The 23rd Kepler Challenge will be held on Saturday 4th December, at the Control Gates marking the start of the Kepler Track.

     This event has been held annually since 1988, and as in previous years the route follows the 60km Kepler Track, one of the Great Walks in Fiordland National Park. The Kepler Challenge is one of the premier mountain runs in New Zealand and is becoming increasingly well recognized internationally.
     For one day a year trampers and runners rub shoulders on this spectacular route. An easy 6km warm-up along the lake shore from the Control Gates on Lake Te Anau, is followed by a steady 8.2km climb through native beech forest to the bushline and on to Luxmore Hut at 1085m. From the hut the course continues up to the tops where it undulates across the tussock terrain, ascending to 1400m and offering spectacular views of the South Fiord of the lake and the Fiordland mountains. This is followed by a knee crunching descent to Iris Burn Hut via a series of boardwalks, steps and steep track sections, and then a journey down the Iris Burn Valley to Moturau Hut on Lake Manapouri. From there it is a 6km run to the last checkpoint at Rainbow Reach, and then the home straight undulates gently along the Waiau River from Rainbow Reach back to the Control Gates. The current record holders for this event are Phil Costley at 4:37:41 in 2005 and Zelah Morrall with 5:23:34 in 2003.
     The Luxmore Grunt; the 27km sister race follows the first section of the Kepler Challenge from the Control Gates to Luxmore Hut and returns down the same route. The going is hard and fast and look out if you’re still grunting up the hill as the first runners are making their way back down! The current men’s race record holder for the Grunt is Phil Costley again who set the record in 2008 after pulling out of the Challenge at the eleventh hour due to injury. (2008 – 1:52:30) and Shireen Crumpton holds the woman’s record at 2:04:18 (1998)
     The Kepler Challenge and Luxmore Grunt mountain runs are organized by a voluntary, non-profit community committee and depend exclusively on volunteers to operate the checkpoints, provide communications, first aid and other services. On race day nearly 200 local people contribute in some way to ensure that the biggest Fiordland event runs smoothly.
     The atmosphere at the Control Gates is always a winner, with a scintillating race commentary by Noel Walker; just don’t give him any ammunition!
     Snacks will be available at the Rotary Chip Van and the Sandfly Café will keep you fuelled with their delicious coffee. The bouncy castle has proven very popular so bring the kids. The progeny will also engage in their own race again, the fundraising Race day Ramble at 9.30am. All proceeds to the Te Anau Childcare Centre.
     St Johns will be at the control gates to provide first aid and massage therapists will also be on site to deal with all those aching muscles. A tip from the masseurs is to go and stand in the lake for 10 minutes before your massage; this will help with recovery and make the massage more effective. And for a very special, aerial view of the Kepler Track and the race you will be able to jump on a scenic helicopter flight with Southern Lakes who will be on site.
     Spectators wishing to see the first Luxmore Grunt runners home should be at the finish line at the Control Gates before 10am, followed by the first Kepler Challenge runners from about 10.30am. The first local Kepler Challengers could be crossing the finish line any time after 11.15am.
     All runners, and especially those who run the race as a personal challenge, will appreciate your support at the finish line.

Open field in both women and mens

Kepler Challenge

     Martin Lukes returns this year to defend his title, but the field is an open one with no obvious names mentioned who will give him a challenge to the finish line.
     The competition for the Kepler Challenge women’s title is up for grabs and is promising to be intense this year, with two champions returning to take up the challenge to be first across the line.
     Shireen Crumption from Dunedin, holds the record for fastest woman in the Kepler Challenge’s sister race the Luxmore Grunt, set in 1998. She is returning this year to have a crack at the Kepler Challenge. Shireen set the Grunt record in 1998, but she hasn’t been sitting on her hands since then.
     She was 6th at the World Mountain Race Championship in 2002, New Zealand marathon and half-marathon Champion 2009, and winner of the women’s title in the Auckland Marathon 2010.
     Shireen enjoys mountain running and wants to challenge herself over the longer distance. Shireen has been having the odd training run with Russell Hurring of Dunback, former Kepler Challenge record holder who set the record of 4:41:32 in 1993 and was unbroken for over ten years. Russell is running the Kepler Challenge this year and aiming for a 10-year medal and a personal goal of under 5hours:46 giving him an average overall of his Kepler Challenge under five hours.
     Also returning is last year’s Kepler Challenge first woman home, Vanessa Harverd. Vanessa’s 2009 time was just over 5 hours 53 minutes. Vanessa’s time last year was just over 5 hours 53 minutes, and both women have an estimated time of 6 hours for this year’s event.

Kepler Runners on ridge

Photo: Graham Dainty

Hanging Valley Drink Station

Results 2010

Kepler Challenge

Men:
1. Vajin Armstrong     Christchurch     05:03:27
2. Norman Dunroy     Dunedin            05:04:56
3. Martin Lukes     Christchurch         05:08:09
4. Grant Guise     Castle hill village   05:30:28
5. Luke Vaughan     Christchurch      05:38:12

Women:
1. Shireen Crumpton     Dunedin     05:46:02
2. Vanessa Haverd     Canberra, act, australia     05:52:02
3. Sarah Coglan           Queenstown     06:07:22
4. Jean Beaumont     Waitakere          06:31:05
5. Isobel Bespalov     Melbourne, australia     06:43:40

Luxmore Grunt

Men:
1. Matt Pepler     Christchurch     02:01:15
2. Nathan Jones     North canterbury     02:01:46
3. Mathew Broad     Winton     02:13:53
4. Richard Ford     Otautau     02:15:22
5. Jeremy Holmes     Invercargill     02:26:09

Women:
1. Fiona Kokich     Queenstown     02:31:31
2. Lisa Brignull     Christchurch     02:32:06
3. Genevieve Bourke     Invercargill     02:34:58
4. Korina Somerville     Winton     02:41:28
5. Janine Maraki     Christchurch     02:47:27

Photo: Graham Dainty

Kepler Runner running across the tops

Local Predictions
Kepler Challenge Local Entrants

A short overview of who’s running from the area with the reportedly highest per capita number of mountain runners in the world!

Adrian Braasma - Adrian has been busy burning fat over the winter in preparation for the Challenge, saving on the firewood.

Chris Hankin - Chris is a bit of a dabbler in various multi-sport races including individual Coast to Coast in 2008…This is his first crack at the Challenge.

Marcella Robertson - Marcella did the Challenge last year because Katie told her to. This year she’s doing it again because Katie told her to run faster.

Samantha McBride - Being on the Committee has made Samantha keen to take on the Challenge herself. Now the rush is on to get it in before the big 40.

Holly McLean - Holly has been running for the past 7 years, and in 2009 completed the Ironman in Taupo. After declaring she’d never be that insane again, guess what she’s doing this year…!

James Jones - James is keeping tight-lipped about the race; he doesn’t want to scare the others

Natalie Calder - Natalie completed the Grunt in 2005 and has been wanting to do the full course ever since but life has got in the way. It’s all on this year and she hopes to have a great run. Good luck Nat.

Dayle Stevens - Dayle is a local helicopter pilot, and is used to getting over the mountains fast. It looks easy from the air, but Dayle has done a few Coast to Coasts so he won’t be fooled.

Jason Carter - Jason has been training in the Swedish mountains in preparation for his first Challenge. He’s had a few runs up the Track just to check it out before the big day.

Les Scown - Les has a background of cross country road and mountain running, and has completed 3 marathons. He reckons he’s not so fast these days but has the stamina to finish.

Bradley Foote - Bradley plays rugby for the local club, and thinks it would be good to quieten down a few of the boys by doing the Kepler. Maybe they’ll join you next year Bradley!

Yvonne Green - This is Yvonne’s 2nd Kepler Challenge and she thinks she’s addicted now.

Ray Willett - Ray is back to experience once again the thunderous applause from the remaining half dozen loyal fans who have been waiting since early the day before for his arrival!

Luxmore Grunt Local Entrants 2010

Diana McGlade - Diana completed the Motatapu marathon in 2008 and 2010 and has maintained some fitness since then. Now the focus is on getting through the Grunt with a smile…

Erin Robertson - Erin used to do a lot of running, but now she is on the wrong side of 40, thought she would get fit again and do the Grunt. A half marathon 20 years ago is the longest distance she has run. Some things get better with age Erin!

Kate Norris - Kate thinks that after running after small children for 6 years its now time to run away from them. Training will consist of running until they are out of earshot. Just as well husband Steve is there in a supporting role…

Bridget Speight - Bridget ran the Grunt in 4 hours last year. That was her first try at running, and it obviously didn’t put her off.

Yasuko Oyachi - This is Yasuko’s first time in the Grunt, but in the last five years she’s done the Humpridge, Kepler, Routeburn, Milford and Dusky tracks, so is no stranger to the terrain.

Kathleen Christie - Kathleen has been working out hard playing squash, attending the local gym, and training on the Kepler Track.

Cathy Lewsley - Cathy is keen to improve on last year’s time. This is her 4th Grunt and the track is her main training ground for every event she’s run in the last 20 years. She says the footing is lovely and soft like an old pair of slippers.

Jackie Knowles - For Jackie the Grunt is the highlight of her year, and a goal of a lifetime. This determined lady has lost 50 kg in 50 weeks. Her mantra in life is ‘If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got’. Go for it Jackie!

Stephanie Bird - Stephanie has completed one Grunt and one Challenge, had a baby so is Grunting again…

Margaret Genge - Margaret’s aim is to beat her previous time. She wanted to sit down and put her feet up at the 23km mark last year so is working on her endurance. She is sure she can get up that hill faster.

Suzanne Carruthers - Yippee! Says Suzanne because husband Paul made it in. She thinks he’ll win going up but she’ll have the last say going down.

Jayne Bevan - Jayne has been training for months and is aiming for a similar time as she achieved in 2008. Good luck Jayne.

Paul Carruthers - Paul is really looking forward to training with Suzanne. He is SURE they will not be competitive towards each other, only encouraging. Watch out on the downhill Paul!

Andy Grant - Andy is a keen outdoors man. And a man of few words, so no predictions of how it will go from him.

Sarah Murphy - Sarah has been looking up at Mt Luxmore daily for 10 years, and has decided that 2010 is the year for her to ‘Knock the bugger off’. Her support team of husband and 3 children will all be waiting at the finish line.

Jo Whitehead - Jo is a local lass keen for a run. There is nothing like looking out your office window to the mighty mountain for a bit of inspiration to get up and out there.

Zara Taylor - Zara runs for fitness and personal enjoyment. She ran 22 km at Outward Bound, the Grunt should be easy after that!

Rachel Tither - Rachel has lived in Te Anau all her life, and feels it is time to take up the challenge to push herself and get up that hill she looks at every day out the window.

Emiko Imahori - Emiko is a first time competitor in the Luxmore Grunt and will be happy just to cross the finish line.

Kieran Stevenson - Kieran has competed in various cross country and multi-sport events, and is looking forward to his first mountain running experience.

Leigh Schuck - Leigh has zero race history but the Grunt is a challenge for the year in which she turns 50.

Melanie Ure - Melanie wants to see if she still can now she is 30! (Talk to Leigh, Melanie…)

Alan Johnston - Alan is back for his 4th Grunt, taking a rest year again after completing the Challenge 6 times!

Gary Jones - Gary has done the Grunt once before, and thinks he can better his time now he knows what its all about.