Kauri Runners

Michael Jacques / 21.11.2011

Once upon a time the Coromandel Peninsula was a giant Kauri Grove. Today only pockets of the big trees remain. This weekend, however, 250 endurance junkies took part in an innovative mountain running event that is helping regenerate the giant guardians of the forest.

Exactly 250 runners from six countries started and finished the eighth annual Great Cranleigh Kauri Run, a 32km mountain run traversing the Coromandel Peninsula. While it has been mostly the presence of man that has seen the Kauri Groves disappear, in this case the presence of runners will help bring the Kauri back because for every runner in this race the organisers plant a new Kauri seedling.

Starting at Waikawau Bay on the rugged Pacific Coast, the Kauri Run traverses the Coromandel Ranges to finish at Coromandel Township on the Hauraki Gulf. The 32km route travels through native bush, streams and over 800 vertical metres of climbing. In eight years the event has planted almost 2000 new Kauri trees.

Warm but blustery conditions greeted this year’s Kauri runners. With defending champion Sjors Corporaal not entered, the race for line honours was wide open. Former New Zealand mountain running rep, Chris Morrissey, has finished second and third in previous years at the Kauri Run and was keen to complete the set.

Similarly, Auckland teenage sensation Gene Beveridge, who was third last year. While at the other end of the spectrum, Rotorua’s Colin Earwacker was looking to redeem a sub-par 12th last year following six years in the top five, including winning the inaugural Kauri Run in 2004.

It was Morrissey who set the early tempo, leading Rotorua’s Darren Ashmore, Beveridge and Earwacker by a handful of seconds through the King of the Mountain point on Waikawau Lookout after 8k. But once on top of the Coromandel Peninsula’s Central Divide Morrissey went solo to pass through the halfway mark above Kennedy Bay four minutes ahead of Ashmore, who was three minutes ahead of Beveridge and Earwacker.

Morrissey continued building on his lead throughout the race to cross the Coromandel Township finish line in 2hrs 37min 09secs. Behind him Darren Ashmore held on to second place in 2hrs 45min 46secs, but not far behind the battle for third place between 52 year old super-vet Colin Earwacker and teenager Gene Beveridge continued until the final downhill through the Success Mining Trail.