Shotover Moonlight 30k Adventure Run - an epic experience!

This event is truly special – I understand now why so many of the entrants travel from all over the world to come run. The rugged terrain, breath-taking beauty and endless challenges give you so much, but at the same time remind you that it won’t let you take it for granted.

This course has everything – steep climbs, narrow ridgelines, winding single track, river crossings, 4WD track, tunnels, bridges – the perfect collection.

Thank you to the Foster family for opening their Station to those of us crazy enough to explore it! Showcasing this private little oasis, home to their merino sheep, mustered across this historic mining land, littered with relics of that era.

For me, this was my first ever time running this distance – 30 kilometres, and I had chosen not just any 30km – one with huge elevation climbing up and over hills, filled with technical trail.

I was lucky enough to win my entry last year, courtesy of Tailwind NZ. At the time I was training for the Luxmore Grunt and feeling super confident. As 2019 rolled around and the impact of the silly season took hold, I was feeling more and more anxious about completing this challenge.

I’d completed some longer training runs for confidence, many 5km Parkrun’s for motivation and all in all, considered that I’d fallen well short of my expectations in terms of readiness.

Race week rolled around quickly, & before I knew it I was standing at the finish area at Moke Lake awaiting my helicopter ride to the start line in Skippers Canyon.The ride itself was incredible – crossing high above the trails I’d soon be running back on.

The usual start line nerves kicked in, watching the 42km entrants set off on their journey, chatting to other runners, trying to decide whether to remove my jacket prior to the start or need to stop on the run to pack it back into my vest… the same vest that was already bursting at the seams with all the mandatory gear both the event & being in this environment demand.

Then the dreaded walk across the ‘Pipeline Bridge’ to get down to the actual start line – for those not familiar, this bridge is New Zealand’s highest span, narrow suspension footbridge – converted in the 90’s by AJ Hackett into the Pipeline Bungy – 160m long, 102m high and wobbles so much that’s it’s nerve-wracking to stand. I heard that one year a contestant couldn’t make it across to the start line!

A briefing, a countdown & we were off, I’d like to say running, but it was hiking – up a steep single-track, single-file surrounded by the 140ish other 30km runners.

As we spread out, the course flattened & just as I found my groove in a jog, new challenges presented – steep ridges, sharp descents, creek crossings, the narrow single-track winding close to the hills. So many falls! I took 2 tumbles in the first 8km – the first involved slipping down a steep bank, landing with both feet in a deep hole created by a small creek, the second happened when traversing a muddy bog and my left leg was sucked into a hole up to my knee. Both made me weary & fearful.

I continued, noting that each time I crossed a checkpoint it was in a much slower time than I had expected. The Moonlight Lodge was a godsend – time to refuel & replenish – salted potatoes! Every runner’s salvation!

It was shortly after this that my left knee really started to hurt on the descents – mechanically it felt like it was locking, but it was fine on the ascents and flat. I continued… around 22km I had a boost of energy – I was about to hit 5 hours, I’d made up some time & maybe I could still finish this on the sunny side of 6 hours!

That was until I saw Sefferstown Hill – a 2km gruelling 400m climb that kind of just hits you in the guts. It took everything to get to the top, every turn presented further steep uphill trail, every sign urged you to keep pushing. And then thankfully there was the aid station to replenish again.

I’d like to say that the final 6km was a blur, but the 20+ river crossings (although refreshing) really made it hard to establish any kind of rhythm. My body was hurting, my mind exhausted, when a supporter told me there was just 3km left, I made the push, stepped up the effort & thrust everything into getting to that finish line. 3km later I was running out of steam, but looking ahead in the distance I could see people still running, I couldn’t hear the finish & I knew there was still ‘ages’ to go…

That was the final punch… I spent to remaining 2-3km dicing between hopeful jogging, disheartened walking and cursing at myself, before eventually seeing those beautiful words on the horizon - ‘FINISH’. From there on, it WAS a blur – lots of clapping, side-line supporters calling out my name to encourage me along, my feet moving faster, the emotions, the line, the finish, the photographer, the medal – the beer! ‘Energetic Ewe’ specially brewed by Altitude specifically for the SMMM finish line!

It was everything I ever wanted it to be, and hiccups added to the adventure.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Do I want to push the distance further? For Sure. Onwards & Upwards!!

Thank you to Conon Ford for giving me a tonne of advice over the last few days & for being there at the finish line! And to Photos4Sale for the amazing pics!

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Have you run the Shotover Moonlight (any distance, any year)? If so we'd love to get your Rating & Review to help other Wild Things who are thinking of following in your footsteps. Thanks!