Testimonials

A friend of mine, Jenna, had mentioned the Wanaka trail marathon to me 12 weeks ago and asked if I’d be interested in joining her. The next day I agreed. Running the Wanaka Trail marathon was an impulsive move for me as it’s been almost 6 years since my last marathon. But the appeal of running in New Zealand, which I had never visited and running my first ever trail marathon internationally was all the motivation I needed to lock it in. My first indication that I had made a good decision was when I landed in Queenstown and saw the ice-capped mountains. I was awestruck by the view and so excited about what Wanaka would be like. I find it hard to articulate how magical the experience has been. The morning of the run was pretty nippy and the usual pre-race dialogue was babbling away in my head. Had I trained enough, is my pack too heavy, should I have worn thermals, why am I doing this? The minute we started running all that stopped. The track was easy to run on and the immediate scenery was lovely with the lake to our right. The scenery kept changing throughout the whole run and I had to stop several times to take snaps because I never want to forget how beautiful it is. It literally took my breath away when suddenly I was in an open area surrounded by the magical Southern Alps and looking down into the emerald coloured river. Then I found myself in a forest area running on tri-coloured autumn leaves! Another turn placed me out in the open again and I felt like I was that runner I always envied in the Runner’s World magazine snapped on rave run page. Here I am, in New Zealand, running amongst the most amazing scenery ever! The fact that it was marathon distance didn’t really register because I thought once the distance is covered, this will be over, so I tried to take in as much as I could. And suddenly it was almost over! Shannon Leigh (3rd female) was at the last 4k mark and paced me to the finish! (Thank you Shannon, I couldn’t hear half of what you said but I appreciated the company). I finished with a big grin on my face because that run was freaking awesome!!! Can’t wait to do it again next year. Thank you again Adrian and all the organisers who made this run possible. Everyone should try Wanaka Trail Marathon.

Just last weekend I ran the Wanaka Trail Marathon which conveniently starts and finishes at the Albert Town Tavern. This run took in some of the best scenery the Clutha Valley has to offer. We ran alongside 3 rivers, the Cardrona, the Hawea as well as the mighty Clutha. We were seldom without a water view. We ran through native bush, green irrigated farmland and the more familiar tussocky brown of Central Otago. The perfect autumn day complimented the brilliant and varied scenes we traversed.Although, as usual, I was out there a long time my journey seemed short as the winding track meant you could never see too far into the distance. This marathon should get big as word gets round.

Adrian and the team at Active QT organise fantastic events that welcome all abilities from complete beginners to the elite. I love the way they manage to create events that enable all levels to mix and enjoy the participation in the events and the achievement of completing them. The Frontrunner series is one of my favourite events through the winter and spring season, it caters for everyone from people walking or pushing prams to runners keen to beat their pb or elite athletes. There is something for everyone and Adrian and the team make every single person feel welcome.

“Jacks Point Frontrunner Series for our family is as much about running as it is about community and camaraderie. Catching up with friends and making new ones – sometimes mid stride around the track. We love running through the winter and Jacks Point is a lovely little getaway from the bustle of town with the dramatic Remarkable’s behind and the biggest sunny skies Queenstown has facing north so we always stick around for coffee and spot prizes post-race. Adrian has created an event where the local speedsters like to race each other and families can run together, whether you’re in town for only one race or the series you are in for a fun time.”

 “Master 8 and I have really enjoyed the Frontrunner Series races for the last 3 years. Yes! You read that right, he has been running 5km with me for 3 years!! This highlights what a great course this is for all levels and ages to revel in. It’s a brilliant way to have some active time with your children (Miss 6 runs with us now too) plus they both delight in the enthusiastic support they receive from Adrian at the finish line! From 5 to 85 years – Frontrunner Series is a perfect run fun for all.”

“The Jack’s Point Frontrunner Series is a superb event for the whole family to take part in. I’ve been taking part in this series for the past two years now. It always has a great turnout of people, be it families, friends or first timers who are all enthusiastic to be out running, walking and being active. I also find it a great way to stay fit and healthy and challenge yourself to beat your previous race times through the cold winter months in Queenstown.”

“WOW….the perfect mix of brutal and beautiful in an absolutely stunning location.  I signed up for the full Sky Runner Queenstown after seeing the photos and video online, and the real thing certainly didn’t disappoint.  As a first time visitor to NZ, Queenstown turned on one hell of a welcome.  Everything a runner could ask for…good food, coffee, running shops, friendly people and plenty of places to run!  The event itself was extremely well organised with registration, shuttle to the start line and on course volunteers and nutrition all adding to the experience of running in a new location. The course is brutal with some extremely challenging up and down terrain, yet at the same time so much fun to tackle whilst taking in the views. This is a MUST DO for anyone who loves running trails…just don’ t forget to pack a camera!!!”

“There’s something about Sky Runner that goes beyond the spectacular mountain scenery, perhaps because you get to run atop them, high on the ridges, rather than just look up at the peaks, perhaps its the constant change in terrain, which is as brutal – train for up but train for down just as much – as it is beautiful…but more so it’s the general spirit of the event and those who run it. Lots of trail runs have an awesome vibe, this one has a heart and soul to match. But I can’t stress enough…train those the downs on pulverised legs…”

The Sky Runner Queenstown was my first overseas marathon and I was so nervous leading into the race. It did not disappoint. Brutal climbs, tough terrain but the breathtaking views and friendships I made along the trail made it all worthwhile. I can’t wait to get back there and do it again!! It was such a well organised event. You couldn’t get lost and the support from officials was over and above. Loved the hot spas at the end too!!

After racing the half marathon distance last year, there was never a question about coming back to tackle a longer distance. I chose the 30km trail run being a hill junkie but in the middle of last minute wedding planning. From the second the start gun went off I was in my happy place because we went straight up. The early hills were steep and it sorted the men from the boys. The hills turned into a wicked technical single track. This was where I became hugely distracted by the amazing scenery which comes at you from all directions. The middle part of the race was where I could settle into a good fast rhythm and put the hammer down a wee bit. The gradient was a little friendlier but the hills continued to come and come until the blessed final 6 or 7 km. The home stretch meant a cool off paddle in the streams and a quicker pace once I could smell the food and drink at the finish line. In summary – an awesome race and one that will be permanently in my calendar.

“I have done many triathlons in my life and I cannot think of another with such a great mix of athletes, in a more beautiful place and so flawlessly run. My swim may have not been great, but by the time I hit the first hill on the bike, I put it into gear and felt my race mode kick in. This was hard considering the views I had of the surrounding mountains and wildly green landscape all around me. The end of run then finally made it hurt and I can’t tell you how good it feels to push your hardest into a group of supporters, some I had never even met, but all with warm eyes and cheers of heartfelt encouragement. Active QT truly does a genuine job in not only making the race professional, but as well as keeping it fun and bringing the love of the community together.”

“I have been a triathlete competing since 1992 and have competed at two World Triathlon Championships at age group level. I live in Wanaka because of the active lifestyle and training here is as good as it gets. Every year I have looked most forward to the Lake Hayes triathlon at both Christmas time and Easter. I rate it as my favourite race of the season and know a lot of athletes in the region feel the same about the event.

The Good Friday event always the last race of the season and between the Christmas race and Easter one it has always gathered a great field of Otago and Southland athletes. Over the years and a number of world and New Zealand champions have raced this race. I haven’t been able to race every year since 1992 but have done most years over 5 different course changes at both times of year. It’s great to see the organiser and his team have the course back to one of the best bike courses in my opinion. Two laps of Mackintyres hill, Malaghans Road, Hunters Road and Ladies Mile block being my firm favorite.

On the 3rd of April I wasn’t in a position to complete the entire event solo but I had two friends keen and I didn’t want to miss out so we joined forces to compete in the teams section. The swimmer in our team was Ruth Pay who also swam in a team with me for this years Challenge Wanaka Ironman distance event. Our runner was her partner and Wanaka Football club forward Paul Hodgson. Both the Christmas and Easter events usually managed to pour on the weather and this race day was no different. Barely a breath of wind, stunning blue sky and some of the best scenery anywhere always makes for good racing. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve said to someone “pretty amazing place to be racing eh” or similar. I hope I never take the stunning scenery for granted. Paul and I watched as Ruth took off in the swim and made her way towards the front of the field. While we were waiting for Ruth I was trying to watch for other teams coming in and team cyclists heading out to know how we were going.

With holding the Sprint Tri, Duathlon, and Olympic Tri together I really didn’t know how we were placed other than that we were going pretty well. Ruth swam well putting us in a good position and then ran up the steep track and around to the where I was waiting with my bike and I was off. 40 km on the bike is just enough to ride hard the whole way without too much pacing so I did. I passed a few cyclists but wasn’t counting but I wanted to give our runner the best start I could. The bike course here is a fantastic mix of flats and solid climbs (Up Macintyre’s Hill twice to really get the lungs screaming) and undulating terrain. It’s a very real course compared to many. A strong rider will love the fact that the hammer has to stay down the whole time but it’s not too hard that someone who is new to the sport will find it putting them off. The course is never boring and I hardly took any time to look at the scenery other than a few quick glances. Being chased is not my favourite place to be. I knew there would be someone behind me trying to chase me down and I don’t like being overtaken so had no intention of giving up my place easily. I knew I was going ok when I rode to a point where I couldn’t see another rider in front or behind. I knew there were at least a couple of the fastest individuals in front of me but no idea who else. When I pulled in to tag Paul I was starting to fade slightly so blessed the race organisers that there wasn’t another lap on the bike. Paul was off like a shot out of a gun. The run course is around the perimeter of Lake Hayes with an approximately km dog leg to make it 10 km run. Its no easy run with plenty of ups and downs most of the way. It is a stunning run so if an athlete needed to stop and tie his shoes he would be blessed with lovely views pretty much the whole run course. Ruth told me she thought we were 4th overall and possibly first team. I was stoked that I hadn’t let anyone past and had given Paul the best start I could. We sat in the sun and soaked up the atmosphere and watched the athletes coming in to finish. There were some Sprint triathlon or Duathlon athletes finishing while we waited for the first of the Olympic Tri competitors. Paul had a great run and overtook one of the individual competitors leaving us third overall and first team. It’s such a relaxed event with people lying around on the grass chatting about how they went and what a stunning place it is to race. Some of them regulars and for some this is their first. Who wouldn’t want to come back I say.

Once again the Lake Hayes Triathlon has left me wanting to come back for more. Well done to the Race organiser and all of his team who put on a very professional event as always. ActiveQT have always run great quality event and this one is one of the best. Keep it up I say and next year I hope to be lining up as an individual again. I hope Paul and Ruth are racing as individuals also. Who knows how that race is going to go but one thing is for sure, it will be a great day of racing in one of the most beautiful locations I have ever raced. Bring it on and see you there.”