Auckland Trail Shakespear Park 2025

 

Auckland Trail Shakespear Park 2025 (aka XTerra)

8 June 2025

19.3km, 386m, 1:46:51

https://www.strava.com/activities/14728385771/overview

Race Day

I picked up Will, Barnaby (yes, truely!!), Juliette, Nev, Jack and Michal to make a full carload. 

It was a beautiful clear cool morning after recent rain. Perfect!

The racing was eagerly anticipated, especially with the return of Barnaby's pilates-infused body, and Will's potential showdown with Juliette. Also, would Neville get revenge for last race's theft by Michal?

Shakespear has the tricky rocky beach section after about 2km. We were all semi-close together as we entered the rocks, but everyone pretty much zoomed away from me quickly, as I tried to avoid breaking my ankles. But I felt very stable and secure in my new Speedcross shoes, and never really came close to slipping over. I reckon that I gained some confidence and speed over time (survivor bias effect...).

I was not far behind Michal at the end of the rock section, and could occasionally see Barnaby up ahead further. Nev, Will and Juliette were further up, although Barnaby caught up and overtook Nev to contest with Will and Juliette who were running nearly together.

I wasn't feeling very fast, but really enjoying my run. Up and down open hills with some very pretty trails as well. As we came down a hill (around that dodgy tight left corner!) it opens up onto the beach sand. I managed to go the wrong way for 50m here before self-correcting. The trudge along the beach (watching Michal get further and further away) was tough going.

As I left the beach and started climbing up the steep (walking) hill, I was surprised by Jack floating past me. He was the very first of the mid length runners! 

Apparently up ahead Juliette was battling it out with the first place woman, eventually being beaten by just a few seconds. However her revenge was seeing the other lady vomiting profusely at the finishing line lol! Will was just one minute back, trying valiantly to keep up with Juliette, with Barnaby, Neville, Michal and I all spread out behind by a minute or two each.

Jack won the mid course outright, which was a great result!

Michal's kids all ran great too, as did Ed and friends.

An excellent day out for Run Like Crazy.

Barnaby showed the power of pilates and the futility of running training.

I remet Jason Benniman, who ran the super long and came in just behind me.