Auckland's grand old race turns 51

The Glen Eden 10-Miler - Auckland's oldest road race which began in 1965 - winds through Scenic Drive in the Waitakere Ranges. Photo / Supplied

Spectacular scenery and hill big drawcards in Glen Eden Runners club event.

Auckland's oldest road race, the Glen Eden 10-Miler, celebrates its 51st year next Sunday, yet female entrants have only been permitted since 1988.

Before this, women were not considered "capable" of finishing the full distance; instead they raced over two and a quarter miles (3.6km), while juniors competed over four and a quarter miles (6.8km).

One look at the past participant list for this historic race is testimony to its prestige. The list reads like a who's who of New Zealand running: the likes of John Walker, Allison Roe, Anne Audain, Jeff Julian, Kevin Ryan and Val Robinson have all toiled up West Coast Road wearing a race bib.

The event was won in 1973 by blind athlete John Stratford, running with a sighted guide. More recently Jonathan Jackson, Josh Maisey and Xterra junior world champion Matthew Battley have put their all into the event.

Originally the Waiatarua Cup Ranges Road Race, the event was created in 1965 by the Glen Eden Runners - one of Auckland's oldest running clubs - who still manage the event. The original course measured 9.5 miles, changes in 1988 allowed female entrants to run the full distance for the first time, the course was extended to 10 miles, and a handicapped start was relinquished in favour of a mass start.

Ten-mile (16km) events have become almost non-existent, replaced by modern 10km, marathon and half-marathon distances - yet the Glen Eden 10-Miler has become something of a tradition.

Glen Eden Harrier club chairman Neil Turner has been involved with the organisation of the event for more than 20 years. He believes the secret to its longevity is the appeal to runners of all ages.

"In the past we have tried to offer something for everyone. Having the shorter distance options alongside the 10-Miler means we have had people aged from 5 to 70 lining up. At its peak, we had 450 people coming along on the day to run and enjoy the afternoon tea we provided."

Club member Barry Sharp has also had a long involvement with the event. Sharp joined the Glen Eden Harriers as a 5-year-old, and stayed with the club until he was 17 when "work and life just got in the way". After an exercise hiatus he returned to the club as an unfit 40-year old who couldn't make it once around the track - attributed to the fact that he had been smoking for 25 years.

Sharp quickly kicked that habit as he returned to form, although heavy involvement in the organisation of the 10-miler means he doesn't usually get to run on event day.

"We [organising club members] run the course a couple of weeks earlier, in memory of some of our lost members," he explains. "I believe the event has stood the test of time due to committed club members and their support, and because the course is an interesting and challenging one."

The course is attractive but demanding - unlike a typical road race. Tipping its hat to athletes from the Lydiard days, the route winds steeply up West Coast Road and along Scenic Drive through the spectacular Waitakere Ranges, before descending down Konini Rd and back to Ceramco Park.

Five-time winner Jonathan Jackson said he enjoys the unique challenge the Glen Eden 10-miler provides. "These days road races are flat and fast; you are not usually going to get a fast time [in the Glen Eden 10-miler] because it's hilly, and it's not a distance you typically race over."

Five-time champ hopes he'll finally crack course record

Jonathan Jackson has long had Mark Bright's 1990 course record of 52m35s in his sights. Photo / Supplied

He is a five-time champion in the gruelling Glen Eden 10-Miler, but Jonathan Jackson is still not satisfied.

The 24-year-old has long had Mark Bright's 1990 course record of 52m 35s in his sights, but hasn't quite managed to crack it, despite dominating the race for five years.

"I've come close - within about 30 seconds - but haven't quite nailed it, yet," said Jackson.

The Auckland City Athletics club lad trains under legendary running coach Barry Magee. Jackson has a string of impressive accomplishments in road, track, cross country and mountain running events. He has won Round the Bays, shared a track with Nick Willis and represented NZ at the world mountain running championships in Italy.

Magee is a firm proponent of Arthur Lydiard training principles and frequently sends his athletes out to the Waitakere Ranges, which makes Jackson happy.

"It's great going out to the Waitakeres, training in Arthur Lydiard's footsteps. It's beautiful scenery, but also challenging with the hills."

Comparing race times for the Glen Eden 10-Miler is not as straightforward as one might think. The original course was actually only 9.5 miles, extending to 10 miles in 1988. Until recently, competitors were able to pick their own path as they negotiated the windy Scenic Drive course, and it was standard practice for the more experienced runners to apex (run the shortest straight-line trajectory) through the corners. The roads are not closed for this event, however, and the recent implementation of stringent traffic management procedures now require participants to stay inside cones placed on the left-hand side of the course for safety. Although Jackson understands these procedures, he does wonder if drawing his own lines may have enabled him to close on Bright's record.

Jackson will line up at the historic Glen Eden 10-Miler on June 21 looking for his 6th win - and perhaps that elusive record.

"I guess having won it five years in a row it's just become a thing - until I get beaten," he laughs. That may well happen this year, as friend and training partner Matt Baxter contemplates the 2015 event. Jackson confides: "If Matt comes, it will be a tough race."