Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2023 från Trail Run

On 1 December 2022, Steve Moneghetti became the fastest 60-year-old in history over 5km. His time of 15:52:09 is incredible. I was very excited to have the opportunity to spend time with the Australian running legend in 2013 as part of a NZ athletics camp. The camp started with Steve talking about his background and personal tips to help young athletes towards their athletic goals. He said that Australia’s running had influence from the great Arthur Lydiard, and how he valued the friendships and experiences he’d made. As a society, everyone is after a quick fix, a short cut to an end goal, or a silver bullet to glory. Steve’s secret? There is no secret. It’s all about consistent hard work. This is especially true in the endurance sport world.…

TRM: Give us the non-PG version of your journey into trail running. Tell us about the times you really struggled and what made you want to keep going. Any embarrassing moments along the way? WH: My earliest memory of running was lapping the block at primary school. The days of letting a flock of kids foot it around the block for some driveway roulette are gone, but the feeling of freedom and fun are memorable. A couple of us thought we were fast back then but by high school, affectionately a ‘runt’, and presence of other actual talent left me well and truly dusted on any school runs. I cleverly shifted my efforts from legs to wheels and raced bikes. I was spoilt to try all sorts of sports, instruments…

REASON #1 BODY TRANSFORMATION TO THE MAX Want to pick up your children easier? Have a sedentary job that needs more balance with physicality? Trails are your answer! Because trails are uneven and full of obstacles – think tree roots, pebbles, sand, puddles – your body increases its level of bodily awareness thanks to constant shifting of body weight. Trail running doesn’t allow you to run in a straight line…even if the track is quite direct, you could go right, left, skip over something; it’s essentially an endless adventure where you don’t know what will happen. This means your body is going to go through some major changes to adapt to the sport – cardiovascular stamina will boost your endurance, muscle strength will grow, balance and agility will come in…

Ten years, 10 races and thousands of enduring stories from trail runners all over. The draw of the Victorian High Country, the home of Australian trail running – Bright, situated at the foothills of Mount Buffalo, is a town equally famous for its hills and amazing landscapes as it is for its bars, restaurants, vibrant community and trail culture. The new year of 2024 will birth a new era in the Buffalo Stampede Festival. The event trailhead and heart will be situated at The Pavillion, a new venue to accommodate the sharp growth in the Stampede community; a venue and space you could risk thinking is purpose-built for the Buffalo Stampede for infinity and beyond. The event’s courses will have all the same elements of the previous two years, with…

Fancy a spot of trail running in one of New Zealand’s most scenic locations? Then Race Tekapo is perfect for you. Nestled in the Mackenzie Region, Lake Tekapo is the picturesque home of this incredible new trail run. Only a 3-hour drive from the International Airports of Christchurch and Queenstown, and you are in the peaceful alpine village of Lake Tekapo. Race Tekapo prides itself on being a ‘destination race’, where competitors and their friends and families can indulge in stunning lake and mountain views, relax and soak in the local hot pools, play up the snowy mountains, and be blown away by the serenity of the international dark sky zone. With the inaugural race in 2022, Race Tekapo sees over 1000 runners and walkers descend on Lake Tekapo to…

29 APRIL 2023 – NORTH CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND: Rolling into the last aid station, one of the support crew yelled out, “Looking good, guys!”, to which Henry responded with cat-like reflexes, “Damn straight, bet you haven’t seen three better looking fellas run past here all day!” His response leaves the aid station volunteers in hysterics, and even manages to elicit a few muffled chuckles from the young farmhands leaning on the back of a ute. This pretty much sums up the good-natured vibe of Aotearoa’s newest trail event, Skedaddle – a trail run for nature. Henry was a young guy I teamed up with at the Bush Hut aid station for the last 10km of the 42.2km Two Tunner event. Having both decided we weren’t going to break any land-speed…

A gripping new novel filled with twists, scandals and secrets. You pay a premium to live in this town… but someone’s paid with their life. The rules of the running are the same as they have always been: keep your breath steady, keep your mind sharp, record your laps! Only now there’s a new one: don’t get killed. The wealthy community of Esperance is picture-perfect. Big houses, stunning views, beautiful people. A brand new running track for the local club to jog around in the evenings. From the outside, it looks like paradise. But the women of the town know the truth: you can hide anything – from wrinkles to secrets from your past – if you have enough money. You could even hide a murder. The Running Club is…

HOLY. SMOKES. Have I found the most comfortable and form fitting running pants, like, ever?! Australian activewear LSKD, based in Qld, claims to ‘hug you in all the right places’…and yes. Yes it does. Yes it does hug me in all the right places. The LSKD Women’s Fusion Full Length Legging has one of my favourite features in a running pants leg – a high rise fold over waistband with pockets. There’s no seam in the front, so the chance of a ‘camel toe’ is pretty much not on the table, and the material is, in the words of Sean Paul, ‘…smooth, just like-a silk’ made out of 70% polyester and 30% elastane. Out on the trails in the Fusion Full Length Leggings, comfort was supreme. No falling down at…

IF YOU’RE KEEN TO ACTIVATE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF, CELL SQUARED SHOULD BE YOUR GO TO. They provide the very best in delivering ‘back to basics’ ingredients in their health and wellbeing products with superior sourcing, superior quality, and conscious agriculture in Australia. I had the opportunity to test out two of their showstopping products – Organic Grass-Fed Beef Liver Capsules and their ACO Certified Organic Grass-Fed Beef Liver Powder. Hear me out, seriously. I understand. You hear the word ‘liver’ and yes, it’s an acquired and unique taste in our western world, but Cell Squared has created these capsules and powder that can give you all the nutrients of beef liver in its best supplement form possible. Historically, ancient cultures have praised the health benefits of eating organs,…

It’s the hottest part of the day in regional Queensland. The clock strikes noon, and with it, the sun beats down endlessly with no reprieve in sight. A cow bell sounds, its vibration trilling across the wide expanse of a cattle farm, signalling the start of something magical about to happen. Wednesday. June 21, 2023. One hour earlier, at 11am, an Aussie and a Kiwi broke the world record in backyard racing at Dead Cow Gully at the inaugural Australian Backyard Masters, and the running community went off its nuts. Everyone called it Breaking 101. From live streamers and crew members on site, to anyone keeping updated via social platforms, Perth’s Phil Gore and New Zealand’s Sam Harvey completed 101 laps that morning – breaking the record set by Belgian…

JANUARY 2024 AUSTRALIA NSW 21 January KOWEN TRAIL RUN Location: Wamboin Distances: 12k, 21.1k Web: kowen-trail-run.com QLD 6 January HARES AND HOUNDS TRAIL RUN Location: Beerburrum Distances: 10k, 25k, 50k, Relay Web: aaaracing.com.au 28 January TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN RELAYS Location: Tamborine Mountain Distances: 42k Web: tmrelay.com SA 14 January ATR SUMMER SERIES Location: Belair National Park Distances: Up to 22k Web: adelaidetrailrunners.com.au VIC 6 January PORTSEA TWILIGHT Location: Portsea Distances: 5.5k, 9.5k Web: solemotive.com 14 January TWO BAYS TRAIL RUN Location: Melbourne Distances: 28k, 56k Web: twobaystrailrun.com 19 January PORTSEA BAY TO SURF RUN Location: Point Nepean NP to Portsea Distances: 4.5k, 9k Web: portseasurf.com.au WA 7 January WALLYGRUNTA Location: Walyunga National Park Distances: 4.6k, 10.1k, 14.4k Web: perthtrailseries.com.au 21 January SLY FOX Location: Jarrahdale Distances: 5.3k, 9.9k, 15.1k Web: perthtrailseries.com.au…

The Mt Oxford Odyssey is one of New Zealand’s most iconic mountain running events, based only an hour from Christchurch in the Mt Oxford Conservation Area. The event is renowned as being challenging, set amongst the foothills of the Southern Alps in the South Island. What sets this event apart is the atmosphere. The Mt Oxford Odyssey has a reputation as being supportive and fun – where everyone is welcome to challenge themselves against the mountain, and where the team will be waiting for you with open arms and an epic medal! The event has a new race distance in 2024 with the introduction of the 50km Ultramarathon. The course takes runners on a journey over two mountains, and includes some incredible single track running amongst Canterbury’s native beech forest.…

So you’ve seen all the Instagram posts of runners with their dogs living the dream. And now you’re thinking of getting a canine yourself too, or perhaps starting to take the family dog on runs – and why wouldn’t you? Muddy shoes, tongues out (both humans and dogs), and miles and miles of trails with your best mate. Our canine besties are the best motivators to get outdoors, and a good running buddy will never say no to a run. As a vet in urban Auckland, I see way too many dog owners living in town with frustrated hunting dogs like German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) and Viszlas. They’re beautiful dogs and have stamina for days, but without the right routine and exercise, can be horrible pets. They’re bred to work…

Feeling like your body is a bit inflamed after your long run? Take out the blender and put together this high anti-inflammatory smoothie filled with all the goodness your body needs. Share with us on Insta by tagging us at @trailrunmag! Have you ever noticed how after a long and intense run, your muscles feel all inflamed and sore? Well, it turns out that’s actually a good thing! This is a natural defence mechanism that plays a vital role in muscle recovery and growth where during the process, immune cells work to remove damaged tissue and initiate muscle repair and rebuilding. Including foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols in your diet can enhance the complex process of inflammation induced by exercise and improve recovery and overall health.…

There are times when life feels like it has you cornered: financial difficulties, relationship issues, work problems, all of the above. Every one of us, at one time or another, will have to face up to the challenges that come our way. And there are two ways of meeting them: negatively, where blame is the answer; or positively, where you own the situation, and learn and grow from it. Letting you into areas of his life he’s never talked about before, Ant Middleton will show you how to embrace failure and use it to your advantage. Zero Negativity will not tell you who to be, where you should live, or what job you should do. That’s up to you. What this book is for is to give you the tools…

Following a couple years of disruption to the racing calendar, we’re now in a position where all races are back on their original dates. With this increased certainty we can now plan out our racing year, confident training won’t be wasted due to cancellations. With an abundance of great races included in this edition (our Event Guide, hint hint!), there’s a wide variety of trail events to pick from. So what’s the best approach to planning out your racing year, through understanding why you race, categorising your races, and then implementing a long-term training plan? Why Do I Race? Before we get into how to plan out your racing year, there are a couple key questions you need to ask yourself – why do you race and which races mean…

Welcome to the newly introduced Treading Lightly column! I’m stoked to be here as your in-house nature lover and trail explorer. In each edition, I will bring you the latest from the world of sustainable gear, enviro initiatives, and anything remotely related to the most pressing issue of our time: the climate and biodiversity crisis. As trail runners we run for many reasons, but I’m sure exploring and appreciating nature are high on your list of ‘why’. Through this column, I hope you’ll be reminded what an integral part we each play in helping conserve and celebrate the wild places we love exploring. Wild places. What does that mean? I used to take pride in these words, soaking up the romantic notion of vast, sweeping valleys, vibrant, moss-covered forests, and…

TOGETHER WITH RACE DIRECTORS AND COURSE ORGANISERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, TRAIL RUN MAG BRINGS YOU ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2024! FROM TECHNICAL TERRAIN THAT HAS YOU SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN’ TO MOUNTAIN BIKE TRACKS THAT HAVE YOU GUESSING WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER, 2024 IS GOING TO BE A BIG YEAR IN TRAIL RUNNING AND NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAN FOR IT ALL! SO WHAT BETTER WAY TO PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT LOT OF RACES THAN BY GOING THROUGH OUR EVENT GUIDE AND GETTING TO ‘CHOOSE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE’?! COVER IMAGE: Jason Stafford finished 6th at the 2023 Buffalo Stampede Festival Bright Ultra 100km. In this beautiful moment at the finish line, he is seen here embracing his daughter. Image – Calumn Hockey.…

A TRAIL RUNNING GEM IN NEW ZEALAND’S SOUTHERN LAKES REGION The Motatapu event is nothing short of iconic, and it’s easy to see why it’s a must for any trail running enthusiast’s bucket list. With various race options, it offers an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most captivating settings. The 42km Trail Marathon provides exclusive access to the Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations between Wānaka and Arrowtown. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to traverse the stunning high country terrain that defines this region. With numerous river crossings, challenging hills and personal triumphs, this course delivers on adventure. The views of the southern high country are simply spectacular and worth every step. For the most dedicated runners seeking an ultimate challenge, the 52km Ultra Run is a gruelling but rewarding…

Wonderland Run! The mere mention of it sparks a world of imagination. It couldn’t be named any more appropriately. Held in late August at Grampians National Park in Western Victoria, Wonderland Run has it all. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to the largest number of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters in southern Australia. Add to this mix, globally renowned hiking trails, majestic waterfalls, dazzling flora and fauna, plus the most awe-inspiring mountain panoramas you will ever see. There is truly nothing quite like it. It’s an event that will blow your mind. Wonderland Run has everything to challenge the most experienced trail runner and fun for the whole family. The weekend kicks off with a 2km kids race and an 8km flat race…

At 7am on 15 April 2023, the GC Running Team which consists of Jon Minnebo, Francois Fourie and myself, set on an adventure into the wild Southwest of Tasmania that would see us start at Scott’s Peak carpark, traverse the Western Arthurs Range from Moraine A-K and finish back at the carpark. All up it should be 60km which we thought would take about 18hrs. To most people this sounds either dumb, crazy or both. To us, this was the best fun we could have on two legs. Spirits were high, and with loads of laughs and a dose of nervous tension, we were soon on the trail. A mix of thoughts filled my mind: Am I capable of this? Maybe I’m biting off more than I can chew. This…

If you’ve ever found yourself in pain while running, or if you’ve missed workouts because of an injury, then this is the book for you. Run Healthy: The Runner’s Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment is the game changing publication you need to read to run injury free for the better part of your career. And seriously, you don’t need to be a beginner to reap the benefits of having a good read through; an open mind to gaining as much modern day information as possible is just as beneficial to the elites, because without continuous learning, we become stale. What I personally liked was that right off the bat, in Chapter 1, Run Healthy explores the body and its healing process. Most books simply talk about the types of…

An enlightening biography that takes us behind-the-scenes into the lives of some of the world’s most elite runners in Kenya and their coach, Patrick Sang. Sarah Gearhart takes us inside the high-octane world of elites. We’re immersed in Sang’s story from his college days in the US to winning an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, and his journey to become a man who redefines what coaching means. Sang’s holistic philosophy is like no other approach in the world, rooted in developing athletes who can navigate the pressures of elite competition—and life itself. We Share the Sun brings forth the remarkable lives and stories of East African runners, whose stories are seldom shared. Through the author’s vivid prose, we experience the richness that exists in Kenya as we come as close…