Coromandel run creates a kauri legacy

Life is all about leaving a legacy. That is particularly true when it comes to the Great Kauri Cranleigh Run on the stunningly beautiful Northern Coromandel Peninsula which not only creates a legacy of running achievement but also a record of its history through nature.

The unique aspect of the event is the organisers plant a Kauri tree along the trail for every participant that takes part. The aim is that one day the run will showcase a 32km avenue of Kauri from Waikawau on the eastern coastline to Coromandel town for future generations to enjoy.

Race director Andy Reid said they have planted more than 1800 trees to date at a distance of around 5km.

"It's great to see the earlier trees planted beginning to grow," said Reid of Adventure Racing Coromandel.

"A number of competitors have come back and helped us plant, which we typically do in winter. To my knowledge we were the first event in the world to start doing this and I think a few events around the world have followed suit.

"This is what makes the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run special."

Vajin Armstrong, a 31-year-old, who lives in Christchurch and runs a business with his wife Prasasta selling unique musical instruments from around the world, is one of the diverse characters that the Kauri run attracts. "The Kauri run is a great race that really offers something back to the local community," said the runner-up in the 32km event in 2010.

"It's nice to know that your entry fee is helping to leave a lasting legacy for future runners and walkers on the Coromandel. It's also such a special part of New Zealand with so much history and such great people, Andy and his team do a great job and they really help support the top runners."

The Great Kauri Cranleigh Run typically attracts 300-400 runners every year. The race in 2011 is the eighth running of the event and it has grown incrementally with about 150 runners taking part in the inaugural event. It attracts athletes of all ages and abilities ranging from 12 years old to over 70 years old.

This year a group of new runners have signed up and are raising money for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

This year's event is the first in which runners have a choice of three distances: 13km, 32km or the new ultra marathon 70km. The 13km is achievable for most people and takes between 1 hour 10 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. The 32km is a tough run and the equivalent of a marathon and takes people between 2 hours 20 minutes and 5 hours.

Around 25 to 30 people are expected to give the ultra-marathon distance a go. The 70km event, which will be run biannually, starts in the far north of the peninsula at Fletchers Bay campsite, joins the 32km run at Waikawau and then follows the same course to Coromandel.

Reid warned that this is an extremely tough challenge and will take runners between seven and 13 hours.

He offered some simple advice for all runners taking on all the distances of the Great Kauri Cranleigh Run for the first time. "The key to running the GKR is the ability to pace yourself and to tackle the numerous hills sensibly. Sometimes it's better to walk up the hills and run down them.

One of the young stars of offroad running in this country, Ruby Muir, is back to defend her title but is struggling with patella tendonitis in her left knee.

"I haven't been able to run much for the last four months so I feel my fitness has slipped a lot," said the 20-year-old. "I've been able to start running again properly in the last three weeks although I'm still being cautious not to irritate my leg any more than I need to. I'm surprised by how much base fitness I've retained though and it seems that it's just my overall speed that has suffered."

Muir conceded that she has no competitive goal for this year's race. "I'll be happy to finish without a limp," she said. But she believes the race record of Australian Hanny Allson (2:42:11 in 2008) could be bettered in fine conditions. "I certainly think it's achievable, but not this year for me. "

Meanwhile in the men's race, Armstrong is hoping to go one better than his second place to Sjor Corporaal next weekend. "Last year it was extremely slippery so this year I am hoping for a slightly faster drier track and a much closer race. I am really looking for a good hard race, and with Sjors in the field you can always guarantee that."

The Great Kauri Cranleigh Run

When: Saturday, November 19.

Where: Both events start on the white sands of Waikawau Beach on the eastern coast of the peninsula with the 32km event finishing in Coromandel Township and the 13km event finishing at the White Star Station, close to Colville, both located on the western side of the peninsula.

New Ultra 70km Run: Starts at the Fletcher Bay Campground on the Northern part of the Coromandel Peninsula and will finish in Coromandel Township.

Mission: Andy Reid: "The net proceeds from ARC events go into the Spirit of Coromandel Trust which has been set up to encourage people, particularly youngsters into outdoor and sporting activities. Our ultimate aim is to establish an outdoor education facility on the peninsula."

Advice from Vajin Armstrong to new trail runners: embrace the adventure of trail running, get out to new places, run new trails. New Zealand has one of the best track networks in the world so get out and use it, nothing will improve your trail running more than getting out and spending some quality time on the trails.

Race Champions: 32km Men's - Sjors Corporaal 2:31:46. Women's - Ruby Muir 3:11:40.

Course Record Men's - Sjors Corporaal 2:25:35 (2009).

Course Record Women's - Hanny Allson (Australia) 2:42:11 (2008).

13km Men's - Graeme Pearson 1:04:06.

Women's - Michelle Hyland 1:15:57.

Course Record Men's - Graeme Pearson 1:00:56 (2009).

Course Record Women's - Ruby Muir 1:09:23 (2009).