In my small running career, I’ve raced only three ultras outside the South Island. All three being in Taupo at the Taupo Ultra. In 2016, I ran my first one of these events; a 50km as a 16-year-old. 2017 saw me step up to the 100km distance and after a few years away, 2020 was the year to make the trip back to Taupo. The race is set on a beautiful course which winds its way around the shores of the lake.
After a pretty good run at the Old Ghost in February, I was pretty positive that Taupo would go just as well. Despite the setbacks that 2020 has given us, I was pretty happy with my training leading up to the 100km. Lockdown saw us running 220-metre loops around our garden for five hours at a time, so it was nice when we were allowed back into the hills. My body felt strong and despite not having the best endurance or mileage on the legs, I was positive that I was in as good a shape as pre-OGU, if not better.
Our adventure started in Wellington early on Friday morning. Like dad explains in his write up, we were doing this with a couple of his old school mates; Ed and Paul. We were also joined by Paul’s partner Jo, who had very kindly agreed to accompany us up to the race and crew us. The road trip north was a mixture of nerves and laughter, but it was nice to be able to stretch the legs every few hours and the arrival in Taupo was welcomed with open arms.
Following the tradition of a burger at Pauly’s Burgers and briefing, we packed our bags, made some last-minute arrangements and headed off to bed. Alarms were set for 3 am and we all knew that we would have a big day ahead. Myself, dad and Ed would be running the 100km, Paul & Jo would crew/support us all and Ed would be paced by Paul in the later stages.
Race morning is always tense. Nerves are at an all-time high and everyone just wants to start running. Luckily for us, at 5.37 am (yes, we had to wait for the stragglers to arrive) Aaron Carter released us onto the trails and the race begun. It felt somewhat special and a bit of a privilege to be racing again. After eight months of cancelled races and social distancing, life felt normal.
The first few hours of running were along winding trails that dipped down to the lake and followed along the edge about 50 metres up from the water. Sunrise was beautiful and apart from dad having a fall at 15km’s, we were running very smoothly. We weren’t entirely sure how much of the race we would do together, but the consensus was around 50-60km’s. Despite both of us being pretty smart runners and knowing a lot about the joys of pacing ultras, we managed to run the first 20km in about 1:55 hours. Dad turned to me and we realised that we were overcooking it a bit; we’d gone out a bit hard. Options were to slow down and eventually cramp or to keep moving at this pace and hold on for as long as possible. In true Walmsley fashion, we chose the latter and kept moving.
The 33km aid station is the first major checkpoint on the course. After heading through 30km well on pace, we hit the aid station in 2:56 hours. 25 minutes faster than our predicted pace. Jo and Paul informed us we were in the top 10, bottles were filled, I grabbed some food and we headed off. Both of us felt strong and we knew that despite the tough farmland section ahead, we were running well and setting up for a good day.
The next 11km went extremely fast and before we knew it, we were clicking 5-minute pace and headed up the gravel road to the 44km aid station. Again, we saw our awesome crew who gave us some info and wished us well. Next up, the dreaded 7-kilometre section of tarmac – good times. We both have trained a fair bit on the road, so we were looking forward to stretching the legs for the next 35 minutes. It was a chance to get some food in, talk strategies and map out what the next part of the race would look like. Despite our bodies starting to feel tired and our legs getting tinges of cramp, it was nice to not have to think about foot placement to avoid tripping on roots and rocks.
In training, dad has run around 4:15 for a 50km and I’ve only ever run 4:57 a few years back. It was a bit of a surprise to come through halfway in 4:38 – we were seriously in untouched territory. By this stage, my legs were pretty tired so we fueled up and tried to keep moving. Kerry and Ali (SquadRun) saw us, gave us the lowdown of what was happening up ahead and we moved on.
Unfortunately, we had hit 50kms about five minutes after the 50km race started, so the next hour was spent passing people as we followed the trail back down towards the lakeshore. Everyone was very supportive and moved to the side of the trail, but by 60km we both started to hit a low spot. I fueled up at the next aid station and we pushed up the climb over the hill into Kinloch. After 65km of drinking electrolyte and eating Clif bars, your body wants a break and I was looking forward to eating some sandwiches at the next major checkpoint
In Kinloch, runners do a 5km loop around the village before entering the 76km aid station. Despite just under 7 hours on the legs, we both were running well and ready for the next section of the trail. It’s a nice out and back loop and it gave us a chance to see all the other runners and use the support from the locals to push us through the next few kilometres. In the Kinloch aid station, we drank coke, grabbed some food and slowly moved out for the final section of the race.
Just out of Kinloch, someone behind us said our last name and we turned to see a friend of ours, Scotty J Stevenson. Scotty’s story is one that inspires many. From not being able to run a kilometre a few years ago to finishing ultras in 2020 is quite an achievement and something that anyone who is struggling should look to for inspiration. Most know Scotty through his rugby and cricket commentary, but we just know him as a buddy who we’ve raced with previously at OGU. It was perfect timing. Along with a local Taupo runner and Scotty, we worked together to hike the last climb and run the final loop around the headland.
By 85km’s my body was pretty cooked. There are only so many hours you can run sub-six-minute kilometres for and I’d reached my limit. The effects of tiredness were coming on fast, I was slowing down and cramping. The others continued their races and we shuffled along by ourselves. The descent down to the finish is pretty easy for running, but after 95kms it becomes more of walk/run/shuffle thing, known to many as the ‘ultra shuffle’. As we neared Whakaipo Bay, my 10-hour goal time slowly slipped away. The single track slowly turned into a larger path and we soon crossed the stile and hit the gravel road up to the finish. It’d been a big day.
Just after 3:30 pm, we crossed the finish line. Another father/son finish. The commentator naively asked us if running together and finishing races as a duo was a common theme and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
10:05:42 for 100kms, 8th equal out of a field of nearly 200 and a podium in the open category. It’s a result that I’m proud of and despite not quite getting that sub 10, it was a day well spent and some memories to tell in the years to come.
Someone asked me the other day, how I felt about missing the mark by five odd minutes. At first when I think about it, yeah it sucks, it was a mental game and I didn’t quite have it this year. Could I have run that small section of the trail, less time in the aid station, better nutrition, smarter pacing? Mind games. There are a lot of variables to running ultras and I know that missing that mark by five minutes in the scheme of things is no big deal. At the end of the day, it will make me a better runner and I’m proud of that.
The rest of the afternoon and evening and morning was spent supporting Ed finish the 100km. Despite the tiredness and sleep deprivation it was nice to hang out with the TotalSport team and welcome Ed into Whakaipo Bay. He achieved something that many people would never dream of and he should be proud of it.
I guess that’s 2020’s Taupo story. Good times and a pretty successful day out. Once again there is a long list of people who support and get me ready for these races and I appreciate all of you. To family, friends, running buddies, volunteers and supporters – thank you. Towards the end of these races, your body starts to mess with your emotions and it was special to think about all of the support I’ve received over the years. There have been a few naysayers, and rightly so – why should a young kid be doing these races? I’m not sure, to be honest. But the fact that I enjoy it is probably enough to explain why I continue to do these things. Do what makes you happy and follow your dreams eh?
Finally, dad. He’s been by my side since that eventful half marathon six years ago and the rest is history. We’ve trained together for thousands of runs, seen each others highs and lows and pretty much know each other’s athletic abilities in and out. As you tell me each run, you are slowly finding the speedier runs harder with age. Luckily for you, you’ve chosen a sport which tends to see competitors get better with age! But in all seriousness, I appreciate every run together and thank you for everything.
Thanks for all your support – it means a lot. Happy running ✌️
Yonni Kepes 