Xterra Trail Challenge

Feeling my way through a pitch black cave, I suddenly realized I should have focused more on the word "trail" instead of "run" when I signed up for the Xterra Trail Challenge on Saturday. I was so focused on the 7.3k distance that I failed to think about all the mud, countless rocks and caves that would make up a chunk of the route.
The race was held at Karanghake Gorge and was incredibly scenic, but truthfully, I was more focused on the course. Especially when it was time to walk across the suspended bridges that rocked violently when anyone walked across them.
The race was divided into 7.3k, 13 k, 19 k and a marathon (42.2 k) distances and featured racers of all shapes, sizes and ages. Some kid who looked no older than 13 won the 7.3 k race. (No my feelings aren't hurt!). Jen and I finished in the top half of our age bracket (20-39) and I won a free pair of running socks.
Because Jen is fully committed to the success of this blog, our chief photographer brought her camera with her on the race. Here are fewshots: (Remember she was running when she took a few of these).