My first ultra marathon, markandzena without Zena!
I started running in December 2021 challenging myself to run an ultra marathon within my first year of running in my transformation quest from a bodybuilder to hybrid athlete
Lake Tekapo is a small township located at the southern end of the lake of the same name in the inland South Island of New Zealand. It had 558 residents according to the 2018 census, being one of five settlements in the sparsely populated Mackenzie Basin.
Race Tekapo is an exciting destination race located in the heart of Tekapo, where you can indulge in stunning lake and mountain views, relax and soak in local hot pools, play up the snowy mountains and be blown away by the serenity of the international dark sky zone. Race Tekapo prides itself in providing unique courses, a great race environment and fun for all!
The Cairns Balmoral Station 50KM Ultra Marathon. This course starts and finishes on the edge of Lake Tekapo, and is designed as a figure-of-eight. The figure-of-eight course allows your supporters the opportunity to see you as you start, at almost the half way point, and also as you finish. What a great spot for your friends and family to enjoy spectating right on the shores of the stunning Lake Tekapo!
When you start you head towards the Regional Park, where you get to go over the arched pedestrian bridge. You will run right beside the world-famous Church of the Good Shepherd, and run through the forest on your way to Sawdon Station. Competitors in the Ultra Marathon get to run on the Lagoon Loop, a scenic trail that takes you over the true Mackenzie landscape on the iconic Sawdon Station. Once you have completed this section you then run through the Regional Park. This is a well-kept secret in Tekapo - trails that run under towering trees, where you get snippets of the lake and out towards the mountains. You will then join the side of Lake Tekapo and come back through the Race Village before heading towards Mt John. You will head up Mt John behind Tekapo Springs. Mt John is part of Balmoral Station, and as you continue on the course you will get to rejoin this station further along. Once you reach the summit you will pass the Mt John Observatory. At this point you will be breathless from not only the ascent, but the 360 degree views across the southern alps, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Alexandrina. The 50km course continues to impress as you descend Mt John via the Mt John access road. You will then take Godley Peaks Road around the west side of Lake Tekapo, before turning alongside Lake McGregor. You will run past Lake McGregor to the outlet of Lake Alexandrina. You then join Balmoral Station again as you make your way around this scenic lake, getting to appreciate the sheer scale of this iconic high country station. As you pass the Lake Alexandrina huts on the south side of the lake, you will then head back towards Mt John. You will cross back over Godley Peaks Road and head back up Mt John using the access road. At this point you are well on the way home. As you descend Mt John you run along the side of Lake Tekapo, taking you back to the Race Village.
With incredible views at every turn, private access to two iconic high country stations, a mixture of flat trails, short sections on sealed road, as well as some hill work, this course offers great variety and a great challenge.
My first ultra within my first year of starting to run in the quest to become a frequent and competent ultra runner
The event is organised by scenic sports
Scenic Sports has been around since 2013, providing fun and supportive events for those wanting to be out in nature.
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5 сен 2024
