The return of the Shotover Moonlight Marathon events was welcomed by a hyped pack of racers and beautiful conditions last weekend.
Showcasing six trail running races including New Zealand’s first vertical kilometre, from Moke Lake to the summit of Ben Lomond, last Friday, none of the events are for the faint-hearted.
Organiser Hamish Foster says there were a range of runners, hikers and climbers across the different categories, the unique landscapes and track conditions opening up the competition to a wider field.
There were also two competitors in the 60-plus age category for the La Sportiva Vertical Kilometre.
The debut race, which offers selection for the Skyrunning World Championships, was won by Auckland’s Toby Batchelor in a time of 59 minutes 45 seconds — he backed it up last Saturday, going on to win the half marathon.
The first woman up Ben Lomond was Kate Morrison, less than 10 minutes behind Batchelor.
The pair, alongside marathon winner Jessica Campbell, of Christchurch, made up part of New Zealand’s 2022 world champs trail running team.
Foster says over half of the vertical kilometre field came back for more, taking part in Saturday’s Moonlight events.
The marathon had about 450 runners on the course, with several North Islanders, affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, unable to make it.
Foster says the organisers are already planning for next year, aiming for February 15 and 16, and settling in as a regular host of the vertical
kilometre race.
