Two members of Team Macpac GOT myself and Anne Lowerson decided to join Mal and his crazy mates in a run on the Hillary Trail. How hard can it be we thought - we've just done the XPD... it doesn't get much harder than that ... it is only 72kms it will only take 16 hours!" What we hadn't counted on was the fact that we would be running for a full fifteen hours and this uses slightly different muscles to walking for 40 hours in the Aussie outback.
It all started at midnight on Friday night after a full day of heavy rain. We stumbled out of the car at the Arataki Visitors centre to a group of around 20 eager smiling athletes all keen to attempt the Hillary trail in one hit. A decision was made that we would all stay together for the hours of darkness at least as the trail can be hard to find in places. Off we went into the night slipping and sliding in the mud. We made pretty good time down to the Karamatura camp and then after a rather hairy river crossing sloshed and slipped our way up to the Karamatura forks. Oh boy was it muddy. We then headed down the scenic but undulating coastal track into Whatipu and arrived there around 4.15am. The Manukau Heads were a stunning sight under the glow of the full moon. What a treat to be greeted by one of Mal's amazing support crew who provided refreshments and encouragement for all.
After a bit of a stretch and a regroup we headed off to attack the next section of the track. Hills glorious hills met us. First we climbed out of Whatipu then we found ourselves dropping into the Paraha Gorge - the water levels were so high in the gorge the board walk was completely under cover - one guy lost the board walk and took a deep plunge off the side into the icy waters .. ohhh bad idea !! - best to stay on the track !! We then headed up up up to the top of Zion Hill track before dropping into Karekare. We were more than rewarded here for our efforts as daylight was beginning to make its presence felt and we were treated to lovely views of KareKare beach. We were also treated to hot chocloate and loaf as Barbarella had decided to drag herself and her mother out of bed at some ungodly hour to come and join us. Thanks Barb's Mum..
Once again we were off on our merry way and once again we were headed up hill. This time we had the addition of a chatty Barb striding out in front and motivating us to keep up the pace. We headed up Watchman's Rd and then onto Coman's track which lead to Ahu Ahu track and the Mercer Bay track - what amazing scenery - this has to be one of the most scenic coastal spots around - wow. We then found ourselves heading the wrong way along the Piha Rd before dropping into the Winstone track which took us down to the sensational KiteKite falls and then into the back of Piha. The falls were in full flow and mind blowing, the view made all the efforts of the past few hours worth it. However on on and on we had to push.
We had another stop in Piha for breaky around 9am with the trusty support team - this time we were treated to pasta, pizza and hot soup. Yum Yum. But we were only just over half way so on we pushed. The next section took us up Whites track and then up the dreaded Kuataika track. This track was the worst of the lot and seemed to go up up and up again. After what seemed an eternity of climbing we found ourselves dropping onto Houghtons track and into Lake Wainamu. We spilt up a bit here with some people choosing the steeper but shorter sanddune route to the Bethels road and others taking the longer but flatter route up the creek. We regrouped for the final time at the Bethels carpark and filled up on hot soup again before setting off for the last leg of the track.
The track from Bethels to Muriwai is absolutely out of this world - no matter how many times I do it it never gets boring - it is sensational. We shuffled along here at pace with Barb pushing us to dig deep. My father also joined us along this track and ended up running the last hour or so of this track with us to the start of Constable Rd. From here it was all downhill into Muriwai, the Gannets and the end of the Hillary trail.
What a fantastic experience with fantastic people. Thanks to Malcolm Law for the inspiration - we wish him well with his 7in7 campaign. Thanks to all those who came along to support.
72kms - 15 hours and 45mins -
It all started at midnight on Friday night after a full day of heavy rain. We stumbled out of the car at the Arataki Visitors centre to a group of around 20 eager smiling athletes all keen to attempt the Hillary trail in one hit. A decision was made that we would all stay together for the hours of darkness at least as the trail can be hard to find in places. Off we went into the night slipping and sliding in the mud. We made pretty good time down to the Karamatura camp and then after a rather hairy river crossing sloshed and slipped our way up to the Karamatura forks. Oh boy was it muddy. We then headed down the scenic but undulating coastal track into Whatipu and arrived there around 4.15am. The Manukau Heads were a stunning sight under the glow of the full moon. What a treat to be greeted by one of Mal's amazing support crew who provided refreshments and encouragement for all.
After a bit of a stretch and a regroup we headed off to attack the next section of the track. Hills glorious hills met us. First we climbed out of Whatipu then we found ourselves dropping into the Paraha Gorge - the water levels were so high in the gorge the board walk was completely under cover - one guy lost the board walk and took a deep plunge off the side into the icy waters .. ohhh bad idea !! - best to stay on the track !! We then headed up up up to the top of Zion Hill track before dropping into Karekare. We were more than rewarded here for our efforts as daylight was beginning to make its presence felt and we were treated to lovely views of KareKare beach. We were also treated to hot chocloate and loaf as Barbarella had decided to drag herself and her mother out of bed at some ungodly hour to come and join us. Thanks Barb's Mum..
Once again we were off on our merry way and once again we were headed up hill. This time we had the addition of a chatty Barb striding out in front and motivating us to keep up the pace. We headed up Watchman's Rd and then onto Coman's track which lead to Ahu Ahu track and the Mercer Bay track - what amazing scenery - this has to be one of the most scenic coastal spots around - wow. We then found ourselves heading the wrong way along the Piha Rd before dropping into the Winstone track which took us down to the sensational KiteKite falls and then into the back of Piha. The falls were in full flow and mind blowing, the view made all the efforts of the past few hours worth it. However on on and on we had to push.
We had another stop in Piha for breaky around 9am with the trusty support team - this time we were treated to pasta, pizza and hot soup. Yum Yum. But we were only just over half way so on we pushed. The next section took us up Whites track and then up the dreaded Kuataika track. This track was the worst of the lot and seemed to go up up and up again. After what seemed an eternity of climbing we found ourselves dropping onto Houghtons track and into Lake Wainamu. We spilt up a bit here with some people choosing the steeper but shorter sanddune route to the Bethels road and others taking the longer but flatter route up the creek. We regrouped for the final time at the Bethels carpark and filled up on hot soup again before setting off for the last leg of the track.
The track from Bethels to Muriwai is absolutely out of this world - no matter how many times I do it it never gets boring - it is sensational. We shuffled along here at pace with Barb pushing us to dig deep. My father also joined us along this track and ended up running the last hour or so of this track with us to the start of Constable Rd. From here it was all downhill into Muriwai, the Gannets and the end of the Hillary trail.
What a fantastic experience with fantastic people. Thanks to Malcolm Law for the inspiration - we wish him well with his 7in7 campaign. Thanks to all those who came along to support.
72kms - 15 hours and 45mins -
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