Trail runner Moore not finished yet

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

DOUG Moore just can’t get enough of trail running.

Fresh from last weekend’s win in the Remax Matokitoki Classic Half Marathon, Moore will be back in competition action this Saturday.

With a bunch of marathons — ultra trail, road, trail and half-distance — already chalked up this year, not to mention the odd multisport race and duathlon, Moore still has at least two major events before the year is out.

He heads to Tongariro National Park this week to take on the famous “Goat” adventure run between the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields.

A week later he will be at Bethells Beach in Auckland for the Speight’s West Coaster trail marathon.

“It’s been a crazy year with running,” he told The Herald.

“I have done a lot more races than I ever intended. I’m a sucker when someone suggests we go and run somewhere new.”

Highlights have been plentiful.

“Every run tells a story . . . fourth place in the Taupo marathon and second in the (43.5-kilometre) Xterra TrailChallenge Waihi were good days, but the standouts are definitely the ultras and trail runs.

“Training your body and knowing you can run for 60k or more on rough trails without stopping is a pretty awesome feeling.

“The places you go and sights you see . . . people from all over the world and hearing about the trails that they have explored.

“There is a much more relaxed and friendly vibe with the trail runners than the road running speedsters. Maybe it’s just the fresh air.”

But you don’t knock off these things without substantial commitment.

Moore is well known as a dedicated trainer, although he deflects some of that praise towards the advice and training guidance he has received from cardio coach and former Olympic Games cyclist Michelle Rennie.