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Many of you will be familiar with the story of Mal Law’s epic 7in7 Challenge for leukaemia sufferers that climaxed at the Kepler Challenge last year. Well, the mad bugger is back again this year and once again he’ll be doing the race as the final day of a gruelling week-long trail running odyssey. He is still running to raise funds for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation and this year hopes to raise a staggering $150,000.

You can help Mal and be in with the chance to WIN RETURN AIR FLIGHTS FOR TWO ANYWHERE IN NZ. This year, anybody running the Kepler Challenge or the Luxmore Grunt can do the race not just to satisfy their own personal goals but also as a leg of the 7in7. If you’d like to put all your training and race day pain to good use check out www.7in7.org.nz or email mal@7in7.org.nz. He’ll get you set up with a fundraising page and the person who raises the most money will win the free flights that are being offered by Air New Zealand.

Come on people – let’s show the world what a big-hearted bunch of people us trail runners are. Get in behind Mal and his fantastic fundraising mission.

All the charity spots for the Kepler Challenge 2010 have been filled.

Each runner has paid $1000 for the privilege of a guaranteed entry to run the Kelper Challenge.

Thanks to the generosity of these charity runners, the Kepler Challenge organising committee are able to donate more than $10,000 to the volunteers of the Fiordland St John Ambulance service.

This money will be used to provide training and equipment of our local volunteers, who give their time and skills so willingly.

Everest Marathon 2009

A continuing link between the Everest Marathon and the Kepler Challenge, led to a prize being offered up by the Everest Marathon Organiser, for the fastest combined time between the Kepler Challenge 2008 Event and the 2009 Everest Marathon.
There was in fact only one competitor Nigel Finnerty from Invercargill. It was no mean feat to finish the event though and he completed in a very respectable time of 7 hours,ten minutes and 48 seconds.

A reciprocal prize has been offered up to the competitors of the Everest event and the 2010 Kepler Challenge encouraging those strong enough to run a full marathon at altitude to take on the dizzying Fiordland mountains for a return match.

Anyone interested in going to the 2011 Everest marathon watch the website for details for a prize between 2010 Kepler Challenge and 2011 Everest event.
Cathy Lewsley is organising group travel again to the Everest event for either competing or to help marshal the race.
For further information go to the Everest Marathon page here or contact Cathy by email on kathndave@xtra.co.nz

 

4.30 am and the alarm goes off and I jump out of bed. I have a wry smile on my face cos I think that tomorrow I will be crawling out of bed. This will be for two reasons -partially due to the effects on my body from today’s run but mostly due to the reunion with my good friend tonight – Ms Wine!

My super support crew, Smitie is still snoring away. I eat my last bit of Carbo before the big race – not a penne pasta piece in sight, thank God.

Lake Te Anau is mill pond smooth and there is almost a full moon out. Not a cloud to be seen... It makes for a very auspicious day.

At 6 am we are lined up at the starting area across the Control gates, waiting for the starting gun.. We count down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. "HAPPY NEW YEAR" I say – opps wrong celebration!

And then we are off – The 22nd Kepler Challenge Race has begun – only 60 kms to go.

The first 5 kms were almost surreal. A flat track follows the lakeside and the rising sun is filtering through the beech forest.There was a bit of a bottleneck at first but that is to be expected with 400 keen competitors. I reach Brod Bay (5.6 kms ) in 32 minutes and I know the uphill grunt is ahead of me.

As I’m running, opps... I mean walking uphill I check out the nice muscular legs in front of me. I also notice that everyone has a much smaller back pack then me - mine seems to be 5 times bigger then theirs. How the heck do they fit in all their compulsory gear? I make a mental note to myself not to pack everything including the kitchen sink next time!

Upwards we go, mixing walking and running until we reach the treeline and then break on to the subalpine tussock.. We traverse across the open tussock land with splendid views across Lake Te Anau and the surrounding mountains. We live in a truly magnificent country. Again, I thank Huey (the weather god) for putting on such a beautiful day- very lucky. I take a few photos because this view and race may be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Luxmore Hut appears in front of me with all its fanfare. Cheering supporters, balloons and even bubbles- no, not the champagne type but the "blowing bubbles" type. My gear is quickly checked, leppin and water quickly drunk and then Luxmore Hut is quickly behind me. One hour forty five minutes gone past ( 14 km mark) and I prematurely think that the uphill bit is over.

We continue to traverse along but on an upward trajectory (bugger !) with a continual panorama of NZ, at it’s best, unfolding in front of us.

As the track is in great condition, we only have to run across one patch of snow. It is great to have at least one patch of snow as it makes you feel like a true mountain runner.

The helicopter is buzzing around while we run high up on the mountain ridges. It adds to the aura that this is a very prestigious mountain race.

As we run across the ridgeline we pass a very friendly DOC man that is cheering us along. I comment that he must be having a damn hard day at the office!

My watch tells me it has been 3 hours and my legs are beginning to feel a little tired. I give them a lil pep talk and tell them they are doing fine (Ha… little do they know how sore they are gonna feel in 3 more hours !). I pass around a bend and Hanging Valley Shelter- aka Hanging Valley Hilton, appears. This is a very welcome sight because I know it is the end of the uphill slog. After a quick visit to see "Nature" – as she has been calling me – I refuel and it is time for the infamous, steep downward descent to Iris Burn.

As I run down the steps , I hit a patch of warm air as I am now on the leeward side of the mountain. With the warmth , sunshine , height and stunning views I feel like Susie Salmon (from "Lovely Bones") high up  there in heaven!

The bone crunching downward track is not as bad as I thought. Maybe it’s because my vertically challenged frame gives me a low centre of gravity! As I run quickly downhill a guy that I pass calls me a "Mountain Goat" – how did he know that was my nickname from my team in the Coast to Coast race!

As I descend downhill I start passing guys that are discretely standing just off the track with their backs toward us. At these moments I think "Its times like these it would be great to be a male!"

After many zig-zags we start to hear the sound of a bell tolling, which is music to our ears as it means that the Iris Burn Hut is not too far ahead. We soon see balloons that are tied to trees with funny support messages and it brings a welcome smile to our tired faces. The organisers of this race have done a fantastic job in making the whole race a fun, enjoyable experience. Well done.

The next drink station materialises and I breathe a sigh of relief. The downward plunge has taken 46 minutes. So far so good! A quick refuel including jellybeans (with the black ones of course – yum yum) and I’m on my way- three hours and 55 minutes have gone by. I have run 28.8 kms.

Yeehar – half way there! I start singing "Oh… we are half way there..." by Bon Jovi in my head and then the stupidest thing pops into my mind. My singing in my head is just as monotone / tone deaf as my real singing! Oh, the funny things you think when you have hours to pass. Enough random thoughts – I have to keep my mind on track-stuff, talking about that – I briefly loose it but find it again.

The next stretch is beautiful. This is for two main reasons – firstly, we are running through beautiful NZ native beech forest with lichen laden trees and dappled sunlight and secondly (and most importantly at this stage!) is that it is beautifully FLAT.

But the euphoria of this fact is suddenly morphed by the fact that my legs are beginning to feel painful. My mind tells my legs that pain is just nocireceptors sending electrical impulse to my brain. It is my way of trying to psyche out the pain!!!

Rocky Shelter appears in front of me. Another welcome relief and quick refuel. The last stretch has taken me 1 hour (and 1 minute to be exact!!)

Onwards, we go, trudging away. The section to Motarau seems to take forever. Everyone seems to be wrapped up in their own lil world, as I am. I’m having to give my legs another pep talk.

The shores of Lake Manapouri appear to our right. It looks beautiful with golden sands but my body is too sore to rotate to the right to look!

Finally, the welcome sight of Motarau appears with lots of people cheering us on. It is amazingly hot and sunny here. The heavily cladded army guy asks if I would like my bladder filled. I reply that I would like my bladder emptied, actually!! He dutifully shows me the toilets.

My watch says that I have run for 5 hours 54 and I know that Motarau Hut is 44 kms into the race. Hmmm... Long way to go but I have also covered a lot of ground. Only 16 kms to go.

Everyone around me seems to have employed the same low stepping shuffle. Every small uphill incline makes us stop and walk .But there is a camaraderie as we chat to each other and spur each other on. After an agonizingly long time, I make Rainbow Reach with lots of cheers from local supporters.

Fifty kms behind me and only 10 to go. I have been looking forward to this point as I am now able to count down the kilometers. I have heard that the last 10 kms are the worst but I worryingly think that the last 10 have been pretty hard. I know that there are two more drink stations in front of me.

Onwards I go with the Kepler shuffle/run and surprisingly the next drink station appears ahead and they say I only have 5 kms to go. "Cool" I think as the last 5 weren’t too bad. BUT, then I really start to hurt. Ouch! But I don’t stop to walk because I think I have made it this far – I ain’t gonna pike now and walk. Finally, the last drink station appears and the signs tell me only 2.4 kms to go. Now, that might sound a short distance , but I tell you, it took forever! I can hear the commentator on his microphone congratulating the runners and keeping the supporters amused with his funny anecdotes.

So far... yet so close!

With only about 500 m to go my left knee suddenly feels really sore and so I have a lil limp. This is not the way I want to run down the final chute!

And then, the control gates appear and the finish line is in front of me. I have made it!!

I shuffle/hobble/run through the finish post. 4 hrs 47 mins – yeehar!!

The ever faithful Smitie is there with a photo finish ‘click’ – this time the camera is working !!

I have conquered the penultimate mountain race – The Kepler Challenge 2009

 

December 5th dawned race-day perfect for the 22nd kepler challenge on the shoreline of Lake Te Anau.
412 competitors lined up for a 6am start to their 60 km pilgrimage around the Kepler Track after Malcolm Law of Mizone 7in7 fame sounded the starting gun. Malcolm has just completed 6 consecutive runs on 6 of New Zealand’s Great Walks and is finishing his goal of running 7 Great Walks in 7 days.
Track conditions were nearly perfect after a relatively dry week in Fiordland and the going was hard and fast. First man to Luxmore Hut in 1:08:53 was Norman Dunroy of Dunedin (recently emigrated from the UK) winning the King of Mountain title for 2009. Norman kept the lead through Forestburn checkpoint but at the Rocky Point check point, half way down the Irisburn Valley, was 1 minute behind the leader, Galen Burrell. Galen walked the Kepler Track in 2004 as a backpacker and was inspired to come back and run it as part of the Kepler Challenge.
Last year’s winner Martin Lukes from Christchurch was in 4th place through Luxmore checkpoint and was still in 4th place heading through the Rocky Point checkpoint.
By Motorau, Lukes had stolen first place and with 5km to go, was still in the lead. He kept that lead to finish in 4:57.21. Norman Dunroy took 2nd place in 5:06:45 with Galen Burrell in 5:18:41

Vanessa Haverd of Canberra was first female to Luxmore Hut earning the title of Queen of the Mountain in 1 hour 20 minutes. In hot pursuit was Debbie Nicholl of Rangiora in 1 hour 26 minutes. 3rd and 4th positions were held by Jackie Holley and Jean Beaumont respectively. Beaumont finished in 3rd Place in last year’s event and Holley was a last minute entry. Haverd still held the lead at Forestburn checkpoint and was also leading through Irisburn in a time of 3 hours, with Debbie Nicholls 8 minutes behind.
After going through Rocky Point checkpoint, Haverd still held the lead, with Deb Nicholl still in 2nd place and Jean Beaumont in 3rd. 2km from the finish line, Haverd still held 1st place with Deb Nicholl still trying to catch her. Haverd finally took 1st place after maintaining her lead the whole way round.

First results Kepler Challenge
Male:
Martin Lukes (Christchurch)
4:57:21 
Norman Dunroy (UK/Dunedin)
5:06:45
Galen Burrell (NSW, Aus.)
5:17:41

Female:
Vanessa Haverd (Canberra)
5:53.08
Deb Nicholl (Rangiora)
5:56:45
Jean Beaumont (Porirua)
6:32:24

 

Luxmore Grunt
Mathew Broad placed first in the Grunt this year in 2:10:00 minutes after finishing 8th last year. Mathew “wanted to crack” 2:10 minutes and did some serious training to prepare this year. Look like it paid off. In second place was Andrew Middleditch, originally from the UK but currently residing in Australia, in a time of 2:13:15. Hot on his heels was Glen Campbell of Queenstown 34 seconds later. Glen turned up to register at 7.55am this morning with the race starting at 8am, on the hunt for a “spare Leppin.” Looks like being disorganized pays!

Rosara Joseph, originally from Christchurch but living in the UK, finished 1st in the women’s section of the Luxmore Grunt in a time of 2:31:41. In second place was Fiona Kokich (2:32:34) from Queenstown. It’s Fiona’s first time in the Grunt and she’s already planning to come back and do it again.
Sarah Backler finished in 3rd place in a time of 2:35:13. From Wellington, Sarah got lots of time training in the local hills.

First results Luxmore Grunt
Male:
Mathew Broad Winton
2:10:36
Andrew Middleditch Townsville, Aus. 2:13:15
Glen Campbell Queenstown
2:13:49

Female:
Rosara Joseph Chch/UK
2:31:41
Fiona Kokich Queenstown
2:32:34
Sarah Backler Wellington
2:35:13

THE MIZONE 7in7 CHALLENGE

Competing in the Kepler Challenge is in itself a huge undertaking. But most who do it will come into the event well rested after a long taper. So imagine how it would feel turning up in Te Anau on the eve of the race having just run 300km over the previous 6 days! It may sound like madness but this is exactly what one competitor in this year's Kepler Challenge will be doing. Malcolm Law is aiming to be the first person ever to run the 7 mainland Great Walks in 7 consecutive days. Why? Well, apart from having several screws loose, Malcolm wants to raise at least $50,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. His brother died of leukaemia and this is his way of trying to help others battling this awful illness. If you'd like to find out more about this epic adventure, and perhaps make a donation to the charity, visit www.7in7.org.nz

Malcolm Law - 7in7

LATEST NEWS

Malcolm is reported to be in fine form and steadily knocking off his Great Walk effort. He finished the Milford Track last night (Friday 4th December) around 5pm and had an evening off before setting out on the climax event, the kepler challenge. Running each Great Walk at a stedy pace seems to have paid off well and his pre-race guestimate for a finishing time is around 10 hours. No doubt a hearty welcome will greet him as he crosses his final finish line.

Malcom makes it!

An emotional finish for Malcolm in 10:06:10 along with his support crew at the end of his SEVEN great walks in SEVEN days. Having raised over $70,000, Malcolm said that he was never worried that he wouldn't make the grade but never suspected that he would raise so much interest or money. Now his goal is to raise the money to $100,000. Check out his blog www.7in7.org.nz and donate!