Stories
Race reports, mission write-ups and guides from the trails — the long-form stuff that doesn't fit in a weekly email. War stories from the front of the pack to the very back.
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Race report · Jun 2026
Mangin Takes On Moab 240
Race report · Jun 2026
Canterbury Winter Trail Series Spotlight
If there has been one thing we’ve noticed lately that is missing from the Christchurch winter season it’s trail running events. My friends and I have often travelled around the country during this season to other events e.g. Mount Difficulty and WUU2K, and that’s been awesome but it’s time for some Christchurch local ones too.”
Race report · Jun 2026
Fifty-Two with the Soul Runner
Running the Ring of Fire in 2019 is an experience seared into my mind that changed the direction of my life. You can’t underestimate what achieving an impossible-sounding challenge can do. I’m truly thankful I found Campbell’s video, and now the book. If it has the same impact on 1 person’s life as the Ring of Fire had on mine, it was surely worth the effort.
Race report · Jun 2026
Ring of Fire 100k
The little fucker is clinging to my sock, somehow stinging me through both the sock and my ankle strapping. Determined. I’ll give him that. It stings like a stingy thing.
Race report · Aug 2025
TARARUA MOUNTAIN RACE 2024
“Flat on my back, looking at the sky. My quads cramping more than that time I had my work mates genuine home made vindaloo."An honest report from the 2024 Tararua Mountain Race
Race report · Mar 2025
Tanks on E but the soul is full!
This afternoon felt like a world away from one of the most challenging days of my 58 years, as I lazily crashed on the couch and watched a dozen crazy runners do laps of a forest trail at the Riverhead Backyard Relaps Ultra. And as I write this the final 5 are out still out there running into their second night on lap 38.
Race report · Jan 2024
Neil Wilson Runs Aotearoa Ultra Marathon
Yesterday was my birthday, and I wanted to do something different for it, something I’d never done before. I’m fairly new to trail running events, but in the last 12 months or so, I have taken part in the Motatapu ultra, Mount Isthmus traverse, Hanmer marathon and a number of half marathon trail runs. I found out the Aotearoa Ultra was on my birthday and was originally going to sign up for the 53km event but decided to go big, and I’m super glad I did.
Race report · Jan 2024
Dr. Tripp, The Man, The Myth, The Legend
How does a fat, depressed 40-year-old junior doctor go from eating 6 Cookie Times per shift to running 268.4KM at the Arrowtown Backyard Ultra? Like all good things in life, time. He started running by complete accident.
Race report · Jul 2023
When The Goggins Videos No Longer Work
Eventually, I hobbled over to the portaloo, but I had been sitting by a gas fire. Even though it was Feb, there was a chill in the air. My body went into a bit of shock, and I started shaking uncontrollably. I could barely pee in the cup. I was shaking that badly.