The Dual

3 hour 50 minutes, 7th place, 1103m altitude gain

Wet and windy conditions for The Dual. Novel to catch a ferry to the start line at Home Bay. A steep climb started the race before crossing through farmland at the southern end of Motutapu Island. A nice descent at the 8k mark lead to the causeway where we crossed over to Rangitoto Island. Some nice packed trails enabled me to pick up the speed before easing off and climbing to the summit of Rangitoto. Stretched the legs back down to sea level then hit a very technical 4k section along the edge of the island. Back to the causeway across to Motutapu and headed straight up and in the direction of the Northern tip. A series of three solid climbs which were tough into the wind, the terrain now more farmland and 4 x 4 tracks. Back behind the finish line at the 32k mark a solid climb to the 36k mark then back down to sea level. The final four k headed to the highest point on Motutapu island including a never ending series of ups and downs. The finish line was at the end of a short and sharp downhill.

Opua Walkway

Great little adventure behind Paihia. Five minute run along school road brings you to the start of the Opua Bush Walk. The track from here is well formed and gradually climbs for a good 15 minutes before emerging from the bush to give fantastic views down to Paihia, the Treaty Grounds, Russell and even over to Opua. A well formed but less manicured track then extends through to Oromahoe Road and the main road into Paihia itself. Lovely bush on an undulating track with occasional views over to Opua.