Running for Coromandel’s Kauri Groves

Running for Coromandel’s Kauri Groves

Two hundred years ago the Coromandel Peninsula was one great Kauri grove. This weekend a unique mountain running event promises to help bring them back, and some of New Zealand’s best runners have come out in support of the cause.

Almost 200 adventure runners from five countries line up this weekend for the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run. But as well as their personal goal of running from one side of the Coromandel Peninsula to the other, their very presence will leave a positive impact on the regions famous forests.

For every competitor who lines up, the organisers plant a new Kauri tree. After tomorrow’s 11th event the total Kauri’s planted by this event will number almost 3000.

Organised by Coromandel residents, Andy Reid and Keith Stephenson, the success revolves around a simple ethos of providing a great race in a great place for a great cause.

Starting at Waikawau Beach on the rugged Pacific Coast, the Kauri Run traverses the Coromandel ranges to finish at Coromandel Township on the Hauraki Gulf. Along the way competitors experience 32km of native bush, stream crossing and over 800 vertical metres of climbing. And much of the course is on private land, which means competitors get to see parts of the Coromandel not typically open to the public.

Rotorua runner, Colin Earwaker, certainly thinks it’s an event not to miss. The 55 year old won the inaugural Great Cranleigh Kauri Run back in 2004 and is the only person to have participated every year since. Tomorrow he lines up in the 23k support event.

While the traditional 32k Classic is the feature event, the 13k and 23k options are stepping stones. But in 2009 organisers also introduced a 76k ultra-distance option as the Kauri Run’s ultimate challenge.

Thirteen ultra-distance junkies will start the 76k tomorrow. Starting from Port Jackson at the top of Coromandel Peninsula, it takes the Northern Coromandel Walkway down through Three Stones Bay to Waikawau Beach where they join the normal 32k Kauri Classic for the remainder of their journey over to Coromandel town.

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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