Kiwirun article in Athletics Weekly magazine (UK)

Running the Tongariro Crossing, on New Zealand’s north island wasn’t exactly what I would have imagined I would be doing in the first week of January.  Running over the challenging and still-active volcano less than 12 hours after finishing the New Zealand 10,000m championships was perhaps even less imaginable.  But there I was, chugging away, camera in pocket, combining two things - running and travelling - into the same seemingly incompatible space and time.

Travelling and holidaying can be a tricky thing for an athlete.  On holidays with non-athlete friends I have often wondered how it would be possible to maintain a training programme.  There‘s only so much pounding up and down the same old stretch of road outside the hotel at silly times in the morning you can take.  So it is easy to feel that there is never a good time to get away and holidays have to be squeezed into that tiny window of opportunity between seasons when training is less important.

If you‘re like me and still want to see the world then check out www.kiwirun.com.  This group, set up and led by former sub 4 minute miler Steve Willis (Nick’s brother), organises running tours around the scenic island’s of New Zealand.  Whilst travelling round the country and visiting points of interest, running would remain the focus.  There would also be knowledgeable locals running with the group who could point out the best trails and routes.  It seemed like a perfect solution to the holiday problem.

I signed up immediately for the Janaury 2010 tour which started in Auckland on 28^th December and finished on the 11^th January 2010.  This was the fledgling tour organised by Steve and his family. There is another planned for Summer 2010 and hopefully more in the pipeline.

Tailored specifically for running there were a number of optional races available including the afore mentioned 10,000m.  There were also opportunities to do your own sessions, including track work, or to simply join in with whatever run was scheduled for that day.  The Kiwi run team could not be more obliging in making sure that your training needs were catered for, driving different groups to different training venues where necessary.  There was also one other very important person on the trip - Craig, the tour physical therapist ,who provided massage, stretching and core sessions and just general advice throughout the tour. 

The tour also provided an opportunity to experience a bit of Kiwi running history. Distance coach legend Arthur Lydiard set all his athletes, including the likes of Olympic Medallists Bill Baillie and Barry Magee, the Waitarua run every Sunday.  Early on in the tour we were given the opportunity to tackle all (or part) of the circuit - which is a very hilly 17 mile loop around Auckland.  Starting at the Lynndale Harriers Athletic Club House (or Lydiard’s house for those wanting to do the historic 22mile option), the route ascends to Waiaturua point.   Running up possibly one of the longest and steepest hills I may have ever tackled, I confess to wondering briefly whether or not I was cut out for this running malarky.  But by the time we had run all the way back down the other side, soaked up the great weather and heard plenty of Barry and Bill’s stories about running, world records and the Olympics, it was all forgotten.  You were just inspired.

It’s not all about the running though.  Once the training is done, and good amounts of delicious food has been consumed, it’s then time to choose from the selection of suggested activities - or to simply do your own thing.  I’m not at all adventurous so steered clear of the luging or white water rafting options, but for us less thrill seeking types there’s plenty else to do, be it soaking in a natural hot pool, visiting a traditional Maori village or going to one of the many great beaches and trying a surf. 

It was a great holiday but I never felt that maintaining training was difficult or monotonous. Running enhanced the trip and gave you the opportunity to see things that you might not on a normal holiday.

If you’re looking for nightclubs, parties or else a quiet and sedate holiday,  this tour may not be your cup of tea.  If, however, you want to combine seeing an amazing country, meeting some great people and doing the thing you love most, you can’t do much better than Kiwi run.