Men's Journal

Day 1, Miles 0–2: “Just pin it, mate!” That was the best pre-race advice I received, and it came from Tom Butler, our host at the Grasmere Lodge (grasmere.co.nz). Don’t pace yourself off the start, he said. “Go hard, so you’re in one of the faster packs of cyclists.”

Day 1, Miles 35–57: With 3,200 feet of elevation gain and up to 30 stream crossings, the mountain run is demanding, but don’t lose sight of the rewards, too, such as the splendid waterfall soon after the eighth crossing of the Deception River.

Day 1, Mile 57: At Klondyke Corner, two-day competitors overnight in tents and camper vans. It’s a great time: lamb sausages on the barbie, a beach-party atmosphere. Pack bug spray with DEET; the sand fleas are fierce.

Day 2, Miles 58–99: One-third of the kayaking is Class II whitewater. By February the river is usually low, so you have to avoid running aground in shallow braids. Stay river-right at Rock Gardens Rapids Two, where some competitors take an unintended swim.

Day 2, Mile 151: On Sumner Beach, race maestro Robin Judkins (pictured), per custom, hands each finisher a can of Speight’s (rhymes with “eights”), the event’s primary sponsor and an easy-drinking beer. (Think: the Coors of New Zealand.)

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This article originally appeared in the May 2010 issue of Men’s Journal.