Day 7 Kepler Challenge – full report
Finally, almost 3 days after completing the ultimate leg of this year’s 7in7 Challenge I have found the time, space and energy to write up a more detailed report about a memorable day….. It dawned clear and hot, just like the previous six in the unseasonal heat wave that characterised (and almost killed) this year’s [...]
Day 7: Kepler Challenge – the finale!
All done. A fantastic day, exceeded all expectations – the team came in about 1/2 an hour faster than expected (that’s a first!)……but that was a little slower than one 7in7 runner – Kristian Day who, having done days 4 & 5 knocked his first Kepler off in an astonishing 6:16, some 3 hrs ahead [...]
Day 6. Greenstone-Mavora Walkway
54km, only 2km longer than expected today, and a little over 10 hours. Woke up before the alarm yet again feeling very under cooked on the sleep front. The bod was a little stiff and sore but I was still looking forward to the day. How could you not when it was a cloudless [...]
Day 5. Rees – Dart Circuit
Another very long, hot day – 67km (not the 61k as we had thought) and about 13 1/2 hours. Mals thoughts on the day: Awesomly beautiful and incredibly brutal. The best trail run I think I’ve ever done! Great running, great scenery, great spirit of the group. It was a cool start with low cloud and [...]
Day 4. Wakatipu Wonderland
Today’s run took longer than expected in both distance and time. Nine hours and 42.2 km’s later the group arrived at Wilson Bay (Lake Wakatipu) in good spirits. The overall pace was slow today and required a lot of focus from the slower group to complete. Another great run with great support and Mal is [...]
Day 3. Motatapu Gold
Day three at the Motatapu Gold was a real turn around for Mal who was back on form after such a terrible run the day before. A long 14:15 day with 50.2 km had lots of ups and downs (3375m) and great spirits from all runners. Overall, a fantastic day with great weather and support! Mal’s [...]
Day 2. Young – Wilkin Circuit
Day two at the Young – Wilkin Circuit was a tough one for Mal who was suffering from serious dehydration after yesterdays 42.2km run at the Twin Lakes Marathon. Early on Mal struggled with the miserable 6am start to battle with negative thoughts for half of the 11:45 and 55km run. Currently Mal is at the [...]
Day 1. Twin Lakes Marathon
Day one at Hawea was a hot and challenging. 42.2 KM’s of undulating and exposed trails required full attention and focus to reach the 7in7 goal today. 5:15 later the support runners and Mal crossed to a warm and welcoming Wanaka crowd. Some runners ran the full in under 4 hours, while many spent more than [...]
7in7 auction makes $10,365!
Tonights auction at Wanaka Mitre10 was a fantastic way to kick off the next 7 days! With Marc Ellis helping eager Mitre10 staff (thank you!) the nights proceeds took off with a bang. The rain held off for a fantastic crowd that before we knew it had bid a total of $10,365 to the 7in7 [...]
One day to go!
Well, that’s about all the prep done… I’ve been through all the checklists and ticked all the boxes. I’ve taken my final wee jog up Mt. Iron. What will be will be – I can’t do any more to influence the outcome now. Very soon I will be gathering with friends, loved ones and support [...]
5 days to go
I’ve spent the last two days in the 7in7-mobile driving the 1,100 kms from Auckland to Geraldine. Tomorrow morning I’ll be doing the final few hundred kms to hit Wanaka and get myself properly prepared for the epic week that kicks off Sunday. Amazingly, there are still people signing up to run in 7in7 – [...]
7 days to go
Phew! A crazy few days trying to pull together all the final loose ends and get everything packed. But I’m now just about all set to go… in less than 12 hours I’ll be hitting the motorway and pointing south - destination Wanaka. It will be a huge relief to finally be on the way, knowing [...]
Another fundraising milestone
With just a few weeks to go our fundraising is starting to gather some real momentum. With more than 100 people now actively involved as support runners and co-fundraisers it has become a major team effort. The goal for the 2010 Challenge is to get to $150,000 and right now we are sitting at a [...]
Breaking my silence
7in7 runners above Whatipu, Waitakeres Those of you who receive these blogs by email could be forgiven for thinking I’d fallen off the edge of the earth. Not that that’s likely given my finely tuned mountain goat-like poise and balance! It’s not that I haven’t had things to say, just that I haven’t had [...]
What a week!
Weds 6th October: I flew from Auckland to Wanaka, taking an hour and a half out at Christchurch to meet up with 7in7 runner Duncan Woods, Natasha Utting from Campbell Live and a cameraman. If you haven’t already read Duncan’s story you should. Then watch Campbell Live on October 20th to be further inspired by [...]
The War Room
I’ve adopted a siege mentality here at 7in7 HQ (aka ‘the spare room’) today. I’m strapped to the office chair with computer & mobile phone at the ready, firing out Tweets and pulling as many strings as possible. It definitely resembles a War Room with flip charts and post-it notes full of ideas scattered all [...]
Wild Supporters of 7in7
Since the very first days of the 7in7, when the concept was still a wild dream that kept me awake at night, some of its greatest supporters have been the boys and girls at Total Sport. Aaron Carter and his team run some of the best sporting events in the country and do so with [...]
Loved Ones, Stinging Nettles and Real Ale!
Regular subscribers to this blog may wonder why I haven’t posted anything for a few days now. Well, it’s because I’m in England on a lightning week-long trip….. LOVED ONES My reason for being here is my parents. They are both suffering the ravages of old age. Dad is 88 and has Parkinson’s. Mum is [...]
The Art of Giving
Word of the charity auction that we are holding on Nov 27th in Wanaka – the evening before 7in7 kicks off – is starting to get out. The auctioneer will be none of other than Mr Marc Ellis and it promises to be a whole heap of fun. First out of the blocks with the offer of [...]
Duncan’s Story
On any worthwhile journey there are always moments of doubt. I am not immune to these. From time to time, especially on days when the burden of organising the Challenge seems unbearably heavy, I will wonder “is it all worth it?” Then I get a moving or inspiring email from someone I’ve never met and [...]
Kristian’s Story
Just a few days ago a young fella contacted me via the 7in7 Facebook Group. At an age when I was only interested in drinking beer and trying in vain to attract women, this guy, Kristian Day, had entered the Kepler Challenge and was looking for more 7in7 runs to join in. I was massively [...]
Great Southern Hospitality
Bringing together an event of the magnitude of the 7in7 Challenge is no small undertaking. And it’s not made easier when you try to do it on a shoestring budget. In fact it’s only really possible at all because of the fantastic help and support of many, many people. Take Day 3 – the Motatatpu [...]
100 days and counting….
Time sure does sneak up fast …. unbelievably there are just 100 days to go before I slip on my running shoes to tackle Day One of the 7in7 Challenge 2010 (The Twin Lakes Marathon). Ahead will lie 360kms of rough, tough trail running through stupendous southern lakes scenery and who knows what kind of weather [...]
That’s my boy!
The 7in7 Challenge has just recruited some young blood. My 12 year old son Beinn is more at home on his skateboard than in a pair of running shoes, but nevertheless he has committed to join me for the final 10 kms of my 360 km odyssey – the ‘home straight’ at the Kepler Challenge. Beinn [...]
