The women of Hiking New Zealand are an active bunch – balancing work, children and a love of the outdoors. They try to get out for a midweek training session as often as they can, which often consists of bike riding, trail running and hiking.
One of their most recent trips was an overnighter, and in the lead-up, the talk around the Hiking NZ office was incessant – ‘Let’s run the Abel Tasman!’
Director Anne Murphy shared their adventure with the Macpac Blog.
Working and exercising together is just what Hiking NZ Marketing Coordinator Michelle McConnon and I do. We try hard not to talk about work when we are out running and cycling (Instagram posts don’t count) but talking about exercise at work is perfect! It is all part of our company health and well-being programme.
The team heading off down Onetahuti Beach.
The #midweekmission girls at Bark Bay Hut – Donna, Michelle, Anne, Claire and Kate
Running the Abel Tasman was proving to be a bit of a nemesis for Michelle. A bunch of us girls spent a weekend there in 2013 and ran a portion of the track in a day, but unfortunately Michelle took ill and had to spend the day in bed while we all ran. We tried to relieve her FOMO (fear of missing out), but you can only talk down endless golden sand beaches and a perfectly undulating trail for running so far.
This time was going to be different – it had to be! We gathered five of our usual #midweekmission girls to hit the road after school drop off on the Friday morning, and within 20 minutes, the first coffee stop was already called for.
As with any good weekend away in rural New Zealand, the first night needs to be spent in the local pub. Being in the very heart of winter, there wasn’t much choice in Kaiteriteri, but then again we didn’t need selection as the ‘Beached Whale’ provided everything we needed – roaring fire, nice pinot and tasty wood-fired pizza.
The next day we caught the water taxi from Marahau. It’s a treat and as kiwis you can’t help but get the same happy grin as the tourists as you pile into the boat and get towed out with the tractor into the deeper water. It just feels so New Zealand.
Day One of our run had us running from Totaranui to Bark Bay, a total of 19kms. It was glorious running as we made our way along golden-sand beaches, popped over headlands and weaved in and out of the coastal beech forest.
Bark Bay hut was our home for the night and after 45minutes of very gentle coaxing, we finally had the fire going. Without the pages from the Spaniards Sudoku book I am sure there would have been no fire. We had it roaring by the time more people spilled into the hut – 22 in total from a myriad of countries. Sitting around a roaring fire, a glass of pinot in your hand and listening to travellers’ stories of adventures had and adventures to come is invigorating. It is easy to forget you are twice their age and they are probably thinking “I hope I am still doing cool adventures like these women when I’m old.
Straight off the water taxi at Onetahuti Beach
Snack time at Tonga Quarry
Day two and Michelle was beaten! She had put in a sterling effort the previous day and although her chest infection meant she could only walk the track, there was no way she was going to attempt the longer walk out of the park. Parked up with our bags she waited for the water taxi and embraced the serenity of the crystal clear waters.
As for us runners we made a point of heading off the main trail at every opportunity to check out little beaches and see the fresh water Cleopatra Pools. We clocked up about 28kms at a very enjoyable pace. There are sections of the track that you feel like you could be in Australia, but without the snakes and spiders. We are incredibly spoilt in New Zealand with an enviable variety of running trails throughout the country.
Macpac is proud to get behind Hiking New Zealand, providing them with the gear they need to get out and about, inspiring tourists and Kiwis alike to enjoy the outdoors.
