Running for Regeneration

Participants young and old dominated the 11th Great Cranleigh Kauri Run as almost 200 trail runners benefitted the region’s regeneration by running from one side of the Coromandel to the other.

Once upon a time the Coromandel Peninsula, from Thames to Mt Moehau, was a non-stop Kauri Grove. Today only pockets of the big trees remain, but the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run has been changing that with the 2015 event accounting for the 3000th new Kauri seedling planted by their event.

Almost 200 runners from five countries lined up for the 11th year of this unique trail run. Starting at Waikawau Bay on the rugged Pacific Coast, the feature 32k Classic traverses the Coromandel Ranges from east to west with over 800m of vertical climbing to finish at Coromandel Township on the Hauraki Gulf. In recent years, the organisers have added 13k, 23k and even 70k options. But every distance takes in golden beaches, native bush, copious stream crossings and a growing grove of regenerating Kauri trees.

Rotorua runner, Colin Earwaker, obviously like the concept of his running benefitting the environment it passes through. Since winning the inaugural event, the 53 year old has run in all 11 Great Cranleigh Kauri Runs and regularly assists in the post-race planting bee. He was back again this year, winning the 23k option five minutes ahead of Hamilton’s Nigel Payne in 1hr 58min 50secs.

The feature 32k Classic was an open affair this year, with just three minutes between first through third. Auckland’s Andy Palmer illustrated better pace judgement to pass early leader Matt McDougal for the win in 2hrs 56min 17secs. Two minutes behind him, Ohope’s Ben Miller also passed McDougall for second place by just 22secs.

Behind the front three, however, it was fourth place who got the biggest cheer. Cambridge’s Katy Dawson led the women’s race from start to finish to win by more than 30min in 3hrs 11min 41secs. Even more impressively she was also the first masters finisher, male or female.

Age continued dominating youth continued in the 23k event, with 53 year old Earwaker. In the women’s race Cambridge runner Jenni Hoogeveen claimed second for the second year in a row, this time behind Auckland’s Katrina Madill who clocked in at 2hrs 29min 45secs.

Other repeat offenders included Kerry Suter, who won the 70k ultra-distance option for the fourth consecutive year, this time by than 90min ahead of Australian Josh Dyke in 7hrs 04min 17secs. Only nine of the 13 starters finished the full 70k event, with Thames Meg Buddle providing this year’s Coromandel highlight as the only female finisher in 10hrs 39min.

Age again highlighted two more outstanding performers. At age 82, Huntly’s Brian Smith became the eldest ever Kauri runner, finishing the 32k Classic in 6hrs 44min 35secs. Meanwhile 17 year old Huntly school boy Matt Scott won the 13k event in 1hr 3min 15secs, more than 6min clear of former winner and first veteran Graeme Pearson (Rotorua). The women’s 13k produced an opposite result, with Hamilton veteran Rhonda Parry beating Auckland teenager Elise Furze in 1hr 32min 45secs.

The Great Cranleigh Kauri Run is the second of Adventure Racing Coromandel’s popular summer events, which include the Cranleigh K2 Cycle Classic and the ARC Adventure Race. Their events benefit the Spirit of Coromandel Trust, which provides opportunities for young people to experience the outdoors.

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