Newspaper article
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/other-sport/adventure-racer-wins-event?fbclid=IwAR36xY2a_J0DezktOfyO2fzmyRqX28G-UF3RjN5h0_Apx9uIGC8gu7OiAX4
After a great deal of Hype and encouragement from Andrew Wilson, I was really keen to enter this event, it sounded like it was going to be an absolute frother. Wen I came down to Dunedin for uni in 2015 I had hoped to find more of this sort of thing, so I was stoked to hear about this race and that it was going to be while I was in the region!
Having just returned from Argentina and a placement in Invercargill, I knew my paddling was going to be sub optimal, so I expected to get chewed up, but I knew my running and my biking were in reasonable shape so I was hoping to be able to rely on them; Not an ideal race strategy, but it would have to suffice.
Race day rolled around on the 11th of November (coincidentally my sisters 21st (oops)) and the weather was absolutely primo, best day in Dunedin all week!
Leg 1 - 6km kayak up the Taieri River
https://www.strava.com/activities/1959988273
The starter sounded and we were off. instructions were to keep on the right hand side at all times. I started with James Munro and Jonah Belk, both of whom I knew would be hot competition. I fought to keep up with them, and we steamed up the right hand side. However it became apparent after a few minutes that there was another larger bunch of paddlers on the left hand side where there was less flow. With this we supposed that if everyone else was going to break the rules and take the faster line, we would be left behind if we did not, so switched sides. James and Jonah put the gas on, and left me in the dust. there were about 6 paddlers in the lead group, and I was fighting about 50 metres back by about 15 minutes in. I heard a voice from behind me "I'll take a turn at the front if you like" and Rikki Griffin from Invercargill made his way past me. unfortunately, even riding his wash I could not keep up, so while he caught the front pack, I slipped further back.
the paddle was beautiful, with big green hills, cliffs and little beaches, it was a sweet spot for a Sunday morning kayak.
By the time we reached the end of the paddle I was with old mate Andrew and I estimate we were about 5th and 6th place and 4 mins down on the leaders, which in all honesty, was pretty much what I expected.
Run - 9km - Millenium Track
https://www.strava.com/activities/1959988269/overview
I thought to myself "Now we go" as I jumped out of the boat and stormed off down the track, casting my life-jacket aside. I felt pretty sick, having just finished the water I had for the kayak, and naturally after a paddle my legs were jelly, but I reassured myself that everyone else would be the same and hustled on. the track started off pretty mellow, but I knew hills and mud were coming, bring it on! As I went onwards I began to pass people who were doing the duathlon version of the course, but it took me about 20 mins to catch up to James and Rikki, who were both powering along, but not overly enjoying the hills, which I took as a great opportunity to pass, as the hills were brutal!
the track was even more ruthless than I was expecting, and by the time I got to the highest point my lungs were screaming and I began to worry I might have an asthma attack or something like that; turns out I was just tired from solid mahi. From "the seat" it was an exceptional downhill, 10 minutes of glorious mud which I relished the chance to canter down. just when I got to the bottom before the flat along the river I managed to catch Jonah, who gave me a great selection of expletive banter as he realised it was me. From there it was just a matter of getting in rhythm to get to the transition area.
Leg 3 - 24km mountain bike
https://www.strava.com/activities/1959988272#49398625507
My trusty steed was still awaiting new parts after its tough time in Argentina, so I borrowed Luke Orange's (an old flatmate)
Giant Anthem. I made a quick transition, opting not to take any extra warm gear as the day was already sweltering, and zoomed out onto the road. I had ridden the course 2 days prior but nonetheless had a mini heart attack about 2 minutes in when I realised I had been too busy tucking into a gel to notice where I was going, but fortunately my instincts took me the right way. from there it was a matter of putting in the effort up the hills and doing my best to catch the remaining 3 duathletes ahead of me for line honours. the MTB course was mostly gravel roads, but they were pretty ruthless and had some big rocks on them! I think this worked to my advantage, and certainly made me very glad I had not borrowed a cyclocross bike!
I managed to get ahead of the last duathletes and with some solid time in the hurt box managed to stay ahead of Jonah and the others!
It was an absolutely spectacular day on a sweet course!
Massive congratulations to everyone who finished and huge thanks to Scott Weatherall for setting the course.
Thoughts go out to James who took a tumble on the bike, get well soon mate
Cheers Andrew Wilson for the hype!
Big shout out to Merrell for providing the apparel, you guys rock!!
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/other-sport/adventure-racer-wins-event?fbclid=IwAR36xY2a_J0DezktOfyO2fzmyRqX28G-UF3RjN5h0_Apx9uIGC8gu7OiAX4
After a great deal of Hype and encouragement from Andrew Wilson, I was really keen to enter this event, it sounded like it was going to be an absolute frother. Wen I came down to Dunedin for uni in 2015 I had hoped to find more of this sort of thing, so I was stoked to hear about this race and that it was going to be while I was in the region!
Having just returned from Argentina and a placement in Invercargill, I knew my paddling was going to be sub optimal, so I expected to get chewed up, but I knew my running and my biking were in reasonable shape so I was hoping to be able to rely on them; Not an ideal race strategy, but it would have to suffice.
Race day rolled around on the 11th of November (coincidentally my sisters 21st (oops)) and the weather was absolutely primo, best day in Dunedin all week!
Leg 1 - 6km kayak up the Taieri River
https://www.strava.com/activities/1959988273
The starter sounded and we were off. instructions were to keep on the right hand side at all times. I started with James Munro and Jonah Belk, both of whom I knew would be hot competition. I fought to keep up with them, and we steamed up the right hand side. However it became apparent after a few minutes that there was another larger bunch of paddlers on the left hand side where there was less flow. With this we supposed that if everyone else was going to break the rules and take the faster line, we would be left behind if we did not, so switched sides. James and Jonah put the gas on, and left me in the dust. there were about 6 paddlers in the lead group, and I was fighting about 50 metres back by about 15 minutes in. I heard a voice from behind me "I'll take a turn at the front if you like" and Rikki Griffin from Invercargill made his way past me. unfortunately, even riding his wash I could not keep up, so while he caught the front pack, I slipped further back.
the paddle was beautiful, with big green hills, cliffs and little beaches, it was a sweet spot for a Sunday morning kayak.
By the time we reached the end of the paddle I was with old mate Andrew and I estimate we were about 5th and 6th place and 4 mins down on the leaders, which in all honesty, was pretty much what I expected.
Run - 9km - Millenium Track
https://www.strava.com/activities/1959988269/overview
I thought to myself "Now we go" as I jumped out of the boat and stormed off down the track, casting my life-jacket aside. I felt pretty sick, having just finished the water I had for the kayak, and naturally after a paddle my legs were jelly, but I reassured myself that everyone else would be the same and hustled on. the track started off pretty mellow, but I knew hills and mud were coming, bring it on! As I went onwards I began to pass people who were doing the duathlon version of the course, but it took me about 20 mins to catch up to James and Rikki, who were both powering along, but not overly enjoying the hills, which I took as a great opportunity to pass, as the hills were brutal!
the track was even more ruthless than I was expecting, and by the time I got to the highest point my lungs were screaming and I began to worry I might have an asthma attack or something like that; turns out I was just tired from solid mahi. From "the seat" it was an exceptional downhill, 10 minutes of glorious mud which I relished the chance to canter down. just when I got to the bottom before the flat along the river I managed to catch Jonah, who gave me a great selection of expletive banter as he realised it was me. From there it was just a matter of getting in rhythm to get to the transition area.
Leg 3 - 24km mountain bike
https://www.strava.com/activities/1959988272#49398625507
My trusty steed was still awaiting new parts after its tough time in Argentina, so I borrowed Luke Orange's (an old flatmate)
Giant Anthem. I made a quick transition, opting not to take any extra warm gear as the day was already sweltering, and zoomed out onto the road. I had ridden the course 2 days prior but nonetheless had a mini heart attack about 2 minutes in when I realised I had been too busy tucking into a gel to notice where I was going, but fortunately my instincts took me the right way. from there it was a matter of putting in the effort up the hills and doing my best to catch the remaining 3 duathletes ahead of me for line honours. the MTB course was mostly gravel roads, but they were pretty ruthless and had some big rocks on them! I think this worked to my advantage, and certainly made me very glad I had not borrowed a cyclocross bike!
I managed to get ahead of the last duathletes and with some solid time in the hurt box managed to stay ahead of Jonah and the others!
It was an absolutely spectacular day on a sweet course!
Massive congratulations to everyone who finished and huge thanks to Scott Weatherall for setting the course.
Thoughts go out to James who took a tumble on the bike, get well soon mate
Cheers Andrew Wilson for the hype!
Big shout out to Merrell for providing the apparel, you guys rock!!