these Zeenya babies any time soon).

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keys while out adventuring on the trails, so it’s been thoroughly pleasing to see pockets make an appearance on a regular basis.

Zeenya was no exception here – a large panel pocket on the right meant that I had enough room to store my phone in the one compartment without it sliding out, and a zip-close pocket in the waistband, at the back, securely held my keys and a bank card.

A great pair of running leggings has the power to significantly improve your performance. Just be mindful that when choosing a pair of leggings from Zeenya to order one size up to what you would normally wear.

VITALS NEW ZEALAND RRP Zeenya Running Leggings $134.90 NZ AUSTRALIA Zeenya is available for purchase in Australia via the website, but please take into consideration current conversation rates zeenyaclothing.com

WHAT IS ADVENTURE? For generations, adventure has been in our blood.

It’s taken us to new heights and pushed us to new limits.

But what is adventure?

It’s in all of us but it’s different for everyone.

FIND YOURS AT MOUNTAINDESIGNS.COM

E S T. 1 9 7 5

B O R N O F T H E M O U N TA I N S

EVENT PREVIEW WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: SANDY BRINSDON

MT DIFFICULTY ASCENT MT DIFFICULTY, CROMWELL, NEW ZEALAND For that extreme adventure you’re craving, the Mt Difficulty Ascent in Cromwell, New Zealand is 100 per cent unique within Australasia – and known to be the steepest race in the country. The elevations and vertical ascents are insane, with your first major climb taking up 500 vertical metres (a gradient of between 40-55 degrees) in 1km of travel – welcome to the 40-minute kilometre, with most of it done using your hands.

Another major climb, in the 44km course, will see you climb a vertical 1km in 3.5km. Any steeper along the route and you’d be getting your head around the sport of rock climbing. Think you can hack it?

The Mt Difficulty Ascent is created for those who love their inclines steep and their descents nicely runnable (maybe with a couple of wee rock scrambles thrown in for good measure). Race director Terry Davis has even chucked in 200m with a set rope, mostly to keep his participants on course but also to make sure everyone is safe. He might get a thrill out of seeing everyone puff their way to the top, but he still wants to make sure safety is paramount.

If you’re getting squeamish already – good!

In a great year, many will be thrilled to know the race features between 10-15km of snow across the top section of the course, so if you’re from Auckland or Australia you may well experience a whole new level of cold. But don’t fret! Terry says it’s good to experience such conditions, because the cold closes the capillaries loose to your skin so any scratches from the local flora won’t actually bleed (hey, listen… they’re his words, not mine!).

Yes, it’s pretty obvious that you need to be a confident hiker or trail runner, and you should enter the Mt Difficulty Ascent with some level of experience behind you; it’s definitely not for beginners.

But ‘epic’ is pretty much the first word that springs to mind when it comes to this race, quickly followed by ‘torturous’, ‘punishing’ and ‘ruthless’. As the saying goes, nothing worth doing is easy.

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EVENT

Mt Difficulty Ascent

WHEN

11 June, 2022

DISTANCE 25km, 44km Mt Difficulty, Bannockburn WHERE near Cromwell, New Zealand MORE mtdifficultyascent.com

217 160 100 50 25 13 5 2.5km

15-17 July 2022 Entries Now Open

EVENT PREVIEW WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: SVEN MARTIN

ISLAND ULTRA NELSON, NEW ZEALAND To really catch the meaning of the word ‘epic’, the Island Ultra is the race that will give you a true definition. Hosted by Ultra NZ and Fusion Events, runners will discover this amazing part of the upper South Island, with distances for everyone and scenery that is simply out of this world.

Held on the privately owned Pepin Island, and the newest addition to the Ultra NZ Series, there’s a chance to experience all types of terrain including forest, technical single track, and a bit on the Cable Bay walkway.

This event is perfect for the trail runner who wants something of everything when adventuring in the beautiful NZ outdoors, and on offer are four distances to suit athletes on all levels – a 55km with an elevation of 3000+m, 33km (2000m) and 18km (1000m) which are all on Pepin Island, and a 10km (500+m) that keeps close to Cable Park Adventure Park.

Paradise has well and truly come calling at the Island Ultra, so get your favourite trail shoes out and prepare your hydration, because there’s no way you’re going to want to miss out on this incredible event.

EVENT

Island Ultra

WHEN

1 October, 2022

DISTANCE 55km, 33km, 18km, 10km

20

WHERE

Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

MORE

ultranz.com/islandultra

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: RAPID ASCENT

GREAT SOUTHERN STAGE RUN ALBANY, WA, AUSTRALIA Rapid Ascent made the announcement late last year they were welcoming a new ultra trail running event to the Australian calendar – the Great Southern Stage Run near Albany, Western Australia which would be limited to a specific number of entrants. The Great Southern is the largest and most diverse region within the country’s South West, and the course will encompass some remarkable seaside scenery as well as the infamous Bibbulman Track.

According to Rapid Ascent general manager Sam Maffett, the inaugural Great Southern Stage Run is expected to attract a wide variety of entrants, especially because there have been openings for teams as well as solo participants.

“Some parts of the course feature cliff faces carved out by crashing waves and huge natural rock formations, whilst other parts feature curving beaches lined with crystal clear water more akin to a swimming pool,” he said.

“It’s raw and idyllic rolled into one, and we know competitors are going to be frothing!”

Strictly limited to 70 relay teams and 30 solo runners, the Great Southern Stage Run course will be divided into 4 legs each day, with each leg varying between 12km and 25km.

It’s designed predominantly for relay teams of 4 runners completing 1 leg each day, and some of the locations where entrants will be running through will be the envy of many – including the Valley of the Giants, Conspicuous Beach, Peaceful Bay, Lowlands Beach and the Wilson Inlet Ferry just to name a few.

The Great Southern Stage Run will provide a remarkable journey through a diverse landscape in the beautiful southern parts of WA. EVENT

Great Southern Stage Run

WHEN

17-19 November, 2022

DISTANCE 4 legs each day for a total of 210km WHERE

Walpole to Albany, Western Australia

MORE

greatsouthernstagerun.com.au

21

EVENT PREVIEW WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: S GROUP

RUN NARAWNTAPU GREENS BEACH, Tas, AUSTRALIA With the coastline all around you and pristine beaches for kilometres on end, Run Narawntapu is the race of a lifetime when you get yourself to Tasmania.

Held amongst wide open plains amongst abundant wildlife, the event is held at Narawntapu National Park – the first national park in the state to revert to an Aboriginal name (‘narawntapu’ being the indigenous name for the Badger Head and West Head areas within the park) and the race kicks off on the beach adjacent to the Greens Beach Golf Club following a Welcome to Country by indigenous locals.

It’s a few hundred metres of sand running before veering left to the Greens Beach foreshore trail, an undulating and easy running single track, and when you hit the 6km mark you’re welcomed by your first aid station to re-hydrate and re-set before taking off again.

To prepare for Run Narawntapu’s 50km event, sand running will be your first point of call; there’s roughly 22km in total of beach to cover, followed by 28km of single trail with a total elevation of about 600mt. There are so many benefits to hitting the soft plushness of sand, from providing a softer landing on your joints to improving your overall athletic performance, and training for Run Narawntapu will make you faster and stronger on a whole new level.

For those of you dreaming of a race that has everything on offer, from a beautiful and respectful way of honouring the original landowners to the cascading views of the ocean, then you’ll absolutely love signing up for Run Narawntapu.

There’s so much incredible beach to take in during Run Narawntapu, and if you hit Badger Beach in perfect conditions – when the tide is out and only a light wind whishing past you – you’ll find the 4km beach stretch to your advantage with it being flat and fast.

EVENT

Run Narawntapu

WHEN

22 May, 2022

DISTANCE 12km, 25km, 50km

22

WHERE

Narawntapu National Park (Greens Beach), Tasmania

MORE

facebook.com/RunNarawntapu

17 SEPTEMBER ANGLESEA VICTORIA

ULTRA

RUNNING

AT ITS BEST!

2022

DREAM RUN

MARATO DES DEMENTS

WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: ANDRÉS NUÑEZ / LAST RACE STUDIO

MARATÓ DELS DEMENTS, SPAIN

W

hen looking for a demanding trail that will test your skillset as an experienced trail runner, the Marató dels Dements in Spain is a mountain race of exceptional adversity.

and negative altitude difference of 3,808m – so preparation and experience on the trails is key.

As one of three events, together with the Mitja d’Eslida and Mitja d’Ain, runners make their way through an intricate network of paths and trails that make up part of the Parc Natural de la Serra d’Espadà in beautiful Plana Baixa, a region of the Castellón province, with its start line in the old and quaint village of Eslida.

Knowledge of self-supportive trail running is highly recommended and cut-off times are stringent, but if you ever get yourself over to run Marató dels Dements, it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime events that will take your breath away with its resplendent outlooks above Eslida full of medieval citadels, and mountainous, steep slope terrain that will get your heart pumping and your blood rushing.

Known to be one of the most complicated trail running events in the world, the Marató dels Dements is 42.5km with a positive

Dates are not yet confirmed for the 2022 event but more information can be found at maratodelsdements.com/en/

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ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

25

PEAK PERFORMANCE WORDS: BRAD DIXON IMAGES: ALESSIO SOGGETTI

RUN MORE, LIVE LIGHT, CONSUME LESS, BE MORE.

Planet SAVE THE

L

ike most Kiwis and Aussies, I love swimming in our beautiful oceans, rivers, and lakes plus making use of our incredible bush and forests. Without these areas, trail running wouldn’t be able to be enjoyed by our grandkids.

Most people have heard that the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report has stated we have until 2030 to change the way we live to ensure we give our grandchildren a fighting chance to have a life on Earth (let alone enjoy the majesty of running off road!). If we don’t change, then the average global temperature will rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius and will set off an irreversible, negative cascade of events that will create climate chaos.

It has come to the point where our family has had to change. I love my kids, and I know I’ll love my grandkids. I imagine talking to my grandchildren and I don’t want to be on the wrong side of climate change history. I know humans have a large effect on what’s happening (97% of experts agree), and if I want to live with any authenticity then I must act in accordance with my desire for the next generations to enjoy this beautiful planet as I do. Swimming

26

in the ocean and being in the bush is my happy place and I have no right to act taking that away from my offspring.

So what can you do to stop this decline? Plenty.

You can gradually change habits and make a difference. I now have a ‘live light’ day in which I ride my bike to work (unless it’s pouring with rain), and fast until dinner that night. Monday is my ‘rest day’ from usual training sessions and is the perfect day for me to live with a light footprint on Earth. I complete my usual habits like my 10 minutes of yoga, writing, and my invigorating cold shower, but I also now ride my bike to work and fast to really live MEGA-light for 1 day a week.

Driving a 1.5-tonne car to go to work is very resource-heavy. Riding a bike is a far healthier option on so many levels – you could also run to work to increase training miles which allows you to add to cardiovascular exercise time, a far more energy efficient mode of transport, and takes cars off congested roads.

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

It’s the way so many progressive cities are going to create a healthier, more friendly environment. Cities like Amsterdam, Zurich, Copenhagen and Paris are all reducing car parking, increasing parking costs, and planting more trees. Almost 50% of all people in Amsterdam travel to work by bike.

Eating a plant-based diet is another way to reduce land and water use for producing food. Looking at the big picture, growing animals to eat requires far more energy than plants. Food waste is also a problem. New Zealanders, on average, waste almost 160,000 tons of food annually, whilst Australians wasted 11% of food purchased during 2021. Globally 1.3 billion tons of food is not consumed.

Drastic change doesn’t have to be depriving. In fact, from what I’m finding, hooking into habits that will save the world will also help move me towards a healthier state. So take a look at riding your bike more (great cross training) and go without food for increased periods of time (always check with a health professional if unsure – at least look at stopping snacking after dinner). Then once you entrench these lifesaving habits, add some more. Be more, have less, save the world, run better, and improve your health.

Expansive wellness habits to save the world and make you healthier include: •

Riding your bike, or taking public transport rather than a car

•

Aiming for a plant based, whole foods diet and easing your way into it

•

Taking shorter cold showers

•

Reducing, recycling, refusing, reusing

•

Less screen time, more sleep time

•

Going for a run in the bush or a swim in the ocean, lake or river

•

Opening your mind to change your old habits

Brad Dixon is a holistic physiotherapist, endurance coach, and wellness evangelist based at EVERFIT Physio & Coaching. His passion is helping people strive for their potential with promotion of enhancing daily habits. The power is in your hands! Connect with Brad at www.everfit. co.nz, Strava, You Tube (EverFITcoach) and Instagram (everfitcoach). His book ‘Holistic Human’ is available through his site or Amazon.

27

TRAIL CREW

MANNING PARK TRAIL RUNNERS

ANSWERED BY: CLINT SLOMP IMAGES: JO MALCOLM

TRAIL CREW

MANNING PARK TRAIL RUNNERS

How did your group begin?

In 2016 I started a hills running training session over winter to keep fit in the triathlon off season. After a few months we moved the session to Manning Park and the numbers doubled in a week. Two years ago we also added a weekly kids session where families bring their children to take part in a trail adventure together.

Where does your group run mostly?

Weekly at Manning Park, weekly at Bickley, plus fortnightly weekend trail adventures around other local trails.

What is your favourite local trail?

My favourite would have to be Manning Park, of course.

What local event do you rally around?

Transcend Ultra, which is a 65km trail race through the Avon Valley, from Walyunga National Park all the way through to Toodyay.

What single piece of advice would you give a newbie joining your group?

We cater for everyone from hikers through to race winners. All of us will make sure you feel welcome, so our advice is to just come and join us!

If your trail group was an animal, what would it be and why?

A mountain goat, because we love hills!

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If you were heading out for a solo ultra run and some bastard stole your pack so you can only take two things, what would you have in each hand?

A flask of Tailwind for hydration and some Squirrels Nut Butter so I don’t chafe.

The world is ending. Nominate a trail anywhere on the planet that your group must run. It’s the last trail you’ll ever see. Where is it?

Ultra Trail Mount Blanc.

Your group can choose ANY three people on Earth, living or dead, to come join one of your runs. Who are they and why them?

Cliff Young, to tell us about his Melbourne to Sydney epic race win, Steve Irwin because he is a good Aussie larrikin and Courtney Dauwalter because she inspires so many females to get into the sport.

How have you seen participation in your group change people and lives?

Our group has given many members a sense of connection.

They have found new friendships with others who have similar interests and have created awesome trail memories with them at events and by getting out and exploring together. Being part of the ‘Blue Crew’ has supported so many members’ mental health as well as improving their physical health.

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

TRAIL CREW NAME: Manning Park Trail Runners BIRTHDAY: 2016 REGION: Spearwood, Perth, Western Australia MEMBERS: 2,100 AVERAGE RUNNERS AT EACH HOOK UP: 70 AVERAGE HOOK UPS A YEAR: 52+ SHOES OWNED IN TOTAL: A ridiculous amount of Altra and Tarkine shoes for all kinds of trail adventures UNOFFICIAL CLUBHOUSE: We meet near the Manning Park Stairs before our weekly session WEB: facebook.com/groups/manningparktrailrunners/

29

BOOK CLUB

REVIEW

REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS

WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING

BY HARUKI MURAKAMI

K

nown to be one of the more popular books amongst runners, Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is for both beginner and experienced runners. Originally published in Japan back in 2007, the book is still incredibly relevant, with readers able to walk away with a lesson learnt or, at least, a great insight into someone else’s journey with running.

In 1982, Murakami sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, but needed an outlet to keep himself active seeing as he was sitting behind a desk most days. A year later, he’d completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and after dozens of similar races, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a reflection upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing. As a serious runner who peaked in his 40s, Murakami writes in precise and short sentence structure – but many, as I’d noticed, are unsure if that’s just his way of writing or if that’s how the English translation made it out to be. It’s a relaxedtype of style, not formal at all, and he uses descriptive texts that appear easy-going and laidback.

Said by many to be an ‘oddball’ of a person, Murakami has a strong fanbase thanks to his other publications (Norwegian Wood,

30

Kafka On The Shore, After Dark and Sputnik Sweetheart), and admirers will realise they’re reading about him, not just about running, however as mentioned with his style of writing, I found Murakami’s style clipped and inconsistent, the flow just not what I was hoping for – personally, I like more elongated wording and a fluidity from paragraph to paragraph.

Not a guide on running either, and not an autobiography per say, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is more of a self-contemplative diary where Murakami reveals his inner most thoughts and feelings in a bid to better understand himself. In the very first chapter – in fact, within the first 7 pages of the book – he readily admits to training at only 58km per week, targeting his days with just under 10km per run, per day (at 6 days per week), but seasoned runners will see this as low mileage that can undercut the expectations of a race. There is humour in the book, however, as Murakami concedes to numerous mistakes in training, and the element of entertainment is there. So readers can forgive him for the lack of mileage.

This free-form book is an incredible depiction of what it feels like for anybody to train and run at a race, though. And look, it’s very persuasive, because it’s incredibly difficult to write about a topic with such

intrigue and interest, especially when there’s a monotony about the subject – train like this to get you this far, and so on and so on. What I found most delightful was the refreshment and enlightenment Murakami sought at the end of each marathon, plus the use of typical cliché lines and passages that remain inspirational to this day.

This is not just a memoir about running, let’s make that clear. Interspersed with his thoughts on writing and becoming a novelist, Marukami brings the two together by revealing the joys and challenges both have brought him. He goes over the ups and downs of the sport and the written work, even discussing what he calls the ‘runner’s blues’, and the kinds of places he’s visited around the globe to compete in races. You start to feel that indeed Murakami is a dedicated and focused runner all the while keeping in shape and staying motivated.

Straightforward and pleasant, at times funny, playful and philosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a must-read for fans of this writer as well as for our exploding population of runners. It’s not a book that will inspire you to get outdoors and hit the trails, but it will inspire you to think about what everyone goes through when they lace up their shoes.

To connect, to evolve, or just to run.

The act of running is practical, aesthetic and spiritual all at once. Few other ways of moving offer such diversity of use and utility. It’s this notion that informs the things we fight for, the people we spend time with, and the products we make.

You don’t need much to accomplish quite a lot.

FEATURE WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: SCOTTY HAWKER, DAN WHITEHEAD

Never

DEFEATED

CROHNS, TRAILS AND LIFE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DAN WHITEHEAD FIRST FELL ILL TO CROHN’S DISEASE WHEN HE WAS JUST 14 YEARS OLD. NOT UNDERSTANDING THE SEVERITY OF THE ILLNESS BUT NONETHELESS LIVING WITH IT, HE ENDED UP AT HOSPITAL IN SEVERE PAIN THE DAY AFTER TURNING 21, SUFFERING FROM A PERFORATED BOWEL. FOLLOWING A LONG STINT IN RECOVERY, GETTING OFF ENDONE MEDICATION AND RECUPERATING FROM SURGERY, DAN EVENTUALLY MADE HIS WAY INTO THE WORLD OF TRAILS, USING THE GREAT OUTDOORS AS A WAY TO HEAL. KATE DZIENIS FINDS OUT FROM DAN WHAT LIFE IS LIKE FOR HIM NOW AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT RUNNING THAT’S HELPED HIM GET THROUGH HIS DIAGNOSIS.

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ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

Training on the TDS course in 2018.

Scotty Hawker

33

FEATURE CROHNS, TRAILS AND LIFE

M

ount Gambier runner Dan Whitehead has shed the limitations that come with a diagnosis normally bound to significant pain and debilitation. It’s a story that warrants authentic retelling, because if there’s one person who should impress you and influence you to carry on, it’s him.

When he was 14, Dan began the journey of living with Crohn’s Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tracks, which in turn leads to a life of abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. The day after turning 21, he landed in hospital following serious complications that took some time to be diagnosed, and later faced a barrage of challenges he never saw coming.

“I remember being so scared, and the pain being extremely intense, unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” he says.

“I’d lived with Crohn’s for several years already at that point and had been unwell, but this was the first time I’d had experienced severe problems. At the time, I didn’t realise how serious they were though, and that was a bit of a blessing. I had to be fed through a tube and was barely able to get out of bed and walk around, so that was a complete shock.

“I just wanted to get well enough to leave the hospital and go home, so that kept me motivated.”

Dan hits training hard in Livigno, Italy ascending Piza di Rin. Scotty Hawker.

It was unfortunate in Dan’s situation, as doctor’s didn’t realise how serious his condition really was whilst in hospital. And it wasn’t until a month later when he had surgery that doctors had discovered a perforation in his bowel as well as an abscess. To manage the pain, Dan had been given an opioid medication, and at the time knew nothing of its addictive nature.

Going cold turkey was the only way he got off it, but not in the normal sense of the term.

“When I stopped taking it, I got night sweats, aches, insomnia… it sucked. But even then I didn’t put two-and-two together because I was so used to feeling bad; I finally realised I was having withdrawals from it…that was a sinking feeling and just a really low time,” he explains.

“I had to wean off very gradually. Unfortunately it was the only pain medication that didn’t have initial side effects and was effective; I like to think I have a high tolerance for pain, but that was a type of pain that made me desperate for some sort of relief.”

For four years after that surgery, Dan suffered through the pain of Crohn’s. Taking up guitar in that time, he finally made the decision to get out of the house and see where the world would take him.

“I’d sit and play guitar all day, so I started walking my dog Sarge around the Blue Lake near my place in the evening to get fresh air,” he says.

Training in Livigno, Italy with Dan’s coach Scotty Hawker.

Scotty Hawker

34

“One day I just decided to run a little and from there I made it my goal to make it all the way around without stopping – it’s 3.6km.

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

page 34 Dan descends Sasso Bianco (near Caprile, Italy) whilst training forContinued Lavaredo/TDS 2018.

Scotty Hawker

35

FEATURE CROHNS, TRAILS AND LIFE

At the summit near Livigno, Italy.

Scotty Hawker

Dan prepares for the 126km Lavaredo Ultra Trail in 2018.

Dan Whitehead

"It did take me a while, but I did it, and then I started trying to beat my previous times. I remember those first runs being harder than any workout or long run I’d done since! Eventually, my fitness started to improve and I felt so good for it. I hadn’t done any sport since I was diagnosed at 14, so it was that first glimmer of hope that I could feel better.

“I feel a bit emotional thinking about that time.”

Being an ‘all or nothing’ kind of guy, Dan came to the conclusion he wanted to try his luck at an ultra after learning about the sport from watching online videos. Without hesitation, he signed up for the Yurrebilla Trail 56km, a race held through national parks and conservation reserves under the Mt Lofty summit in the Adelaide Hills. He entered last minute after seeing that the cutoff was 11 hours.

“I figured I could walk a lot of I needed to,” he explains.

“The longest run I’d done prior was 15km, so I had no idea if I could do it, and that’s what made it so fun. I finished it in around 8.5 hours…I suffered a lot, but I loved every single moment.”

Since those first minutes around the lake with loyal Sarge, running has played a monumental part in Dan’s life, improving his health and helping him become fitter and stronger not only physically, but mentally too.

“The biggest turning point for my health though was my diet,” Dan reveals.

“Running motivated me to eat better so they go hand in hand. I put as much effort into my diet as I did training, and discovered I love to cook!

“Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms for people with Crohn’s, and it can be extremely debilitating. Obviously, I was training a lot back when I did ultras, so I’d get tired from that, but there was nothing I loved more than kicking back after training and resting. There’s a huge difference between that and the fatigue from a chronic illness.”

36

Dan hits the summit of Piza di Rin, his first time above 3,000m.

Scotty Hawker

Unfortunately Dan found himself sick the day after running the TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savole) in 2018, winding up in a French hospital. Flying home to Australia only to land in hospital again, he has since struggled with his running and health.

“I don’t know if it was the race that brought it on or if it would have happened anyway, there were no warning signs or symptoms leading up to it all, it just came out of nowhere which is what Crohn’s can do,” he says.

Today, Dan is still running and gets out on a short loop of trail he enjoys being on, but finds happiness on all sorts of tracks.

“It loops around Crater Lake, and I’ve run over 10,000km on that trail, training for ultras doing thousands of hill reps on the same hill, but somehow I still manage to love it!” he says.

“Within Australia, I love the Blue Mountains; I’ve run UTA and Mount Solitary multiple times and absolutely love going up there, it’s beautiful. I also love Bogong 2 Hotham, the classic Aussie race, so rugged and incredible.

“Life for me now is a bit of a yoyo. Medication is helping me keep my Crohn’s under control and I feel good at times, but some weeks I’ll feel incredibly flat. I just have to keep truckin’ on though. It’s one day and one step at a time for now. There’s so much running that I still want to do, so I’m not giving up. I’d love to get over to New Zealand in the near future now that the borders are open.

“I’ve had some incredible experiences racing. I’ve seen some truly amazing parts of the world I’d never have seen otherwise. The experience of standing at the start line unsure of yourself, but ready to give it everything, and the feeling of satisfaction and relief when you put it all together and accomplish your goals is unlike anything else.

“Ultimately when I think of running, it’s about the early morning, the sun rising, and I’m flowing along a nice piece of single track alone with my thoughts.

“I love running, because it is that simple.”

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FEATURE WORDS: VERA ALVES IMAGES: SEAN BEALE, SUPPLIED/MADELEINE COLLINS

IN THE

World

OF MAGICAL MADELEINE

SHE’S BEST KNOWN AS ‘HALF’ OF LACTIC TURKEY EVENTS, AND HER SMILE AND GOOD HUMOUR ARE A CONSTANT FEATURE AT FINISH LINES OF THE RACES SHE CO-ORGANISES WITH HUSBAND SHAUN. BUT MADELEINE COLLINS’ CONNECTION TO THE TRAILS RUNS MUCH, MUCH DEEPER THAN WHAT EVERYONE SEES ON THE SURFACE. VERA ALVES FINDS OUT HOW HARD MADELEINE PUSHES HERSELF AND HOW SELF-BELIEF IS THE ONE TRUE ATTAINMENT TO SUCCESS.

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ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

There’s some HEAVY terrain out there for the 2022 Revenant Ultra Adventure Run. Sean Beale

39

FEATURE IN THE WORLD OF MAGICAL MADELEINE

Madeleine on a training run.

Supplied

M

adeleine Collins doesn’t really remember a time when running was not a part of her life. She was about five years old when her dad had a health scare that saw him quit smoking and take up running.

“Throughout my childhood he would run every weekend and do marathons when he could,” she recalls.

“At school at this time my four brothers and I were always capable runners, competing in cross country and long distance athletics events and doing a bunch of sports but nothing serious.”

Her dad ended up befriending two other runners from the building where he worked, it being a case of ‘different floors and companies but same shower room so they became buddies.’

One of them was Shaun Collins’ father – yes, the father of ‘Mr Running Beast’ himself, the other half of Lactic Turkey Events, and purveyor of many moments of suffering and muddy joy for Kiwi trail runners across the years. That Shaun, her husband and the father of her three 40

daughters.

Adventure Runs In The Family The other guy in their three-person running group was an orienteer and got Madeleine and Shaun’s dads hooked on orienteering. Eventually, the kids caught the bug too. Through orienteering, Madeleine felt like she had a purpose for her running and, over time, she grew to love it.

“Through my teens and early 20s, I was in the New Zealand orienteering team attending various Australia-New Zealand competitions, as well as international events including junior and open world champs,” she explains.

“Shaun and I lived overseas for a couple of years, partly with the intent to compete more. Once we returned to NZ there was less orienteering so we transitioned to trail running.”

Love for the trails grew quickly, as it so easily does in New Zealand, powered by the stunning landscapes but, most importantly, the community.

“I’ve found it easy to want to stay in the sport through the years because the people are so awesome and there’s always somewhere new to explore,” she says.

The couple, who live in West Auckland and have the Waitakere Ranges as their backyard, are heavily involved in the community both as runners, event organisers and just overall good sorts who everyone knows they can go to for help.

Over the years, Madeleine has juggled full time jobs, event organising and raising three incredible women – now all in their teens – while also keeping the running fire stoked.

“Living with Shaun is like having a best bud who’s also into running and constantly dreaming up new adventures,” she says, adding that her husband’s enthusiasm for the trails, coupled with her own fierce passion for them, often helped pull her out of times when running felt a bit hard.

Madeleine doesn’t shy away from talking about those difficult times either, because she knows they’ve contributed to shaping

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

in what has so far been the running challenge of a lifetime: the Revenant, a 200km ultramarathon with more than 16,000m of vert (or much, much more depending on how good you are at navigation). No one finished the event this year, which, in itself, is enough of a statement to how hardcore it is.

Madeleine managed a solid 32 hours of running over two nights, through more matagouri and spaniards than she’d like to see again in her lifetime, before tapping the whiskey bottle and tapping out of the race.

“Two nights with a total of about 45 minutes of sleep is quite hard on the body it seems,” she says, matter-of-factly.

One of Madeleine’s favourite family photos.

Supplied

so much of who she is today.

“There have been a few times in the last 20 years that have scuppered my running,” she remembers.

“Pregnancy was very difficult for me, every time, so doing it three times in four years was challenging and I hardly ran at all. But I missed it so much that by the time the last one was out, I was desperate and was back to training soon after.”

Within a year, she was back out there, racing in an Olympic triathlon, and also back on the trails, running and orienteering.

The concussion led her to delve deeper into the world of meditation and, in a roundabout way, she has found in it some strong lessons to take on the trails. These days, she feels even more strongly about her mental strength.

“I don’t engage with any negative thoughts in my head. I worked on this a couple of years ago through meditation in my head injury and I’ve transferred it to running.

If I’m tired and the hill is big, I have a few strategies,” she says.

Bigger, Bolder Challenges Earlier this year, Madeleine found herself

“But oh my I would do it again in a heartbeat. I loved it so much and the privilege of being the only person still out on the course in the early hours of Saturday morning with no moon and billions of stars is unforgettable and totally worth feeling munted for a week.

“I was blown away that I was out on course longer than anyone else; that for the last three or four hours through that second night I was the only person still going, but despite that, I had no desire to quit. My headspace was positive and focused pretty much the whole time (except for about an hour around checkpoint 14 on the first lap). Even halfway through the second night of no sleep and 30+ hours of being on my feet and not having been able to eat since the

At 35-years-old, after a massive back injury, she was told by doctors she ‘probably wouldn’t be a runner again.’

Well, it’s no spoiler to go ahead and tell you the doctors were wrong. A year of rehab and learning to run again and she was back. With a missing disc, but she was back nonetheless.

Fast forward to 2017 and a concussion saw her, once again, stepping away from the beloved trails. The head injury meant Madeleine had to slow down and listen to her body, accepting that recovery could take a while. But one thing she is proud of: she never, ever gave up.

“I have pretty much always run except for when my body couldn’t, I’ve always enjoyed it, I’ve always felt better when I do and I can’t imagine ever not being able to,” she says.

Earlier this year, Madeleine ran in the 2022 Revenant Ultra Adventure Run. Sean Beale

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FEATURE IN THE WORLD OF MAGICAL MADELEINE

with the people around her. Her memory bank is filled to the brim with great moments spent on trails.

“I love that moment of orienteering or running and your breath is taken away by the beauty of where you are. Whether it’s the bright green moss carpeting the floor in a beech forest, the glacier in the distance, the rolling perfection of pasture land or summiting Tongariro at dawn.

These are the moments that stick with me,” she says.

“This is also when I most often injure myself. I’m known to trip over because I’m so busy looking around I forget to look down. And dawn, always dawn, I love running from the very early morning and witnessing the day unfold around me with all its layers.”

Madeleine and two other runners in the 2022 Revenant Ultra Adventure Run check in on each other.

Sean Beale

previous afternoon, I just kept going, just kept doing the next task ahead of me while being astounded by my surroundings.

“That I was able to be by myself and do that course and happily keep going was so much more than I expected of myself.

So the biggest lesson is self-belief. The realisation of what I am capable of. It’s pretty cool.”

Madeleine’s enthusiasm is infectious and you would be forgiven for finding yourself with your computer mouse arrow hovering over the registration button for some crazy event after just one chat with her.

A couple of months after the Revenant, thanks to a post-tib tendon injury in two separate places in two separate incidents during the race, Madeleine still can’t run.

But she can walk, cycle and do strength work and her mind hasn’t strayed far from trails, plotting some fastpacking missions and daydreaming of the day her injury heals and she can move at a quicker pace Her endless positivity about her recovery is fuelled, in part, by some very specific goals she has in mind, including Crater Rim Ultra and WUU2K, but she is also passionate about having regular doses of adventures in her life. Most of all, she wants to reconnect with the community that has brought her so much joy over the years.

“My training for the last year has been quite focused and anti-social so I’m going 42

to do more group runs this year and actually talk to people,” she says.

“I have done a plan for once I am up and running and it involves aiming for an adventure most months. Some of the ideas are length of Kaimai Ranges, length of Tararua Ranges, laps of Te Aroha, and Milford-Kepler-Routeburn back-to-back days. I like to push hard in a race but I also love that feeling of just going and going at a forever pace so I really want to do plenty of both.

For Madeleine, adventure is an addiction – a good one she has no intention of quitting. And while she is not quite sure how far she can go, the one thing she knows is that she’ll get there, and then keep on going.

“Shaun and I have some fastpacking adventures planned too.This past year has really opened my eyes to what I can do – the ultra distances on repeat, running through not just one but two nights, having self-belief, having a super clear and positive mind. All these are things I’ve learned in the past 12 months and it blows my mind. It was unexpected.”

Positivity is a trendy word these days but, talking to Madeleine, it’s impossible not to feel like you’re getting a crash course into approaching tough challenges with the right mindset. Her unwavering enthusiasm for the outdoors and for pushing her own limits is the thing that leads her to push herself, but it’s also the thing that makes her relate so much to every single person who crosses the finish line at a Lactic Turkey event.

The trails have brought her more moments of pure joy than she can count over the years, as well as deep connections

Every person who DNF’s at the Revenant gets to tap the whiskey bottle; only the winner can open it and drink it.

Sean Beale

FEATURE

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ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

WORDS: ISOBEL ROSS IMAGES: RON TAIT, THE EVENTURERS

Aussie AN

AT BARKLEY

NOT LETTING LOCKDOWN AFTER LOCKDOWN GET TO HER, VICTORIAN ULTRA RUNNER ISOBEL ROSS SET HER SIGHTS ON THE EVER-POPULAR AMERICAN BARKLEY MARATHON, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT, AND ENTRANT-LIMITED, ULTRAS IN THE WORLD. HAVING RACED IT IN 2019, ISOBEL HAD DONE ONE OF THE 20MI LOOPS BEFORE AND WAS ADAMANT TO GIVE IT ANOTHER GO. CHASING THAT DREAM, SHE FLEW TO TENNESSEE, USA IN MARCH 2022 WITH EVERY HOPE, TRAINING PLAN AND STRATEGY IN PLACE, AND RECOUNTS HER EXPERIENCE IN THE LEAD UP TO THE NOTORIOUSLY DEMANDING RACE AND THE LAP SHE POLISHED OFF ONTO HER RESUME.

T

he Barkley Marathon is an entity unto its own. To fully understand the experience of participating in this race that ‘eats its young’ is to start at the beginning…the application process.

Now, before you get all excited and think this is where I drop the secret on how to get it in, it’s not! But it sure is part of the experience.

I first got into the 2019 Barkley when I was living in Canada, which in and of itself was completely unexpected. I participated and finished one loop, over time. I was sure I could do better a second time round, so updated my application and sent it off at the requisite time. In spite of knowing all the details on how to get in, I was still nervous and freaking out and second-guessing myself as to whether I still had the right date and time. I must have, because I got in again!

Getting in once is no guarantee of being allowed in again, so I was super excited. I found out that I was in for 2020 the week

before I was to do GSER 2019 (which I won).

Sadly, I had to cancel my 2020 Barkley race the week before I was due to fly out thanks to the onset of COVID around the world; I was devastated. The entry was rolled over to 2021, and then 2022. Finally, the time of reckoning had arrived, and I could leave the country.

My partner Ron and I headed to Frozen Head State Park in Morgan County, Tennessee a week early so we would have time to get over jet lag and have a bit of a look around the park. Of course, being able to go at all came down to the 24 hours beforehand when we had to have a PCR test that thankfully came back negative. We were on! Other than that, travel felt much the same as the old days. Well, except for having to wear a mask the whole time on the plane, not my idea of being comfortable.

We arrived to balmy weather of around 22 degrees Celsius most days, it was beautiful.

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FEATURE AN AUSSIE AT BARKLEY

We had a nifty little campervan that suited our needs exactly and was comfortable.

We ran the trails under blue sky and warm sun, in singlets and shorts. Was it summer, or was it winter? We couldn’t tell. The only clue was in the leafless trees; something we are not used to coming from Australia with our evergreens. We sat by the campfire at night, sipping hot cocoas and relaxing; it was idyllic. So much so, that Ron proposed to me!

If it all sounds too good to be true, that’s because the race hadn’t started yet! The day before the event, I got my race number and we saw the map which I had to copy over onto my own. Unfortunately, this was also the day that winter set back in and the heavens opened. It was pouring rain that day, true Barkley weather, and nothing could stay dry. We had limited cover so we did a quick copy then headed into Knoxville and sat in the laundromat to finalise my good maps.

I went to bed that night around 8pm, and Ron got up at midnight to stay awake for the conch. Unluckily for him because it didn’t blow till 6.54am, and it woke me anyway. My nerves the night before had been pretty bad, not just because of the nature of the race itself, but also the feeling of imposter syndrome. I felt like who was I to be here with all these other athletes – John Kelly and Courtney Dauwalter to name just two. However, something really put it into perspective for me. Someone had commented on Ron’s post about our engagement saying that they had been looking for updates about the race, but this was even better. That’s when I realised that although this race was really important to me, what’s really important in life is our relationships to friends, family and partners.

Love is truly what life is all about. Racing is simply the icing on the cake! I kept telling myself that ultimately, I do this for fun; as hard as it is, I do enjoy it, but regardless of the outcome I still have the people I love in my life. It did help and although I was nervous, I wasn’t having a panic attack like in 2019.

After his pre-race pep talk, where Gary Cantrell aka Lazarus Lake reminded us it was a self-extraction race only with no-one coming to save us if we got lost, he lit his cigarette, and we were off! I didn’t want to be up the back and get left behind like last time, so I was up the front and darted through that gate ‘like a startled rabbit’, as Ron so eloquently put it.

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We soon hit the hills, then off trail and it was on. The steep, steep climbs on slippery leaves that are wet underneath is something to experience, especially when the legs and body are cold. Not too far into the race, and I was with a group of guys, from Northern Ireland, Lithuania and a few from the US. It’s hard to adequately describe the race without giving the details away, but I got the first few books whilst in this group, then felt more confident and pressed forward a bit faster with a Frenchman who had joined us.

We nailed the next book, and a German woman and the man she was running with joined us, but only long enough for us to help them get back on track after getting lost. They darted off and Alex (Alexandre Ricaud) and I continued. The other two joined us once more after getting lost again and seeing us in the distance on the correct course. They were quick to follow when it suited them!

The next book was much trickier, and we couldn’t find it. We met up at this point with Richard Sparks, who I had met in 2019 at Barkley when I ran with his friend Sarka.

We decided to team up as two are always stronger than one alone. We went and searched for the book whilst the others sat and talked about what to do. Unbeknownst to Richard and I as we looked, other runners turned up and showed them the book. So Richard and I were now a fair bit behind.

But ultimately, I knew by that stage that we would be over time. When we eventually found the book, there was much excitement and celebrating, however we knew we had to keep moving, and it was onwards and upwards.

And up.

And up.

At times I was on all fours crawling on my hands and knees, grasping at mud and rocks to keep moving forward.

In true Barkley, off-trail form, I was climbing an overhang and the sapling I grabbed hold of snapped. I managed to grab a root and was left hanging in the air. I swung myself up and climbed on, an acrobatic feat fear alone made possible. By this time icy rain was falling, made worse when I realised my rain jacket had been ripped by the briers earlier.

It was cold, tiring and slipperier than ever; one step forward, one slide back. But what an adventure! Before the race, I’d decided not to wear the calf guards I had used last time as

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

ALL ABOUT THE BARKLEY MARATHON To earn the title of Barkley Finisher, runners must complete 5 loops of a 20mi trail LOCATION: Frozen Head State Park, Wartburg, Tennessee USA CUT OFF TIME: 60 hours to complete all 5 loops ELEVATION: Total elevation gain approx. 60,000ft after all 5 loops TERRAIN: Blazed trails in the woods, lots of switchbacks, thorns, briers, slippery fallen dead leaves on mud, creek crossings, fallen trees, mining holes, relentless uphills requiring poles or hands and knees CONDITIONS: Only racers are allowed on the course; no spectators allowed; support crew of 1 person only must wait at the campgrounds BACKGROUND: First official Barkley was run in 1986; only 15 individuals have finished a Barkley Marathon; race day always kept a closely guarded secret

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FEATURE AN AUSSIE AT BARKLEY

they were a bit uncomfortable, and I hadn’t remembered too many briers. Clearly my memory is faulty, because there were tons of briers, and my shins and calves got ripped to shreds. Let me tell you, briers ripping at your already torn up legs is a painful experience I don’t ever want to repeat. They were tearing at my arms and ripping at the buff around my neck. But I had no choice. I had to push through the briers in spite of the pain and forge on.

We had trouble finding another book, eventually got it, then moved on to the final book. This came at the end of another monstrous climb. We grabbed that page (not that it really mattered anymore, it was more a matter of pride) and got our legs rolling down the final descent. We were so cold by this stage, and both out of water. We both took turns slipping and tripping, but got there in the end.

As we came closer to camp we could detect the sweet scent of campfire, which was the best smell in the world! It was around midnight, and we were well over time. In fact, I finished in about the same amount of time as back in 2019. I was, of course incredibly disappointed, but happy we made it back. I was so glad we had worked together; the sense of camaraderie out there is always something to be remembered.

It all starts to get real for Isobel.

Ron Tait

We had taps played at the gate, and then it was off to hot showers.

The next morning, I woke to overwhelming sadness and disappointment about my run but to be honest, after two years of COVID lockdowns in Melbourne with very limited training, especially nav training, I needed to put it in perspective. It was such a thrill to be out of the country and racing the trails in America, and the Barkley Marathons to boot! I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever be lucky enough to participate in this race. What an absolute privilege!

Before the race I was adamant this would be my last attempt at Barkley. Of course, as the memory of the pain and torment fades, I start to wonder what I will be doing around this time next year…

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Isobel checks in with Lazarus Lake for her second Barkley Marathon.

Ron Tait

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FEATURE WORDS: MATT PEARCE IMAGES: PIOTR BABIS, DREW BESWICK, GARETH HINDS, MATT PEARCE, LINCOLN QUILLIAM

MAD

Mission

FIVE MATES, A MOUNTAIN AND AN FKT IT’S A ‘CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE’ ISN’T IT? AN FKT ATTEMPT. YOU CAN MAKE IT YOUR OWN BY DESIGNING A MAPPED OUT COURSE TO YOUR CHOOSING, OR YOU CAN TRY TO BREAK SOMEONE ELSE’S RECORD ON AN ALREADY EXISTING ONE. FIVE TASMANIAN FRIENDS SET OFF TO COMPLETE THEIR OWN FKT IN THE SOUTHERN RANGES TRAVERSE DOWN AT THE MOST SOUTHERN END OF TASMANIA LATE LAST YEAR SEEING AS THEIR PLANNED 100 MILER WAS PUT ON HOLD. RUNNER MATT PEARCE DETAILS HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT, AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE NOT ONLY FINISHING A 9-DAY BUSHWALK IN ONE HIT, BUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE IT ALL WITH CLOSE MATES.

The Start Of Something Great This adventure had been in the planning since mid 2021 when COVID again put running events on hold, including the Alpine Challenge 100 miler we had signed up for (November to April 2022) – we, being myself and mates Lincoln Quilliam, Gareth Hinds, Drew Beswick and Piotr Babis. After some discussion about possible adventures, the Precipitous Bluff (PB) south coast circuit was decided and ideas then started to form. Our plan in the end was to complete the full 9-day bushwalk in one push.

With any adventure in remote parts of Tasmania, planning and weather play vital roles in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Accordingly, an 8-day weather window was established with route planning considering how long the run would take, the nature of the tide at New River Lagoon and what parts could be safely traversed at night by headtorch. With all the preliminaries established and hugely supportive and understanding families, we set off early on the Friday afternoon in two cars towards Cockle Creek where we would leave one vehicle (Matt’s very comfy Triton) and then pack ourselves in the other to get a feed at the ever-reliable Dover Golf Course before heading out to the carpark at Lune River and the start of the track.

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We were up at 2am in high spirits, the weather was perfect and predicted to be so for the next three days and the level of stoke amongst the five of us was high. Despite our best intentions of getting started by 3am, we headed off about 20 mins later after all of us needing to undertake various iterations of bag packing to fit everything in that we needed for the run. When you’re out in the wild Tasmanian wilderness, you can’t take any chances on safety, so despite the extra weight and hit on the real estate in our running packs, we made it work.

Tracks & Trails The first part of the track through the old mine area and then through the light bush until the first major climb is relatively easy going and we were able to keep a decent cadence going until we reached the start of the climb. The damage from strong winds of the last few weeks was evident everywhere, and Lincoln was on trail maintenance duties moving broken limbs, relocating fallen trees, and ensuring that markings were visible for others who would follow.

We made it up onto hill one just before sunrise and the views were spectacular down over Cockle Creek, Dover, Southport and beyond. It was hard not to be excited having now started

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

THE FACTS ADVENTURE: FKT (Fastest Known Time attempt) DISTANCE: 88km APPROX. VERTICAL GAIN: 4900m TYPE: Unsupported CONDITIONS: Favourable, light breeze, sunny LOCATION: Southern Ranges Traverse and South Coast Track, Tasmania, Australia DATE:

27-28 November, 2021

PARTICIPANTS: Matt Pearce, Lincoln Quilliam, Gareth Hinds, Drew Beswick, Piotr Babis

Where heaven and earth meet.

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FEATURE MAD MISSON

something we’d been planning and talking about for so long. We continued along to Moonlight Ridge as the sun came up behind us and illuminated the range. The first glimpses of PB were mesmerising, the dolerite face standing timeless in the distance as if supporting the whole western edge of the Southern Ranges, looking down over the coast and New River Lagoon. This was probably one of the best weather days you could ever get on the Southern Ranges and the views and feeling of the place were humbling.

We ran easily across Moonlight Ridge, with the track nicely marked and views from every angle and stopping every so often to take it all in and high five each other as we pinched ourselves at our good fortune. We were moving quickly and making good time, shortly finding ourselves at Pindar’s Peak. We’d travelled 21km in a matter of hours and the arrangements we had made with our families to have brunch together Sunday morning were discussed, laughing that we may even have to wake them up when we got back we’d be so early. Under 30 hours? We could even do this in under 24 hours…little did we know.

Getting Real From Pindar’s Peak From the descent of Pindar’s Peak, things started to get real. The track at this stage was still relatively identifiable with lots of scrub present and reasonably easy to push through; however it was quickly replaced by scoparia plants higher than our heads, so close in fact that identifying a path at all was often difficult.

You can’t mention scoparia amongst Tasmanian bushwalkers and runners without provoking enough fear to turn the most hardened outdoors-person white with panic. The alpine plant species is tough, spiky and relentless; beautifully well adapted to surviving the toughest Tasmanian conditions and tearing apart the most resilient outdoor gear and human skin, without even trying.

We pushed on, though, through the endless forests of scoparia, seas of cutting grass and other random scrub as we made our way

across to the plateau before Wylly Plateau. Our thoughts of sub 24 hours quickly vanished, and we focused on making sure that we could get through to the South Coast track by nightfall. Talk turned to what type of fun we were now having, and we took some reprieve from the scoparia along Leaning Tea Tree Saddle and them on to Wylly Plateau where we took stock of our food supplies and continued on.

I’d like to say the track conditions got better, but in fact they got worse as we bashed our way through endless scoparia, waded through thigh-deep mud and looked at every opportunity for any running water that could be drinkable.

We descended Wylly Plateau and pushed through Kameruka Moraine on our way to PB base camp. The climb up PB is reasonably well marked and although there is quite a bit of quite physical hands and legs climbing, it was a welcome reprieve from the scrub bashing that proceeded us for the previous seven hours.

Night Comes Quickly Climbing PB was amazing. The power and presence of the mountain could be felt in every step, every hand hold. It stands timeless, as it has been for thousands of years, observing everything that comes before it – weather, people, animals and time. Across the Saddle we looked for the route to the summit.

After scratching around, we found the track by following some loosely stacked cairns and traversed to the summit. The sun was beginning to sink lower on the horizon meaning we only had a few hours light left so we revised our plan and aimed to make sure we would be at the Lagoon by nightfall.

The first part of the descent is reasonably well made and the track easily identifiable. The iconic dolerite pillars framed the lagoon down below as the sun was dropping lower on the horizon. Some parts required down climbing but we were still making okay time and reaching the lagoon by nightfall seemed achievable. The western face of PB is very old forest and has several marked and unmarked sinkholes right throughout, so it was important to try

THe scenery is breathtaking heading up to Precipitous Bluff.

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FEATURE MAD MISSON

and remain on track to avoid discovering unmarked sinkholes.

We persevered for some time, trying to overlay the GPS file with what we could find in front of us, but it was futile.

We bashed our way through the scrub still trying to keep loosely in line with the GPS file when we stumbled across some more tape and were reunited with a sort of track. It was a great feeling and we tried diligently to stay with it and keep looking for pieces of tape no matter how long it took to make sure we stayed on course. This served us well until we came across a large cave system where we found fresh running water and a sign indicating that the cave had been used for recreational purposes and was safe to be inside.

It was 11pm and we were now fully by headtorch. The worst of the descent was over, and we were feeling optimistic. Out of the cave there was an abundance of tape for a short while and then it disappeared again, and we needed to route back to the cave to find our bearings. We eventually found the lagoon and whooped with delight. A group hug ensued, and we decided to push on rather than stop for any substantial food whilst we still had a low tide.

The wade through New River Lagoon was largely pleasant and it was mostly below thigh deep except where we encountered small rivulet run outs. We made good time and before we knew it (almost three hours) we had made coast and stopped to change socks and eat some more snacks at the Prion Beach campground.

The South Coast Track is largely unremarkable by night, but the clear tracks were a welcome relief from the track we encountered from Pindar’s Peak onwards. There were only 35km left to go, or so we thought. We made it to Surprise Bay as the sun was coming up, and there was a sense of relief. We soon realised we’d been going for more than 26 hours nonstop and knew we had at least another 7 hours in front of us.

As The Sun Rises On we ran, moving quickly as we made our way to Granite Beach.

From here we had some more climbing to do up and over the South Coast Range. This is where the track condition deteriorates significantly, and we were back to deep mud and overgrown track.

For such an iconic walk this track needs some serious attention, the lack of maintenance is obvious and where new paths have been pushed in there is an absence of stabilisation work to prevent future degradation.

Lincoln Quilliam, Matt Pearce, Gareth Hinds, Drew Beswick and Piotr Babis.

Fatigue on some of us was starting to show, we had now been pushing for more than 30 hours and except for one lone walker we met after Granite beach, we’d not seen anyone until Lion Rock.

We ran along the duck boards on our way home and passed groups of day walkers as we went along the track and started talking about all the food we would eat once we got to the car park where Matt’s ute was parked. As we made our way to the finish, we could hear the cheers of our families who were waiting to greet us – it was quite emotional, we had done it!

A single push of what is on average a 9-day bushwalk in some of the hardest terrain you will find. High fives and hugs were given and we all raced for Matt’s ute each giving it a big kiss and waiting for the doors to unlock to get amongst the food bounty stored inside.

This was the hardest adventure we have done so far, and it’s special to share these adventures with close friends. Definitely an adventure with all the types of fun!

The soft sands were a welcome relief for the five runners.

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September 3rd - 4th

SIGN UP Escape to Paradise

FEATURE WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: ASTRID VOLZKE, SPUTNIK

TOO MUCH IS

Never ENOUGH

THERE’S A TRAIL RUNNER ON THE WEST COAST OF AUSTRALIA WHO’S KNOWN TO HAVE ALL THE FUN WHEN IT COMES TO RACES. HE’S EVEN PULLED OUT A PAIR OF BUDGIE SMUGGLERS AT A BACKYARD ULTRA WHEN THE WEATHER TURNED UP THE HEAT, AND DANCED AT THE START LINE TO MESS WITH HIS ‘OPPONENTS’. BUT DESPITE THE HILARITY AND FRIVOLITY, KEVIN ‘BK’ MATTHEWS IS A MEAN DEMON ON THE TRAILS WHO DOESN’T TAKE TO GIVING IN EASILY, AND AT 55 YEARS OF AGE, HE’S JUST GETTING STARTED. IN 2021, KEVIN BECAME A TRIPLE THREAT WHEN HE TOOK ON THE DELIRIOUS W.E.S.T 200 MILER (OCTOBER), THE FERAL PIG 100 MILER (NOVEMBER) AND THE HYSTERICAL CARNAGE BACKYARD ULTRA (NOVEMBER) IN QUICK SUCCESSION ONE AFTER THE OTHER. TALKING WITH KATE DZIENIS, BK REVEALS HIS EXPERIENCES WITH HIS BEST YEAR YET, AND HOW HE JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND GOING.

B

K, as he’s affectionately known, is a beast on the Aussie trails. But the intensity at which he trains and races is quite the opposite to his personality – funny, compassionate, and always endearing when seeing friends or making new ones.

I like to call him ‘The Godfather’ of the WA racing circuit; not necessarily for bringing to the forefront or developing anything in the running community, but for his nature of nurturing athletes to be their best, and encouraging them at any moment in time.

Now aged 55, BK (which stands for Big Kev) started running shortly after turning 41 and got straight into the sport by training for Comrades in South Africa.

More than 10 years later, and he’s faster, stronger, and better than ever.

His first ultra was the Bunbury 50km in the lead up to Comrades, utilised as a training run to see where he stood 56

physically and mentally before heading offshore. Since then, he’s been raging on the trail scene, averaging about two ultra races a year – but in 2021, BK took a massive leap and found himself revelling in no less than eight ultras throughout the course of the year – his shortest at 46km, and his longest at a whopping 350km.

Last year, BK took on a ‘triple crown’ of long distance events, taking on the Delirious W.E.S.T 200 miler (350km) on 6 October, the Feral Pig Ultra 100 miler on 6 November, and the Hysterical Carnage Backyard Ultra on 19 November – including training runs, that meant he covered over 1040km in just a mere five to six weeks (trust me, I looked at his training spreadsheet and calculated it myself).

“2021 was a stellar year for my running,” he admits.

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BK makes his way along the single tracks of the 2021 Feral Pig 100 miler.

Astrid Volzke

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FEATURE KEVIN MATTHEWS

“It involved a lot of redemption runs and a lot of ultra events. Total mileage for the entire year was 5700km for a 110km average weekly total; not a massive total, but a lot of those kilometres were racing.

“In fact, nearly 1600km was spent with a bib on my chest, which means nearly 30 per cent of my running was in races.

“My highlight of the year was running the Delirious W.E.S.T in early October and then the Feral Pig in early November before finishing off the trifecta of pain with the Hysterical Carnage two weeks post Feral. In my defence, this was never planned because Delirious was originally pencilled in for February before another COVID outbreak (of one case) with WA shut down for two weeks, so the race was postponed.

“By this time, I’d entered Feral and Hysterical, committing to both, but there was no way I was going to wait another four months afterwards to run Delirious in February of 2022 – running Delirious was a redemption run for failing to finish it in 2020.

“I knew the three races would need to be tackled in quick succession…what could possibly go wrong?”

But what’s the strategy behind completing these trail runs one after another?

BK’s been running for well over 10 years.

His physical capacity to tackle the single tracks, the compacted limestone paths, and the pea gravel circuits and water crossings is thoroughly engrained in his DNA now. It’s unfair to call him a machine, because we do have to remember that he’s human, and humans feel experiences like nothing else on the planet, but when he’s in running mode, watching him pass you by is like witnessing history in the making, and it could be easy to think that he was created by a semi-psychotic scientist with a penchant for evolutionary greatness.

“What do I put down this continual racing strategy to?” he questions.

“Well, I personally think the ultra marathon is such a mental race, that once you reach a certain level of physical fitness, you can tackle these races close together, albeit you’ll eventually need to pay the piper, so to speak. There will be a price to pay for continual racing, and that may be a slower finish time combined with a more uncomfortable racing experience due to added fatigue.

“But if you’re prepared, you can move forward and just enjoy the racing. For me, I run to race, so why not race more – simple logic really. Okay, this isn’t for everyone, and I’ve been lucky not to break down, but I do listen to my body and take care of niggles early. Prevention really is better than cure.

“I’m also ready to sacrifice position for the busier race calendar, preferring to race often and finish rather than concentrate on specific races and sacrificing races to be better prepared for a shorter racing calendar.”

Before his ‘trifecta of pain’, BK really put on a show last year when he landed as the Assist to Phil Gore’s win at Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra, which saw the two go head-to-head in a battle of laps, and both matching – and then beating – the Australian record of 46 laps, which was previously held by Chris Murphy and the Assist Barry Loveday at Big Dog’s Backyard World Championships (Int’l) in October 2020.

It begs asking him – what keeps BK going?

“Now that’s a great question…for the trail running, it’s the adventure side of the event. Like I mentioned, finishing time for me isn’t as important as actually just enjoying the event I’m running in. When you take away the pressure of chasing a finishing time, it’s so incredibly liberating,” he reveals.

“Delirious was so much easier than Feral, or even a backyard ultra, because it’s an adventure with good friends, your crew, fellow runners, and volunteers. Feral was the hardest of the three events because it was a ‘proper race’ where time does become a factor. A backyard ultra is just fun to start with, and then gradually it becomes more challenging, and it becomes you against the best you can be.

You’re basically testing yourself against what you think is your limit and trying to redefine it.

BK’s sense of humour and panache for flair is contagious.

Astrid Volzke

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“You can certainly go a lot further running a backyard ultra due to the comradery of everything and everyone around you, the format of the race, the enforced rest and relaxed pace…albeit the pace certainly seems a lot less relaxed towards the end of the event.

“To quote Lazarus Lake, ‘A backyard ultra is easy until it isn’t’.

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

None have laughed harder at a backyard ultra than those at the 2021 Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra when BK put on a pair of budgie smugglers to beat the heat.

Astrid Volzke

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FEATURE KEVIN MATTHEWS

“Finishing time for me isn’t as important as just enjoying the race.. when you take away the pressure of chasing a finishing time, it’s so incredibly liberating.”

Having a good feed at aid stations during the 2021 Feral Pig 100 miler is vital for BK. Astrid Volzke

Considering BK started running in his very early 40s, he firmly believes he has ‘peaked’ in regards to shorter distances, but is still chasing PBs when it comes to endurance targets.

“I feel that for racing shorter distances, I’ve definitely peaked. For pace, it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it’ and after 32 sub-3 marathons, I’ve given up on chasing my sub 2:40:00 dream,” he says.

“For longer distances, I feel I can maybe knock an hour or two off my 200 mile time and will be targeting a sub-65 hour Delirious W.E.S.T in 2023. The big goal is January 2023 when I take on the Australia Day Ultra 100km in an attempt to break the AURA (Australian Ultra Runners Association) 100km time for the M5560 age group, to go with my current M50-55 age group record for that distance (7:47:00)…I need to run quicker than 8:51:00.”

Always quick to offer advice when asked, BK is full of trail experience – as you can tell. And when the man speaks, he’s well worth listening to if you’re looking to get over the mark with training. He’s revealed that the best way to improve is to simply get out there and run the trails.

“It really is that simple,” he explains.

“Trail running uses different muscle loading compared

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BK headed off to South Australia from WA to race in the Hysterical Carnage in 2021, finishing a ‘triple crown’ of three ultras one after another.

Sputnik

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

to road runners. Your quads and hamstrings work harder as you’re continually stepping and adjusting to the uneven surface. As well as just running trails, I’d consider gym work, specifically targeting your major leg muscle group. There’ve been many studies recommending weight work for the older runner and I use a local gym.”

Endurance, according to BK, is all about training the mind.

“Over the last year, I’ve been working with Rob Donkersloot from Mind Focus Running, who has helped me develop strategies to help me cope with situations that may have otherwise derailed me,” he says.

“It’s all about various meditation techniques that can be tailored to your running adventures. I have used these techniques over the last few longer events, and they’ve certainly made a big difference.

“I’m also a big David Goggins fan and use his ‘When you think you are done and you have nothing left, you are at 40 per cent of your potential’ way of thinking. What I try to do is gain access to that other 60 per cent. If you can unlock that remaining number, you really can achieve results way beyond what you thought possible.

“This is massive to me for achieving your endurance goals.”

Training for BK consists of a lot of mental work to ensure his mental strength is just as strong as his physical self.

Sputnik

FEATURE WORDS: VERA ALVES IMAGES: INGRAM IMAGE LTD, PHOTOS4SALE LTD

PAWFECT

Trails

A GUIDE TO THE BEST NEW ZEALAND TRAILS TO RUN WITH DOGS YOUR DOG CAN BE THE BEST RUNNING BUDDY YOU HAVE. AND PERHAPS YOU’RE NOW AT A STAGE IN YOUR LIFE WHERE THE BOTH OF YOU ARE READY TO TACKLE THE TRAILS TOGETHER AND PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN JUST A DAILY WALK AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. NOT ALL DOGS ARE CREATED EQUAL THOUGH GIVEN THE HUNDREDS OF BREEDS AVAILABLE TO US, SO BEFORE YOU MAKE BIG PLANS WITH YOUR BESTEST FURBABY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION. VERA ALVES HAS PUT TOGETHER A TRAIL RUNNING DOG’S BUCKET LIST OF BEST TRAILS TO HIT AROUND NEW ZEALAND, AND PROVIDES AN INSIGHT INTO HOW TO GET STARTED.

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FEATURE PAWFECT TRAILS

I

don’t mean to start off by stating the obvious, but it’s an actual fact of life that dogs are the absolute best. Based on nothing but my own empirical evidence, I can state with complete certainty that it is biologically impossible to feel anything but joy while watching a dog galivant across a good trail. With the quality of trails and mountains in Aotearoa, New Zealand it really is dog heaven out there.

A KIWI DOG’S TRAIL RUNNING BUCKET LIST Every trail runner and their dog have a favourite local trail they like heading to.

If you’re reading this and are a dog owner, you probably know of a few tracks that your dog loves to run on. We asked a few Kiwi trail running dog owners to share their favourite dog-friendly trails with us, so get ready to add a few trips to your

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bucket list with your four-legged running mate.

Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua A well-known trail runner’s paradise, Whakarewarewa is also a great destination for any trail dog. Charlotte Sankey suggests going behind Blue Lake and Green Lake for the best off-lead areas in the forest but the whole place is, as Karen Jacobs-Cooke puts it, ‘a magical playground.’

Karangahake Gorge, Coromandel There are a range of dog-friendly tracks on the Karangahake Gorge to choose from, depending on your pooch’s fitness level.

Dogs must be on a leash in all of them so it’s not quite the same as the freedom that comes from off-lead running, but it’s still an incredible place to explore with its

native bush and gold mining relics. The Historic Walkway includes a number of swimming spots for your pup to cool off mid-run.

Tawatawa Reserve, Wellington Wellington trail runner Cate Shave loves taking her beloved trail companion Mr Foster on trails around Tawatawa Reserve on the south coast of Wellington. “It’s some off-lead and lots of on-lead trails with flats, undulations, stairs and hills for the complete workout,” she shares.

“There’s views both back right across Wellington city, across to the infamous Tip Track, and across Cook Strait to the South Island. And the WUU2K race passes right through it. Lots of different access points, and one of my favourite spots high up at this majestic pouwhenua.”

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Whitireia Park, Porirua

Canterbury (yes, pretty much all of it)

Jacqui Haggland and her dog Kara’s favourite place to run is Whitireia Park in Porirua. “Wide open space where dogs can run off lead, there are busy tracks but also a few ‘secret tracks’ where you can avoid people (and less well-behaved dogs). And most doggos love going for a dip in the harbour for a swim. There are also a few secret watering holes which is a bonus for the hot summer months,” Jacqui shares.

The whole Canterbury region is a trail dog’s paradise. As always, do check if dogs are allowed before you set off on a trail but, in Canterbury, chances are your furry friend is more than welcome to galivant up on the hills. From Port Hills to Craigieburn, there is no shortage of runnable trails that you can take your dog on. Mt Isobel, Mt Oxford, Mt Thomas… your dog is able to experience the joy of running up and down all of these. Did someone say Canterbury road-trip and running holiday? Me, it was me. I said it.

Te Ara Paparārangi, Wellington Eve Southan and her trail dog Jem recommend you take your four-legged running friend to Te Ara Paparārangi, where you’ll get what are possibly the most stunning views of Wellington Harbour running along the Harbour Escarpment from Waihinahina Park, through native forest. According to Eve, the trail has water drains to drink from, a plus for any dog-friendly track out there.

Saw Pit Gully, Arrowtown Queenstown-based trail runner Tristan Millen loves running with his dog Tala in Saw Pit Gully, Arrowtown. “It’s around 8-10km (10km if you add on German Hill as an option extra, which I always do!) and has a bit of everything,” he says.

“Some real grindy hills, most of it is goat trail which makes for awesome running, small pockets of native beech forest, open tussocks, multiple small stream crossings (so excellent for your dog to take a drink and have a cool down) and incredible views across to Brow Peak, Crown Peak, Big Hill, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and across the entire Wakatipu Basin! It really has it all for such an easily accessible trail,” Tristan adds.

Rock Peak, Otago Not far from Saw Pit Gully, along the stunning Crown Range Road, you’ll find the Rock Peak Track. Park in the Crown Saddle carpark (where the views are already outstanding) and make your way up the hill with your four-legged mate, all the way to the top of the peak. The track is wide open and while the terrain is not the most varied, the views more than make up for it.

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FEATURE PAWFECT TRAILS

TIPS TO GET STARTED There are quite a few things to keep in mind before turning your dog into a trail running companion.

Fitness Level And Overall Health First and foremost, you need to assess your dog’s overall health and fitness level.

A vet appointment could be useful to determine how much effort your pup is up for. If all is well, start your dog off on some nice easy trails before building up into bigger mountain expeditions. It’s also important to remember that some dog breeds just cannot run very far. Familiarise yourself with the characteristics of your dog’s breed to figure out how far they can go with you.

Additionally, keep in mind that dogs can easily become overheated and fatigued.

Always carry water or ensure there is some kind of water source on the trail. In the summer months, always run with your dog during the cooler parts of the day (even if it’s not too hot for you at midday, it’s probably too hot for them).

Behaviour Before taking your dog on trails for the first time, it’s a good idea to brush up on 66

obedience training and ensure your pup can be safe out there. How’s their recall?

Do they come back when you call them?

Practicing recall is a vital part of ensuring your dog is ready to become a trail dog.

big group of dogs all out enjoying the outdoors together. The dream, right? If you think your dog would enjoy it, why not sign up for a trail running race where dogs are allowed?

Find Out Where You Can Go

In the North Island, there’s the Eukanuba Tails n Trails, a doggy trail adventure that takes place in May in the beautiful Riverhead Forest, in west Auckland. You and your pup can choose between a 5km frolic or a 10km romp. All dogs must be on lead and you need to be prepared to pick up after your pup so pack the poop bags in your race kit.

If you are not sure if dogs are allowed on certain trails, check with the Department of Conservation (DOC) or the local council. In New Zealand, dogs are not allowed in national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. On public conservation land, there are three types of areas: open dog areas where dogs are allowed, controlled dog areas where you need a permit to take your dog, and areas where dogs are not allowed, even witah a permit.

If a permit is required, don’t let that put you off. Permits are easy to obtain from the DOC site, just make sure you plan in advance and request the permit a few days before you intend to hit the trails.

Keep in mind that some tracks are also off-limits to dogs during certain times of the year for reasons such as lambing, bird nesting or sheep measles.

Trail Running Races To Enter With Your Dog If one dog on a trail is good, imagine a

If you’re in the South Island, you can enter the 4 Paws Marathon at Bottle Lake Forest, in Christchurch. The event takes place in October and race distances include a 2.4km race ‘Rascal’s Run’ for little dogs, and then a 5km, 10km, 16km, half marathon and a full marathon.

If you can’t make any of these races, you can always join the Further Faster Mountain Dog Challenge, which involves summiting 10 different Canterbury peaks with your dog. There’s also a Greater Wellington version in the works (visit furtherfaster.co.nz for all the information).

ADVERTORIAL

ESCAPE TO THE INAUGURAL CAIRNS PORT DOUGLAS TRAIL ULTRA Escape to the inaugural Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra (CPTU) on the 3rd and 4th of September 2022. Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra answered the call to connect the two-holiday destinations on an epic trail ultramarathon running adventure. The CPTU cleverly achieves this through the stunning World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Regions in Tropical North Queensland (TNQ), through the historic town of Kuranda, and finishes on Port Douglas's iconic 4 Mile Beach. TNQ is famous for its vegetation and wildlife; expect to encounter King Ferns, "Wait-a-Whiles," giant stinging trees, crocodiles, cassowaries, and kangaroos.

CPTU is hosted by Race Directors of the Brisbane Trail Ultra (BTU). Expect all the bling and excitement that the prestigious trail running festival attracts. Like the BTU, beer, cocktails, burgers, and chips will be waiting for you at the Port Douglas Surfies Café right on 4 Mile Beach! CPTU course presents many challenges. It runs through three different councils and crosses under two significant highways to create a seamless trail running experience for the entrants.

Is the CPTU as brutal as the BTU? No! CPTU is a holiday compared to BTU! It is designed to be an excellent qualifying event for the Brisbane Trail Ultra BTU100Mi, with the longest distance being 122km. The vert is much smaller. Sections in the first 60km of the CPTU are technical. You might want poles, but the last 60km are extremely quick, and as a bonus, technically, the CPTU is a downhill event. We are expecting fast times from the following races; ▶ CPTU120 – 122km, 3600m Ascent, 3670m Descent, 4 ITRA Points, an instant qualifying event for the BTU100Mi Spartan Trail World Championship. ▶ CPTU80 – 81km, 1983m Ascent, 2025m Descent 3 ITRA Points, an instant qualifying event for the BTU100Mi Spartan Trail World Championship. ▶ CPTU40 – 42.9km 1320m Ascent, 1350 Descent, 2 ITRA Points, an instant qualifying event for the BTU60 Qualifying event. ▶ CPTU20 – 18.4km 1260m Ascent, 960m Descent, 1 ITRA Point, an instant qualifying event for the BTU30 Spartan Trail World Championship.

▶ CPTU10 Beach Smash – 10.9km, 96m Ascent, 96m Descent, an instant qualifying event for the BTU20. ▶ CPTU- Red Bull Climb, a race within a race part of the CPTU120, CPTU40 events ▶ CPTU – Suunto Summit, a race within a race part of the CPTU120, CPTU80, CPTU20 events. ▶ CPTU10 Beach Smash to the CPTU120, CPTU80, CPTU40, and CPTU20. There will be an overall award for the fastest and most indestructible trail runner for the weekend, plus the runner will have bragging rights for an entire year!

What's incredible about the CPTU is the ease of travel around the region. Cairns and Port Douglas are close to an international airport with loads of Taxis and Ubers to utilise. Enjoy a Family holiday and stay at the finish line at Port Douglas or grab a transfer back to your hotel in Cairns. The team has even arranged transfers back to the Airport from Port Douglas for the following two days.

Hurry, Entries are selling fast. Sign Up and join 500 plus runners in trail ultramarathon paradise and discover the wonders of Tropical North Queensland while racing the Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra.

The CPTU offers an exclusive 10% discount code to all TRM Subscribers: TRM2022.

Sign up here cairnsportdouglastrailultra.com.au

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FEATURE WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: MATT KORINEK FOR LULULEMON, NICK DAVIDSON, ADAM HADDRICK

Samantha has vast experience on trails, both on home soil and on international turf.

Matt Korinek

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ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

GETTING TO

Know SAMANTHA GASH

SAMANTHA GASH HAS BEEN NO STRANGER TO AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION SCREENS OF LATE. STARRING AS A CONTESTANT IN BOTH THE 2017 AND 2022 EDITIONS OF AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR, SAMANTHA HAS AN IMPECCABLE BACKGROUND AS AN ULTRA RUNNER BOTH ON HOME SOIL AND ON INTERNATIONAL TURF. LIKE SO MANY TRAIL RUNNERS, IT WAS IN 2008 THAT SHE DECIDED TO ENTER HER FIRST MARATHON DISTANCE AFTER RUNNING FOR JUST A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, BUT EVER SINCE THEN, RUNNING HAS TAKEN HER ON A JOURNEY FULL OF ADVENTURE, EXPERIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY. KATE DZIENIS SAT DOWN WITH SAMANTHA TO FIND OUT WHY SHE LOVES ENDURANCE RUNNING SO MUCH, AND HOW SHE COMBINED HER KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPORT WITH COMPETING ON SURVIVOR.

T

he resume behind Samantha Gash is impressive – the 4 Deserts Grand Slam (2010) that sees a total of 250km across the driest, windiest, hottest and coldest deserts on the planet; the 2011 La Ultra in India with 222km through the Himalayas; 379km across Australia’s Simpson Desert (2012) to raise $30,000 for Save the Children; 1968km across the gruelling Freedom Trail in South Africa (2014) again for charity, and there’s more including the Bali Hope Ultra, Sub Three Run and Run India.

Most recently, she’s been competing on the popular television show Australian Survivor together with husband Mark Wales, marking her second time in the reality spotlight.

Now a mother to a young boy, Samantha combined her knowledge and strength of endurance racing to become a fierce competitor on the show, and based in Melbourne, Victoria has firmly set her roots amongst the landscape as a running coach to help inspire and motivate other women.

You’ve done a few international ultras, like the Himalayas and running through India, all for charity. What is it about overseas running that draws you to those locations?

One of the most attractive things about running internationally is that you truly get to be a global citizen. When you’re running, you have these observations and you really get to understand the people. Some of the places I’ve been to are incredibly remote, you learn to appreciate the landscape, get to learn about culture, about people’s lives, and because running is a sport that pushes you to the extreme, the connection I think with land and humanity deepens because you’re going such a range of diversity.

Do you have a favourite international event?

I don’t really have a particular favourite, they’re all really different. Sometimes as a trail and endurance runner, it’s not really a matter of remarking on the event itself, 69

FEATURE SAMANTHA GASH

but remembering all those moments that were really hard, or when you were on the brink of quitting and find that moment where you continue to move forward, where you’ve given it the most effort to come through stronger the other end.

Is there a favourite trail near you in Melbourne that you would consider a favourite?

I really enjoy just the national parks around Victoria with beautiful canopies, the single tracks, the stunning surroundings.

How many kilometres do you run per week these days?

I’m not someone who has a stock standard set of kilometres I run per week or month, particularly now having become a mum and being a coach at Her Trails, which is an online platform for women who run – and it also depends on what I’m training for that will depend how much I run.

In between my business and Australian Survivor, I am finding just a little bit of time to train at the moment. I’m going off the grid for a few days on an expedition in Tasmania soon though.

In your eyes, what makes someone so great at endurance races?

The first thing is to be willing to show up and try. I think people completely underestimate what they’re capable of.

I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and say they could never run a half marathon, and my first questions to them are ‘Do you want to run a half marathon?’ and ‘Have you ever tried to run a half marathon?’

If the answer is no to either one of those questions, well they haven’t even given themselves a chance to try and see if they could do a half marathon.

What is about doing these distances that makes you so happy? You’ve talked about those trying times in between, those are the moments you remember, but what moment is it that really makes you happy?

It’s not a single moment, I don’t think.

It’s the way in which you choose to make that whole experience your lifestyle and connect it to all of your goals, the choice to spend more time outdoors, and the positivity that is typical of runners in these communities. It’s also about taking the time for self-care…so there’s not one single component of doing ultra 70

Samantha ran 379km non-stop across Australia’s Simpson Desert in 2012 to raise money for charity.

Nic Davidson

marathons that makes me like it. It’s the whole experience, the lifestyle, the community.

exploration, and creative structure to have freedom. I hope Harry picks up on that so he can choose to live a life that he wants.

How important is it for your young son to see you achieve these things and see you empower people with your support and encouragement?

Are there any trail or ultra runners that inspire you?

Putting aside why I do what I do, I just think it’s so important for Harry to see me do the things that I care about. Hopefully that will transfer to him saying and thinking to himself that he needs to do what he loves and what he’s passionate about. You can absolutely choose to live a life where you do things that you care about, whether it’s about a career or lifestyle activities and hobbies. I’ve been lucky enough to craft a career that lets me do things that I care about, like developing community connections, a sense of

Those who inspire me…all the women in my trail running community, that’s who inspires me. It’s the women who show up whilst still juggling everything else that life throws at them, putting on a headtorch at 7,30pm after their kids have gone to bed and heading out for that run or that training session. And those who share those experiences with other women to teach them how to do it. You know, in my community, in the Her Trails community, yes I’m a coach, but I get a lot out of our sessions just by being with all of these runners.

ISSUE 43 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

Samantha’s background in trail running gave her a physical and mental advantage during her time on Australian Survivor.

Adam Haddrick

Samantha taking on an immunity challenge in Australian Survivor during season 7.

Adam Haddrick

Being on Australian Survivor twice has given you a whole new level of experience and adventure that you’re always looking for. What was the reasoning behind entering the television show the first time?

The first time, I’d watched the show but probably didn’t appreciate how intense the game really was, it was absolutely a challenge I was looking for. The second time I went in with my eyes wide open and I was very clear about who I was, and what I wanted to do, how I wanted to play the game. To mentally and physically push yourself to the brink when you’re underfuelled, under-resourced, it’s all so very hard. The game has lots of challenges that I like though, and to be honest Australian Survivor has changed my life. It was brilliant to have an opportunity to get on the show for a second time, with my husband Mark.

With all those changes to your routine while being on the show, were you able to keep up with any of your running at all?

No, not at all. I was there to play Survivor.

I chose a goal, and completely immersed myself in that goal. Mentally, I wasn’t

training for an ultra marathon, I was there to play Survivor…being away from my kid; I was there to work to become the sole survivor to hopefully change my family’s life. So to go out and burn my energy and interrupt my end goal, it wasn’t sustainable especially because my body wasn’t getting what it would normally need. I was literally living on a couple hundred calories per day, so to go out for a training run when I was under-fuelled, ultimately putting my body at jeopardy, and a person has only got so much mental capacity for going for a run. For me, I run for a purpose; so if there’s no purpose, it doesn’t make sense. If I’m injured for the sake of just going out for a run during the show, I can’t do that. A big thing for me was to take care of my body, have selfpreservation, and always think about the long ‘run’, so to speak, and remind myself why I was there.

Everyone was there to play their own game, everyone had their purpose to be in there; if I went off for a 2km run, the contestants could possibly start plotting my demise out of the game and that’s just time I didn’t want to lose.

Was it hard to get back into running when you got home?

Yeah, it’s just like being injured. My body was not what it was when I came back from Survivor. It’s like having a hamstring injury, for instance – you’d have to come back from that with training that is done on a whole new level, under guidance. You of course have to build it up. It’s also like comparing it with the question, ‘What’s your body like after having a child?’ Your body doesn’t go back to pre-pregnancy mode straight away…you gradually do it all to look after yourself and get used to that vigorous returned movement.

What would say is harder? Australian Survivor or a 200 miler?

Oh, both are totally different with different challenges. But I’d probably have to say Survivor if I had to pick one. With a 200 miler, you’re around people who are supporting you, boosting your morale, and there with you every step of the way.

In Survivor it’s essentially ‘eat or be eaten’.

You do everything to make sure you’re the last person standing.

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IMAGE CREDIT: Kendal Mountain Festival 2019

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REVIEW

TRAIL SHOES // ALTRA LONE PEAK 6

WORDS AND IMAGES: KATE DZIENIS

PEAK PERFORMANCE COMES STANDARD So I hear from hardcore Altra users that once you go Altra, you never ever go back.

And quite frankly, after putting on a pair of these babies in the form of Lone Peak 6, I can absolutely understand and attest to the fandom that comes with having them.

Firstly, I’m just going to say that the zero drop on these is unbelievable. For someone who usually runs in an 8mm drop shoe, I was taken aback by the comfortability in a shoe that allows you to feel like you’re almost running barefoot, and I love how despite all its high-tech features, the Lone Peak 6 feels incredibly minimalistic on my feet – meaning there’s enough cushioning to soften the blow of trail terrain while at the same time I’m left feeling closer to Mother Earth and all of her nuances.

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I have quickly come to realise that the Lone Peak 6 allow me to absorb the impact of running, and its wider toe box helps with that. After having children, it’s widely known that pregnancy can indeed increase a woman’s foot size – in my case, my change to foot shape has been permanent and I’ve needed a much wider shoe in recent years. The Lone Peak 6’s wider-than-other-shoes’ toe box is abundant, and 100% accommodates swelling toes and improves pain/reduces the occurrence associated with blisters and bunions.

The wide toe box also allowed for my big toe to stay positioned straight, making me feel more stable along the compact limestone I usually run along. Stretching my toes at the end of my run in these was an absolute delight, and I didn’t feel a need

to take them off once I got in the car.

These are a high performance trail shoe, very much as versatile as a running shoe can get, and they conform to the natural movements of your feet. The air mesh remains the same as previous versions, so wet and muddy conditions won’t weigh you down due to updated drain ports that improve the flow of excess water. And random debris won’t find its way into your socks because of – and this is the best ‘ohmy’ moment ever – a Velcro attachment on the back heel where you can attach a pair of gaitors! To not have to race to the shops for Velcro, cut each piece up and stick them to the back of your shoe is one of the best ideas to date. Because who has time for that?

Onto the tech specs of the Lone Peak 6,

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THE LOW DOWN GREAT FOR: All terrains and weather conditions. This is a high performance shoe made for all levels of running NOT SO GREAT FOR: Long stints on concrete paving. With this being a trail shoe, it’s best to let it perform where it excels – on the trails TEST CONDITIONS: Flat, single track on dry crushed limestone, grass, cycle path TESTER: Kate Dzienis TESTER MECHANICS: Severe overpronator with wide feet, usually running in 8mm drop shoes.

VITALS RRP: $249 AUD / $279 NZD WEBSITE: altrarunning.com.au CONDITIONS: Shoes provided for testing by Altra

and it’s worth noting that MaxTrac outsole technology is utilised – a combination of grip, traction and durability to tackle more terrain. Basically, it’s the multidirectional lug pattern on the bottom of the shoe that allows incredibly outrageous grip. That being said, the Lone Peak 6 also features StoneGuard™ tech, which offers protection from rocks and branches underfoot. So whilst you may feel you’re running barefoot, you won’t get the cuts and bruises that come with it.

What’s more is that I can’t talk about all these tech features without mentioning the shoe’s EGO™ midsole, known as the ‘holy grail’ of running shoe cushioning and offering a fast and springy, yet comfortable and soft run response. It’s a technology that caters to the elite runner for its speed and to the recreational runner due to

softness underfoot. This midsole, along with the wide toe box, is Altra’s distinctive design, one that is highly engineered and built for performance.

The Lone Peak name in itself, for cult followers, is an iconic name and known to tackle most conditions and distances along with a stylish look. I wore the Lone Peak 6 shoes not only for training runs, but for my recent entry at Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra, which saw a combination of bike path, crushed limestone trails and grass. It got to a point where the shoe almost became an extension of my own body, and I forgot they were even on – isn’t that what we want all of our shoes to feel like?

The Lone Peak 6 comes in navy light blue, black green, and white green for women

while men can choose from black/gray, orange, and maroon colours. The only real difference between the Lone Peak 6 and its predecessor, the Lone Peak 5, is that there are three additional lace eyelets in the midfoot to lockdown the shoe better, they are only a fraction lighter in weight, and there is a slight variation from the shape of the upper, with less material for a decrease in ‘baggy’ appearance.

Overall, Altra’s Lone Peak 6 trail shoe is perfect for mixed terrain conditions, and performs exceptionally for those who are new to zero drop running. It’s definitely a workhorse runner, and Altra has done incredibly well to maintain the shoe’s adaptability as well as retain its notoriety as one of the best trail shoes on the market.

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REVIEW

TRAIL SHOES // BROOKS CASCADIA 16

WORDS AND IMAGES: KATE DZIENIS

HAPPY SWEET 16 CASCADIA The Brooks Cascadia shoe has been around for some time now, and the newest version, the Cascadia 16, has gone through several changes and updates that make it more durable and stable than its predecessors.

Known throughout its lineage for adventure versatility, Brooks have increased the stack height by 2mm in the Cascadia 16 to accommodate the new foamy midsole which features DNA Loft v2 technology for a more plush feel underfoot and added comfort.

That being said, I took these snazzy looking trail shoes out on some multi-use trails with dirt, crushed gravel and compact limestone. A completely light build at only 269g (the men’s version weighs 320g), the Cascadia 16 has a 14g variance – in the women’s – from the previous version, and that’s a big change. They were a secure yet light fit for me considering I always 76

run in a wide shoe, and was thoroughly happy with the support provided in thanks to the upper which has been completely reconstructed – including more room in the toe box.

As I concentrated on my toes to see how they were feeling, I took in how much the mesh upper allowed my feet to breath. The flexibility of the material is high quality and incredibly supportive, and I felt that the Cascadia 16 was true to size with great width in the toe box. Any swelling would have well and truly been catered to.

Designed for long runs in mind, the technology used in the Cascadia 16 has kept the reputative durability true to form. The midsole is dense and provides longevity, and as mentioned, features the DNA Loft v2 which through research is said to be 5% softer and 20% lighter than in previous

versions. DNA Loft is Brooks’ softest cushioning system that combines ethylenevinyl acetate, rubber and air (yes, air!) for on demand cushioning and protection from the terrain, and the company says they have found ‘the right amount of soft, with DNA Loft’. Super catchy!

So whilst I gained much comfortable ground, my terrain was not so cushy. The Cascadia 16 outsoles were flawless in grip (made from trail track rubber) and big lugs, providing me with an anchored run on the trails. Brooks have removed any lugs from the midsection though, which may have been a reason behind the decrease in weight, but the elimination of them hasn’t affected their Ballistic Rock Shield plate, a toughened thermoplastic EVA sheath between the outsole and midsole.

That system provides protection against sharp objects, and has been featured in the

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THE LOW DOWN GREAT FOR: All terrains and most weather conditions. As a high performance trail shoe, it’s suitable for even the most technical environments.

NOT SO GREAT FOR: Wet terrain. The rubber slides slightly on wet surfaces.

TEST CONDITIONS: Multi-use trails with dirt, crushed gravel and compact limestone.

TESTER: Kate Dzienis TESTER MECHANICS: Severe overpronator with wide feet, usually running in 8mm drop shoes.

VITALS RRP: $239.95 AUD / $279.90 NZD WEBSITE: brooksrunning.com.au CONDITIONS: Shoes provided for testing by Brooks Running

Cascadia series for quite some time now so it’s great to see they haven’t taken it away from the 16 shoe. Heading up the ascents and coming down on the descents, I felt good grip beneath me and didn’t hesitate to go a little faster when I could. With a solid heel and knowing there was a safeguard right at the bottom of my feet, the shoes were sturdy and fit well.

Overall performance for the Cascadia 16 was exceptional, and the design has moved forward with the times, becoming a more modern shoe with impressive angles and sleek construction. I even ran into some trail running friends mid-way on my favourite track, who all looked down when we stopped to chat and exclaimed, ‘Oh, those are the new Cascadias?!’ And after some talk about how they were feeling on my feet, I continued on with the thought about how runners really do love to know

what’s out there on the market and get an idea for what will work best for their needs.

The Cascadia 16 shoe is absolutely impressive when it comes to traction, stability and modern design. There’s even a Velcro tab on the back of the heel, hidden of course, to secure any gaiters in place – as minor as it sounds, I love that in a running shoe.

With a mid-drop of 8mm, running in the Cascadia 16 is a combination of balance and sturdiness, where you will dominate all types of terrain. I’ve always run in 8mm shoes, so there was no need to adjust to a different drop, and lacing them up with the stretch woven laces was satisfying – no one likes a stiff lace that won’t reach all the way for a solid heel lock, and there are two options for this thanks to not one, but two extra eyelets. I can confidently say there

were no issues for me in this department.

I’ve always preferred a heel lock, and find it disruptive to my training when the tension loosens. Brooks are onto a good thing with their eyelets and lace material.

The Cascadia 16 is by the far the best trail shoe out of the series. Personally, I love how protected my feet are when there’s every opportunity of a sharp twig or pebble underfoot, and the cushioning is just something else. Well-designed for all terrain, they come in a range of colours – black/ebony/yucca and aqua/tourmaline/ rooibos for women, and oyster/mushroom/ orange and yellow/black/grenadine for men.

Brooks has done incredibly well to keep the Cascadia 16 as an honest, reliable and protective shoe.

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TRAIL PORN INFERNO

TRAIL PORN

Athletes take running to the nex t level with Dante’s Inferno held in three regions across Italy ( Alpe Cimbra, Verona and Chianti) and in three separate stages – the Snow, Park and Mud editions. With each stage ranging bet ween 8km and 12km, athletes must use their strength, speed, dex terit y, bal ance and coordination to race to the finish. This year’s editions of Dante’s Inferno events will be held on 12-13 March, 14-15 May, and 8-9 October.

Images: Marco Gober

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TRAIL PORN TRANSCEND

The Transcend Ultra 65km is known in Western Australia to be one of the toughest endurance races in the state. Much of the race goes through numerous private properties in the Avon Valley, so runners can only traverse the full course during the event.

Marco NoE

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TRAIL PORN THE REMARKABLES

Runner Robyn Lesh tackles one of the endless ridgelines in the Remarkables Mountain Range in New Zealand, with Double Cone behind her and Lake Alta below.

Sean Beale

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WISE WORDS SUBJECT: SANDY WHITMARSH

SANDY WHITMARSH FOUNDER OF MUM RUNNER I was born in the UK but have been living in Perth, Western Australia for most of my life.

I grew up in the northern suburbs but then moved south of the river for about 10 years before moving north again. I discovered running when I lived south of the river, which is probably a good thing as most of the areas I ran were flat!

My first experience with running was in high school when we had to run 1 mile each PE class. I remember run/walking it and loathing it. Over the course of the term with consistency I was running the entire way and had one of the most improved times of the class. I then began to run with my mum, but I still really didn’t enjoy it. It wasn’t until age 30 after I had my last baby and was wanting to lose the baby weight that I returned to running and fell in love with it. Running seemed like an easy and accessible form of exercise. Having 3 young children at the time I couldn’t commit to any team sports and running seemed like the ideal solution. I began by running on the weekends and I soon became hooked on seeing improvements each week. I ended up buying a treadmill so I could run at home.

Around this time, I discovered parkrun, and we ended up buying a running pram.

The idea for Mum Runner began because a local running group I was involved in started a running distance challenge for a month. From memory it was about $5 to get involved. There was about 15-20 of us and the entry money formed the prize for the winner of the challenge. Being a fairly competitive person, I loved the motivation and accountability – it was something I could fit in around my mum life commitments but it also gave me a sense of connection with these other like-minded runners. When the challenge ended I found I lost some of my motivation and missed the community, so that’s when I decided to create Mum Runner. As it grew, we began to support charities rather than use a prize money model; we wanted to support causes that

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were important to us as parents and for our children.

I come up with the challenges when I’m running. I find my mind switches into creative mode and I forget that I’m running (on a good run anyway!) and even if I’m not actively thinking about a new challenge, I will have an idea and write it down when I get home. If I’m struggling for ideas, I will ask my team of ambassadors who are always willing to brainstorm their thoughts.

On other occasions, runners from our community approach me with a charity that they want to support and we do our best to put a challenge together themed around the charity.

The idea for a state vs state running challenge came from the hype around the Game of Thrones television finale. Everyone was talking about GoT and their theories for the ending. I needed an idea for a winter challenge and the famous ‘Winter Is Coming’ line made me think we could do a Game of Thrones inspired challenge. As there was so many kingdoms in the show vying for power, I thought we could relate that to the Australian states and form a running challenge, and so we went with ‘Game of Zone’. Runners really enjoyed the competition and it was quite humorous to watch the banter between the states.

After that we decided to make it a regular challenge.

I would love to see Mum Runner’s audience continue to grow. We will continue to do what we do and our goal is to keep increasing our donations each year. Initially with COVID we experienced a spike in numbers as physical events were cancelled and people turned to virtual running. However, we have seen that shift now. Despite the freedoms in WA over the last 18 months, we have a national audience so the problems that particularly Vic and NSW faced in 2021 certainly impacted our numbers. With physical events returning we have seen a decrease in numbers.

I think some people might be cynical towards virtual running as they think you’re just buying a medal. I would love to encourage people to try Mum Runner as we have a friendly and engaging running community that want to go on a journey with you each month. It’s really not about the bling, but about sharing progress and being part of something greater by supporting charities.

Sometimes the hardest step is the one out the door and we try to help with that every month.

When it comes to running these days on a personal note, I love the peacefulness of running trails though I admit I’m more relaxed running them in winter (I have a snake phobia). I think particularly the trails in the South West are some of the most beautiful. The Bibbulmun Track is amazing and I’ve had the privilege of running and hiking it in Dwellingup, Pemberton and Denmark. I’m also a huge fan of running along the coast so down near Walpole where you get the beauty of the ocean as well as the trails. I admit that the only other trails around Australia I’ve experienced are the Blue Mountains which are also extremely beautiful, but I can’t compare them to others around the country.

The running community will always be important to me though I’m currently injured so I’m not running with a regular crew right now. I’ve been involved in different local running communities at different stages and I’ve loved having like-minded people to run with and share a post run coffee with. There’s only so much my non-running friends want to hear about running! My family is still involved in our local parkrun community both in a running and volunteering capacity.

My favourite person to run with is my husband. He likes to coach me while I run, and he tolerates my complaining, especially this year with it being such a hot summer in Perth. I’m also happy to run solo with my music and my thoughts.

DURO | DYNA

R unnin g d o e s n ’t s u c k b u t i t i s h ar d . E a c h gl o r i o u s l o n g r un in t h e m o un t ain s i s t h e r e s ul t o f c o un t l e s s h o ur s o f t r ainin g ; e ar l y m o r nin g s , l a t e ni gh t s , t ir e d l e g s an d n o e x c u s e s . T h e D ur o/ D y n a m ak e s e v e r y r a c e o r r un e a s i e r w i t h b o un c e -f r e e s t ab ili t y an d o p t i o n s t h a t a c c o m m o d a t e e v e r y t hin g f r o m a f t e r- w o r k j a un t s t o l o n g d a y s in t h e m o un t ain s . S o k e e p t r ainin g .

T h a t ’s h o w t h e G o o d D a y s ar e M a d e .

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