Why would anybody want to run a 41km Mountain race?

Well what a huge day. I arrived at the Event Centre at the bottom of Kuripapango Hill. Hundreds of cars and it looked like most people had stayed overnight. The people I spoke to had a very cool night due to the southerly that had come through the day before. (Thank goodness it was a great day!)

The race started with a 2km flat bush trail before we started to climb Kuripapango. My race plan was to take it easy up the hills, so wherever I felt it was easier to walk, I did. The guy in front of me jogged most of the way up the 70 degree climb but wasn't getting away from me. We worked our way across Smith-Russell track. This was made up of Shale slips on both sides. (about 600m on both sides). There was about 1" of snow but it wasn't cold. Perfect until I came over a rise and slipped on ice and shale. I took skin off my palm and finger and had a sore butt.

At Kiwi Saddle Hut there was water. I had a camel hump on but I thought I would save it and had some bottled water. Man it was cold (they must of kept it in the snow!) The climb to Mad Dog and Kaweka J (the highest point in H.B) was steady where there was 2" of snow and 60 degree climb. I didn't push too hard (saving my energy). What a fantastic view. I could see Mount Ruapehu with plenty of snow on it on one side and on the other looking good.

The downhill was sweet. It was undulating across Maturia Ridge then came one of the worst bits. It seemed like 1.5km down a 90 degree bank across the Donald river and struggled back up the other side,climbing and slipping.

The next 1 hour 45 minutes was a matter of survival. I remember thinking never again, "I'll just pull out and I'm not going to do Triple Peaks". I passed Clive Renolds (winner of the 28km course) winding down and going the other way. I ask "how far to go" and he replied "about 15 minutes and one more hill"- oh shit!

It was one leg after the other to the road and once I was on the road I could jog over the finish line. I collapsed and lay there for 5 minutes. When I had enough energy I had to empty my bag so it could be inspected to make sure I took all the required safety gear.

My time was 6 hours 45 minutes, 5th overall and 3rd veteran. Lots of great prizes but never again (Yeah right!)

Darryl Strachan