In our three years of full time travel and living on the road, we never made it to Stewart Island/Rakiura. We came close, meeting Rakiura local Lea Melrose in Invercargill early 2021. She told the most amazing and inspiring stories of growing up on the island, and of her explorations running the iconic Rakiura Track. At the time we were en route to the Coastal Ultra in the Caitlins and regrettably couldn’t fit in the trip across the Strait. She had planted the seed though, and we promised to make it back for the bucket-list event, the Rakiura Challenge trail run.
Now finally we are here. And it did not disappoint!
FRIDAY, 6th October
The day before the race we woke to a stunner morning, so I threw together an impromptu plan to knock out the 32km track on my own, early, a recce for the housemates if you will. I just had to get myself back to town in time for race rego and dinner. I packed my gear and at 9:00am the lads dropped me out at where we assumed the start line of the event to be – the road to Lee Bay. Feeling no pressure of time, I took a few side trails, explored the historical sites and rusting relics from the islands sawmilling days, and sat quietly for a few moments on the stunning Maori Beach. The first 10km is definitely my favourite part of the track.
Port William to North Arm. The middle 13km section is notorious for mud and we’d been well pre-warned. I’m not sure if it’s because I got to pass through it on my own, delicately picking my path and foot placement of the not yet chewed up ground by runners, or if recent weather had been extraordinarily kind to us, but it was pretty darn good. Only once did I loose sight of my foot as it was swallowed up in brown goop, otherwise I managed to stay pretty clean!
Around Kidney Fern Arm and Kaipipi Bay there is about 10km left in the track including a section of buried cobbled road through the forest before it pops out at Fern Gully carpark. The home stretch, 2km of road to the Oban township and my unceremonious finish line.
Time for a quick shower and then off to Race Rego. 300+ competitors & volunteers, friends and family. Numbers the local community eateries would certainly struggle to cater for. An absolute genius idea on the part of race organisers, all runners and guests assembling in the hall for a banquet on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Catered for by the neighbouring SIT students of Invercargill, it was easily my favourite part of the weekend; bringing together of everyone for a meal and genuine connection. Pre-race prep and jitters dominating the chatter on the Friday evening as we feasted on pastas, Bolognese, lavish helpings of vegetables, salads and more. And then there is the recapping of the incredible race experience during Saturdays meal, treated to a local seafood spread, roast meat and vegetables…. these two dinners alone is worth the entry fee in monetary and experiential value!
SATURDAY, 7th October
It’s a short drive to the start line… its a short drive to anywhere on the island. It’s cold but calm. The early morning light causes everything to glow and it promises to be a fine day.
There are loads of familiar faces here, a strong Southland attendance. Everyone lines up for their bibs and preps for the start. It’s a simple affair. 250 runners, one start, one race distance. And much like the Kepler, there are few opportunities to meet and cheers the runners along the course. Things are underway quickly. I shout words of encouragement to our lads as they speed off out of the gate and along the gravel road. They know there is an incline just 400m in and around that first blind corner. That’ll spread the field out.
Supporters make their way back to town for a coffee and to await the finishers.
Matthew Arnold crosses at 2:32:03. I pop a message off to David Haunschmidt, teasing him that the course record was there for the taking should he have come. He promises to be on the start line next year.
Awesome running by everyone. Lots of smiles and high praise for a great race on an amazing trail. A few head to the pub to continue the post-run celebrations, others dip their tired legs in the cold ocean then we prep for the Rakiura Challenge Event Dinner and Prizegiving.
What a weekend. Made absolutely perfect with a few Kiwi spotting missions on the beach after dark.
