The race simply known as Western States runs point to point from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, starting at 5 a.m. and giving runners just under 30 hours to reach the finish. In the first four and a half miles, the trail climbs 2,550 vertical feet from the valley floor up to Emigrant Pass at 8,750 feet, before following original routes worn by the gold and silver miners of the 1850s. From there the course piles on another 15,540 feet of climbing and 22,970 feet of descending, most of it through remote, rugged country a long way from the nearest road.

Jones has run Western States three times and finished top five every time, fifth in 2023, fourth in 2024, and fifth in 2025. His 14:32:29 in 2024 was close to an hour quicker than his debut the year before. A podium has eluded him so far, and he is clear about where he wants this one to end.

“If I aim for the win and end up on the podium, that’ll still be a massive goal ticked off.”

Read more about Dan’s buildup on his Substack here.

The confidence comes from a year of doing things his own way. Jones took over his own coaching last October and put together the heaviest training block of his career.

“This has been one of the biggest training blocks of my life,” he said. “I’ve incorporated double-threshold sessions across both flat and hill workouts, and worked closely with Marcos from Rehab Physio to build a strength routine twice a week. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life.”

The Wellington-based runner came to 100-mile racing through cross country, multisport, and road, with a marathon best of 2:16, and he thinks that range is why he holds up late in a long race. “The multisport endurance made me robust, and the road running gave me just enough speed in the legs to cross over to trail. I wish there was a bit more track and fast-twitch in that mix, though.”

That road speed suits Western States, one of the faster, more runnable 100-milers on the calendar, and it shapes his plans after California. “If I achieve [the win], I’ll likely pivot to UTMB or CCC. Those races require building the climbing and descending fitness, areas where I believe I have the most to gain. But right now I enjoy the faster courses, using the relative speed while I’ve still got it.”

Follow the Western States Endurance Run here.

For Fielder, her first Western States, in 2025, was a 100-mile debut that started well and then not so well. She tore a quad partway through and still finished eighth, dropping only one place after the injury hit.

“The first 110km of the course went really well,” she said. “Even though the injury held me back a lot, I was still able to finish it and only lost one position, which gives me a lot of confidence. I looked after myself well, still got in my nutrition, and paced the first 110km pre-quad really well.”

This year she is fit, prepared, and no longer thinking about simply reaching the finish. She wants to be in the fight at the front, with a big jump in time the first marker of that. “I’d really like to take off a significant amount of time compared to last year, which I think is achievable. Going into last year’s Western States, I didn’t feel very prepared training-wise, and this year I’ve had a good amount of time to prepare properly. Last year was about just getting to the finish, but I’m hoping this year I’ll be able to be more competitive.”

The field she is taking on is stacked with talent; most of the 2025 top ten are returning, and Olympic marathon medallist Molly Seidel is making her 100-mile debut. Fielder’s answer to that is to run her own race. “While I want to be up there in a competitive position, I’m usually pretty good at not getting carried away with someone else’s race. In my head I usually think everyone else’s race is none of my business, and I just try and race however I feel best on the day.”

She prepared at her base in Andorra, training at altitude with her support team around her. The mountains there aren’t a perfect match for a runnable California course, but she likes the balance she has struck. “It’s pretty mountainous, which makes it harder to find flatter trails for training for Western States, but I feel really strong. We still have to climb over 5,000m and descend over 6,600m, so I feel confident about that. I also trained a lot on the flat at the beginning of the year for Tarawera, so I’m confident that will come through as well.”

Asked what it’s like to be part of New Zealand’s presence on the global trail scene, Fielder has nothing but pride for how Kiwis show up. “It’s always really awesome being able to represent NZ with some really strong athletes beside me, and I’m really proud of how we show up. To be honest, as trail runners we’ve been showing up for a while. We’re always consistently up there.”

She is chasing the win here, and bigger wins beyond it. “It’s been great seeing how much faster and more competitive the women are becoming, and I’m stoked to be part of the rising tide. I’d love to win some of these bigger races, and I just want to make sure I’ll have longevity in the sport.”

Two of New Zealand’s best will be out in the heat of the canyons that undo strong runners every year, both chasing the win.

Follow the Western States Endurance Run here.

Libby McGee, Athletics NZ’s Participation and Systems Manager, says the calendar showcases the strength of road and cross country running nationwide:
“These events are a highlight for our athletes and communities. Road and cross-country racing are right at the heart of our sport, and it’s fantastic to see these championships hosted right across the motu. With 14 out-of-stadia championship events on the 2026 calendar, it’s going to be another big year ahead.”

Jason Cameron, Head of Rotorua Marathon and Growth Events, adds that the trail, mountain, and ultra-distance races continue to attract a passionate following:
“Trail and ultra running have seen incredible growth in recent years. Events like the 3 Peaks Mountain Race and The Spectacle offer unique challenges and stunning courses.”

2026 Out of Stadia Championships Calendar

NZ 24 Hour Championships – Auckland – 21–22 March 2026

The AUT Millennium Track on Auckland’s North Shore will again host the 24 Hour Championships.

NZ 50km Championships – Rotorua – 7 November 2026

The 50km title will be contested as part of the Legend of the Peaks in Rotorua. Legend of the Peaks is an epic combination of amazing trails, with a festival vibe that includes expo, music, food and good times.

NZ Masters Marathon Championships – Rotorua – 2 May 2026

The 2025 Red Stag Rotorua Marathon will again host the Masters Marathon Championships, featuring its iconic lap around Lake Rotorua. Athletics New Zealand members receive 20% off their entry price to any distance at the Red Stag Rotorua Marathon. Email marathon@athletics.org.nz to receive your discount code.

NZ Mountain Running Championships – Wellington – 18 April 2026

The hills of Wellington will stage the Mountain Running Championships in 2026. The course will be ready as runners around the nation descend on the capital.

NZ Short Trail Championships – Dunedin – 15 March 2026

The 3 Peaks Mountain Race in Dunedin will serve as the Short Trail Championships, navigating demanding hills and technical trails.

NZ Road Mile Championships – Dunedin – 12 September 2026

The day before the Dunedin Marathon, George Street will be lit up by flying milers racing through the central city.

NZ Half Marathon Championships – Christchurch – 12 April 2026

The Christchurch Marathon will host the Half Marathon Championships on their flat, fast course. The 2025 edition of the race saw flying times as perfect conditions fell on the garden city.

NZ Cross Country Championships – Christchurch – 1 August 2026

The 2026 NZ Cross Country Championships will return to Hagley Park for the second year. 2025 saw over 600 athletes take to the brand new course around North Hagley Park, as golden tickets to the 2026 World Cross Country Championships were handed out.

NZ 10km Road Championships – New Plymouth – 29 August 2026

New Plymouth will welcome athletes for the 10km Road Championships.

NZ Marathon Championships – Whanganui – 29 November 2026

The PAK’n SAVE Whanganui 3 Bridges Marathon will host the Marathon Championships along the scenic Whanganui River.

NZ Road Relay Championships – Manawatu, Whanganui – 3 October 2026

The beloved NZ Road Relay Championships will return to the Manawatu, Whanganui region again. The exact course location and information are to be confirmed.

NZ 100km Championships – Christchurch – 1 November 2026

Hagley Park will also host the 100km Championships, a true test of endurance.

NZ 5km Championships – Nelson – 5 December 2026

The Spectacle event in Nelson will feature the 5km Championships, bringing high-energy racing to the vibrant city centre.

NZ Long Trail Championships – Nelson – 5 December 2026

The Long Trail Championships will also join the NZ 5km Championships at The Spectacle in Nelson. The Spectacle boasts a stunning and gruelling adventure through the mountains that surround Nelson.

Looking Ahead: Regions for 2027 and 2028 Confirmed

Athletics New Zealand is also pleased to confirm the regions that will host Out of Stadia Championships in 2027 and 2028. This forward planning aims to provide certainty for athletes and their supporters, enabling them to plan more effectively and experience events across different parts of the country.

Cam Mitchell, Athletics NZ Chief Executive, says:
“By announcing the regions for 2027 and 2028, we’re giving athletes and their communities the ability to plan ahead. It also reflects our commitment to spreading our out-of-stadia events around the country, ensuring that runners from all regions have the chance to compete close to home and experience the diversity of New Zealand’s landscapes.”

2027 Out of Stadia Championships

• Auckland – NZ Half Marathon Championships
• Waikato/Bay of Plenty – NZ Cross Country Championships (Hamilton)
• Taranaki – NZ Road Mile Championships
• Manawatū/Wanganui – NZ Masters Marathon Championships
• Tasman – NZ 5km Road Championships, NZ Long Trail Championships, NZ Mountain Running Championships
• Canterbury – NZ 24 Hour Championships (May), NZ Road Relay Championships
• Otago – NZ Marathon Championships
• Southland – NZ 10km Road Championships

2028 Out of Stadia Championships

• Northland – NZ Long Trail Championships
• Auckland – NZ 24 Hour Championships, NZ 5km Road Championships
• Waikato/Bay of Plenty – NZ Marathon Championships (Rotorua), NZ Mountain Running Championships (Mount Maunganui), NZ Road Relay Championships (Taupō)
• Taranaki – NZ 10km Road Championships (Palmerston North)
• Wellington – NZ Cross Country Championships
• Tasman – NZ Road Mile Championships, NZ Short Trail Championships
• Canterbury – NZ Half Marathon Championships, NZ 50km & 100km Championships
• Otago – NZ Masters Marathon Championships

Athletics New Zealand brings two National Championships together on the same day at the same event, and it’s going down at The Spectacle Trail & Road Running Festival in Whakatū, Nelson, on Saturday 6 December.

This exciting double-header will see the New Zealand Road Mile Championships and the New Zealand 50km Championships integrated into one of the country’s most unique and fast-growing running festivals. 

Set in the stunning surrounds of Nelson, The Spectacle is a true festival of running. Every bit as tough-trail scenic as it is a road-speedsters’ paradise. Hosting the full gamut of running, from a 100-mile ultra, 10km trail run, to a 5km road race. 

Over 5000 fans packed the inner-Nelson loop as milers flew around the course in the inaugural 2024 event, before the post-race festivities began. The Black Seeds played late into the night, in a free concert celebrating the inaugural year of the event. They’ll be back jamming into the night to close out the 2025 event! 

The Mile

2024 saw a high-quality international elite road mile field assemble in Nelson for a road mile showcase, harkening back to the iconic 1983 Queen Street mile, which saw Mike Boit run 3:28.36 down Queen Street.

In 2025, the Mile returns with even more energy. Hosting the New Zealand road mile championships will see top Kiwi athletes line up in the elite fields to go head-to-head with some of the best in the world. All chasing finish-line glory and, for our Kiwi competitors, national titles. 

The course in Nelson is electric, with crowds packing the entire circuit. Racers complete 2.15 laps of the circuit around central Nelson. 

Read more about the logistics for the 2025 New Zealand Road Mile Championships.

The 50km

On the other end of the spectrum, the 50km Championships offer a true test of grit. This year’s course will take athletes on a scenic yet demanding journey through the Nelson region, blending challenging climbing and descending with some incredible scenery that ultra runners thrive on. Participants in 2024 raved about the scenic and challenging course through the local trails. 

Jason Cameron, Head of Out of Stadia Events at Athletics NZ, is excited about the partnership:

“We look forward to partnering with The Spectacle on these exciting competitive opportunities with the athletics community. The Spectacle is an amazing event, gaining prominence nationally and internationally with its unique fusion of trail and road races. Staging the Road Mile and 50km Championships will be an epic combination for our trail and road devotees or even as a gruelling back-to-back double for the more adventurous.”

“We’re excited to be partnering with high-quality events in the running market to offer a different running and competition experience. We’re aiming to build the profile of running in our host regions and provide great opportunities for our member clubs and athletes to get involved too.”

Athletics NZ is proud to be working alongside The Spectacle team to deliver a truly unforgettable event.

Whether you’re a miler, an ultra runner, or just love being part of the action, this is your chance to experience something special. 

Enter by midnight, 27 September, to beat the price rise. Enter here.

View the policy and competition information

Any queries can be directed to John Bowden

john@athletics.org.nz

Competing in maximum temperatures of up to 28C, the 31-year-old from Trentham United Harriers ran the 85.5km and 5554m of altitude gain sensibly. Placed 46^th at the 41.9km checkpoint he gradually advance through the field in the second half of the race to snag 39^th in a time of 11:17:32.

The performance earned him a finishing position four places superior to the 2022 edition of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and considering the greater depth of countries competing in Austria compared with in Thailand last November today was a more high-quality display by the Kiwi endurance athlete.

Hill said: “To compete at any World Championships is a special feeling and buzz. It is always interesting how different countries perform, and it was great to be a part of it.

“The heat was a major factor today with quite large distances between the aid stations,” he says. “It was not crazy heat, but enough when you are working really hard up some massive climbs without any cover.

“My hydration was not where it needed to be today, but I enjoyed how challenging the course was. There was a lot of technical elements and most of the course was on single track. The trail was spectacular.”

Samuel Hansby, the 2022 New Zealand long trail running champion of Wellington Harriers, stuck gamely to his task to complete the gruelling distance in 93^rd (13:01:07). However, the third Kiwi Wayne Botha (Takapuna) did not get to the checkpoint in time and was forced to withdraw a little before halfway.

French athlete Benjamin Roubiol took gold in 9:52:59 and also helped his nation secure team gold.

New Zealand’s sole representative in the women’s race Shannon-Leigh Litt (Hatea Harriers) took a wrong turn and had to DNF before the 30km mark.

France experienced more joy in the women’s race taking out the individual victory courtesy of Marion Delespierre in 11:22:31 and also secured team gold.

The fourth and final day of action in Innsbruck-Stubai takes place today with nine Kiwis competing in the 15.5km Classic Mountain Race.

First up at 9pm Saturday (NZ time) is 2022 and 2023 national U20 mountain champion Ben Rickerby (Auckland City), who will compete in the U20 men’s race.

Four Kiwis line up in the men’s senior race at 10pm led by 2023 New Zealand Mountain Running champion and men’s team captain Andy Good (University of Canterbury). Returning after competing in the uphill only mountain race on day one of the championships are Toby Bachelor (Pakuranga), Niam Macdonald (Wellington Scottish) and Michael Sutton (Athletics Tauranga).

The championship climaxes with the women’s classic race at midnight with four Kiwis seeking a good performance. Teenager Maia Flint (VUW Athletics) was the lead New Zealander in the uphill-only race and will be looking to make an impact in her second race of the championships. Also returning after competing on day one, are Sarah Douglas (Queenstown) and Sabrina Edwards (Lake City). Andrea Peat (Wellington Harriers) makes her first appearance of the championships.

***For live results go here

***There will be a livestream of the event via the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships see more here  and via their Facebook page

The 30-year-old Athletics Nelson athlete executed a smart tactical race to complete the gruelling 45.5km distance with a total of 3132m of elevation gain in a time of 5:21:10.

Starting out in good conditions in the city of Innsbruck before heading out to the craggy peaks of the Stubai Alps, Andorra-based Fielder, who has only been competing seriously in the sport for ‘four or five years’, started conservatively and hit the 23.5km checkpoint – a little after half distance in 19^th.

However, as the rain started to fall with increasing ferocity in the second half of the race and utilising her strengths on the downhill, Fielder, a consistent performer on the Golden Trail Series over the past couple of seasons, made a strong late push to advance from 16^th at the 38.4km split up to her final finishing position of 12^th.

The Kiwi athlete, who is a professional artist and the partner of Kiwi Tour de France cyclist George Bennett, said: “I knew it would be a brutal course. I spent a week prior checking out the course and I also knew having a course that was net uphill would make it more difficult because my strength is more in the downhills. I felt I gave it as much as I could, and I pushed really hard on that final downhill. My dream scenario would have been a top five but for me 12^th was the best that I could do today.”

Fielder, who is coached by six-time former World Mountain Running champion Jono Wyatt, admitted the race was one of the hardest she has experienced but she relished competing in the Kiwi vest.

“The crowds were really encouraging, and it was cool to run for New Zealand because usually I’m racing for my sponsors,” she added.

Of the three other Kiwi athletes in the race, New Zealand trail running champion Katie Morgan (Run Timaru) placed 50^th (5:57:34) – inside the top third of the 164-strong field – followed by Jessica Campbell of Sumner AC who clocked 6:26:07 in 75^th. Amelia Horne (Athletics Nelson) was the fourth Kiwi home in 100^th (7:02:40).

French athlete Clementine Geoffray took individual gold in 4:53:12 and led France to team victory. New Zealand finished a highly respectable 11^th in the team competition with Fielder, Morgan and Campbell clocking a cumulative time of 17:44:51.

In the men’s short trail race, New Zealand’s lone competitor Dwight Grieve (Fiordland) placed 110^th out of a field of 185 – completing the distance in 5:46:48. Stian Hovind Angermund of Norway in 4:19:00 took individual gold to retain the title he won in Thailand last year.

The increasingly torrential run saw the race suspended with around 50 athletes unable to finish.   

Day three of the championships features the 85.6km long trail race – with 5554m of elevation gain – which starts at 4.30pm (NZ time) on Friday.

New Zealand boasts a three-strong men’s team led by Weston Hill (Trentham United Harriers), who finished a respectable 43^rd in this race at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand. He is joined by the 2022 national long trail running champion Samuel Hansby (Wellington Harriers) and the vastly experienced Wayne Botha (Takapuna Harriers). Shannon-Leigh Litt (Hatea Harriers), a former New Zealand 100km champion, is the sole Kiwi competing in the women’s long trail race.

***For live results go here

***There will be a livestream of the event via the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships see more here  and via their Facebook page

The twelve Mountain running athletes are:

Senior Women:
Sarah Douglas Queenstown Athletics Club, Coach Jono Wyatt
Kate Morrison Sumner Running Club, Coach Sia Svendsen
Maia Flint VUW Athletics, Coach James Kuegler
Andrea Peat Wellington Harrier and Athletic Club, Self- Coached
Sabrina Edwards Lake City Athletics, Coach Michael Aish
Miriam Clark UC Athletics Club, Coach Jono Wyatt

Senior Men:
Andy Good University of Canterbury, Coach Matthew Ingram
Toby Batchelor Pakuranga Athletic Club, Coach Lindsay Dey
Michael Sutton Athletics Tauranga, Coach John Bowden
Niam Macdonald-Joslin Wellington Scottish Athletics, Coach Rowan Hooper

Junior Woman:
Stella Hammond Oratia running, Coach Alana Lythe

Junior Man:
Benjamin Rickerby Auckland City Athletics Club, Coach Vaughn Craddock

The ten Trail running athletes are:

Senior Women:
Katie Morgan Run Timaru, Self- Coached
Jessica Campbell Sumner Running Club, Coach Sarah Biss
Amelia Horne Athletics Nelson, Self- Coached
Caitlin Fielder Athletics Nelson, Coach Jono Wyatt
Shannon Leigh-Litt Hatea Harriers, Coach John Bowden

Senior Men:
Weston Hill Trentham United Harriers, Self- Coached
Ryan Carr Queenstown Athletic Club, Coach Dom Channon
Dwight Grieve Fiordland Club, Coach Shaun Cantwell
Samuel Hansby Wellington Harrier Athletic Club, Coach Nick Hansby
Wayne Botha Takapuna Harriers, Self-Coached

Each of the athletes bring with them significant experience and achievements over the Mountain and Trail events with eight athletes having competed in last year’s world championships in Thailand.

We wish them all the best for the rest of their preparations in the lead up to the championships, and we are looking forward to seeing what they can do in Austria.

The Upper Hutt beef and lamb farmers performance was nothing short of outstanding, winning by a margin of nearly twenty minutes and bettering Gavin Dale’s course record of 5:22.02 set last year, with a time of 4:54:48. Daniel Jones was second in 5:15:42 and American, Oak Jones from New Plymouth third in 5:19:40 ahead of Dwight Grieve 5:36:47 and Chris Bisley 5:38:25. Hill, the 2020 champion, from winning the 53km Crater Rim event in Christchurch, was apprehensive going into the race, “it was unexpected as I’ve been pretty flat all week so I was apprehensive coming down to Dunedin. I started slow but steady just to see how I was going to go, and it turned out alright.”

Weston Hill and Daniel Jones were the pre-race favourites heading into Saturday’s showdown and the race unfolded with the two individuals at the front just as expected.  “Dan and I ran together up and over Flagstaff and then I led a bit down to the first aid station. We then ran together for quite a while until the main climb up Longridge where I got a gap. I then held that for much of the rest of the race,” said Hill. “I ended up breaking the record as I was running scared from Dan more than anything,” he added. The 31 year old who represented New Zealand at the world trail running championships in Thailand in November, admitted that he hadn’t had a great build up to the race, despite setting a course record of 6:04:05 at the Motatapu 52.5km Ultra run in Queenstown three weeks ago. “I’ve been working on the farm in Upper Hutt and haven’t had that many work outs, so I was happy just to survive today,” said Hill.

Katie Morgan repeated her triumph from last year, sealing a commanding victory in the women’s race. Morgan came home in 5:48:29, just over six minutes ahead of Margie Campbell with Naomi Brand third in 5:59:49. Morgan who took up trail running two years ago was pleased with the run, “it was perfect conditions, completely dry and not too hot with stunning views which were great as the day before it was all in cloud up there,” she said. “I took it easy up to Flagstaff and I let Margie and Naomi go ahead but had them in sight at the top and then the three of us were all together for quite some time. I then pulled away into the lead at Pulpit Rock and tried to keep the hammer down as Margie wasn’t too far behind me. I battled up Mount Cargill and hammered the downhill and I gave it all I had at the end.”

Full results here.

Last year, Daniel claimed two victories (in January and December) at the Kepler Challenge, an impressive victory in the 100km Lake Sonoma race in the US and finished top of the podium at both Auckland Marathons (in January and October) and the Queenstown Marathon.

More recently the 32-year-old Wellington-based athlete produced, arguably, the performance of his career by winning the 102km Tarawera Ultramarathon – clocking a race record time of 7:27:55.

And next up he makes his 3 Peaks Plus 1 debut, relishing his latest endurance examination over the 55km distance.

“My main goal for the season is the Western States 100 mile, so I’ll be using 3 Peaks as a nice carrot as part of my build up,” he says.

“After Tarawera I gave my body a couple of weeks to rest up and I’ve been back training for about four to five weeks so I’m using New Zealand Trail Running champs as a good opportunity to kick-start things.

Daniel acknowledges the elevation gain of more than 2000m up the three peaks of Flagstaff, Swampy and Mt Cargill is significant and he has not tapered for this race as he looks to steps up his preparations for the Western States 100 – the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile race.

However, the 2021 New Zealand marathon champion is ready to give his best and put in a quality performance on Sunday.

“It will be nice to head overseas for the big trail races with the title of New Zealand champion, if I can get it. I know it is not as well recognised as a national title on the track, road or cross country but it is still a big deal.”

Jones, who boasts a marathon PB of 2:16:15 set at the 2019 Gold Coast Marathon, opted to focus more on trail and ultra-running after watching YouTube videos while stranded in Kenya during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020.

It has not been a decision he has regretted as the Wellington Scottish athlete has built up a growing reputation on the trails, which seems to perfectly suit his running skillset.

“I think coming from a marathon background I have a decent pace compared to some other trail runners and I have a big engine honed from my background in New Zealand hunting and walking the hills,” he explains.

“I did multisport for a few years, running five or six hours a day stage racing in China – and I think over time you start to build up a big endurance base I don’t have heaps of gears, I think my marathon PB is just about double my half marathon PB (1:07:11). I have one speed, and just go for it!”

Combining working as a part-time coach and working for Sharesies the online investment platform allows him to train between 180-230km per week at a peak.

Self-coached he enjoys running the Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park – which is located close to his home in South Karori – while the Mount Climie track in the Hutt Valley – which comprises around 600/700m of elevation per lap is another favourite.

And while this weekend is an important event, it should not be lost that running the Western States 100 – remains the key goal for his year. New Zealand has a rich race history in the event after Ruth Croft won the women’s race at the 2022 edition and Dan takes a lot of inspiration from the West Coast athlete.

“Seeing Ruth finish second in 2021 and come back and win in 2022 was huge for New Zealand Trail Running. She’s such an awesome person as well. Coming from small town New Zealand to see her have a crack at top races has been really cool.”

Ruth does not plan to defend her title at the Western States 100 – which takes place in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains on June 24-25 – but Daniel will feature alongside the likes of fellow Kiwi Scotty Hawker and Nancy Jiang, who won the women’s race at the Tarawera Ultramarathon last month.

Taking a diligent approach to training he will put a big emphasis on vertical training and will spend time in the sauna to aid heat acclimation – with temperatures expected to soar to between 38-40C on race day in California.

So what does he hope to achieve on the day at Western States?

“To have a top five finish would be awesome, a podium even better but I’d be happy with a top ten.”

By Steve Landells

***Follow the results of the New Zealand Short Course Trail Running Championships, which feature as part of the 3 Peaks Mountain Race here

The grueling event covers three peaks plus one for a total distance of 55km. It covers 22km of the iconic 26km three peaks route with a detour to take in the extra 33km consisting of a brutally steep climb up Mount Cargill including single track running through native bush and a river crossing. The finish is at Chingford Park North East Valley.

Hill is the 2020 champion winning the 53km Crater Rim event in Christchurch in 4:38:31. He represented New Zealand at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand in November.

Jones is the in-form ultra-distance runner having won the Kepler 60km challenge in December in 4:43:14 and the 102km Tarawera Ultramarathon in February in 7:27:55.

Chris Bisley of Dunedin has the benefit of experiencing the demanding course having won in 2021 in 5:27:11. Glen Chisholm of Clyde – tenth last year and second master – returns along with experienced master runner Dwight Grieve of Te Anau and Kelvin Meade of Invercargill, second in the masters at the New Zealand Mountain Running Championships last year.

World barefoot 100km record holder Wayne Botha of Takapuna will add interest to the event.

Katie Morgan of Fairlie will be defending the women’s title she won on the Crater Rim 53km in October. Morgan also won the Kepler Challenge last year in 5:59:25.

Margie Campbell of Dunedin, who won last year’s Dunedin Marathon in 2:56:08, will be in the hunt for a podium placing. 

Rose Pearson of Cambridge won the 3 Peaks 55km in 2021 in 6:40:13, Jessica Campbell of Christchurch, who represented New Zealand at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, was third in 6:48:30. Both return for the national championship.

Naomi Brand from South Africa recently relocated to Auckland and completed the recent Tarawera Ultramarathon 102km in ten hours.

Anna O’Byrne of Dunedin, first master last year in 6:59:59, returns to tackle the 55km. 

Last year Gavin Dale set a course record of 5:22:02 and Ruth Croft the women’s record of 5:33:30. The race starts from Woodhaugh Street Dunedin at 6am.

By Murray McKinnon

***The race results from the 2023 New Zealand Short Course Trail Running Championships can be seen here

2023 World Para Athletics Championships
The initial selection announcement date for this team has been brought forward one week and will now be announced by 5pm Thursday 6 April 2023. Please click here to review the competition information and updated selection policy.

Any queries on this can be directed to Brianna Maynard.

2023 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships
The application closing date for this team has been extended by a week and will now close at 5pm on Friday 5 March 2023. Please click here to review the competition information and updated selection policy.

Any queries on this can be directed to John Bowden.

Leading the challenge was two-time New Zealand Trail Running champion Weston Hill, who produced a strong finish in the closing kilometres to finish a respectable 43^rd in the men’s 80km long course trail race.

Making his debut in the Silver Singlet, Hill, who has recently recovered from a bout of Covid, passed the 8.8km split in 35^th but by the 66km checkpoint the Kiwi had slipped down the standings to 49^th.

However, producing a late surge the 30-year-old of Trentham United Harriers picked off a number of athletes in the latter stages to stop the clock in 8:46:00 and achieve the best finishing position by a Kiwi at the championships so far.

Hill said: “It was a tough, long day. I’m still only two weeks post-Covid, so I’m stoked to have given it everything. I’m fully broken but really proud to have worn the jersey and done everything possible.

“It was super hot, as expected, so it was a hard to manage because the stomach finds it hard to take liquid (in the heat). The course was brutal, a lot of four-wheel drive roads downhill which was very challenging but also varied climbs, some were runnable some were very steep. I had to use poles for some sections and the combo made for a challenging day out. It was one of the tougher courses I’ve competed in.

“The top 30 is where I were aiming but considering the conditions, I’m stoked that I’ve done everything I could.”

Adam Peterman of the USA claimed a comprehensive victory by a near-13-minute margin to strike gold in a time of 7:15:53.

Earlier in the short trail races over 40km, Jessica Campbell (Sumner Running Club) executed an unyielding performance to place 51st in the women’s 40km event. Meanwhile, in the men’s race Ryan Carr of Queenstown AC produced a similarly gutsy effort in temperatures close to 30C to place 58^th.

Campbell, 36, the New Zealand Mountain Running silver medallist, admitted the conditions were highly demanding so she was delighted to dip under the five-hour mark, clocking a time of 4:51:03

“The heat made it a real test of my mental strength, some of the climbs were steep and challenging,” adds Christchurch-based Campbell who arrived to live in New Zealand from her native Canada 11 years ago. “It was dry and hard-packed, and the legs took a beating on the descents. But overall, it was a really good event and I’m happy to have broken five hours.”

Victory in the women’s short trail race went to Romanian Denisa Ionela Dragomir in a time of 3:49:23.

Making his New Zealand debut the 33-year-old Carr hit the 18.6km split in 57^th spot and plugged on gamely for the remainder of the race to completing the gruelling challenge in a time of 4:13:37.

Carr, who is based in Glenorchy and works as a shepherd, said: “The heat was a major factor today. There was nowhere to hide on some of the climbs and maybe a couple of times I lacked a bit of water. Climbing up through the little gullies there was no wind at all and although I did enjoy a lot of it, when you end up doing a death march it is tough going.

“It was awesome to pull on the Silver Singlet and wear the Silver Fern. To be given a flag around the final corner and to finish with the New Zealand flag was pretty cool.”

Norway’s Stian Angermund produced a commanding performance to strike gold in 3:08:29 to clinch a decisive victory from Italy’s Francesco Puppi in silver.

Two Kiwis are in action on the final day of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships on Sunday. Benjamin Rickerby (Auckland City Athletics) competes in the men’s U20 classic mountain race (uphill and downhill) at 2.30pm (NZ time) and Queenstown’s Sarah Douglas, following her 44^th place finish in the senior women’s uphill only mountain race on Friday, returns to the competitive fray in the senior’s women’s uphill/downhill mountain race at 5pm (NZ time).

Full results from go here

For more information on the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships go here