When Marlborough Weekly’s Alex Roberton decided to run the Molesworth, he had a long battle ahead of him. He give readers an insight into what it takes to complete two marathons back to back.
Gravel upon gravel upon gravel, searing fiery pain from shoulders all the way to feet, nothing but whistling wind and a support car for company. Breathtaking elevation and views and, quite possibly, the hardest day of my life.
When I first called about taking part, I was expecting positivity but was instead met with a gentle voice asking if I was sure I was up for it? “I think this is the hardest solo Ultra race in the South Island” I was told. “It’s unrelenting, physically and mentally, and if there’s a headwind, you’re in for a world of hurt.” There was, and yes, it did.
Conditions were cloudy at Molesworth Cob Cottage but there was enough light to start so we began, not with a bang but a whisper.
I ticked off the kilometres waiting for my support car to catch up. I had time to tussle with the doubt that always creeps in early on. What am I doing? This is two marathons back-to-back! Soon enough I found the rhythm, steady kilometres ticked off one after another as we ascended Wards Pass, and then descended to Isolated Pass.
Isolated Pass was probably the most difficult, a 10km expanse of nothingness. No warm greeting but instead a bitter headwind and a view of the impending climb. I asked for gloves as my hands were starting to bite. Not where I thought they were … merino socks on the hands would suffice instead.
I kept trucking along through 25km to organise my first sock and shoe change. Blisters are no joke over this distance so I was keen to pull every lever I could to mitigate the risk. Onto Acheron we pressed, and I broke through the first marathon in good time, great, only another one to go now!
The changing conditions saw a touch of rain, sleet, and snow at different points. It was never quite enough to warrant a jacket, but I came close.
Momentum is crucial here, once you lose it it’s game over so better to press on and embrace the hurt. Through 60km we crossed the Acheron, a slight confusion over directions sapped some energy but now it felt like the home stretch with only a half marathon left to run.
As we approached Jack’s pass team runners started to catch me, I envied their fresh legs and graceful pace while I plodded along 70km deep. Over the top you can see Hanmer in the distance for the finish so I tried to pick the feet up for the final push, once on the tarmac in the township it was a hefty sprint to the line to be welcomed home by a number of team finishers and organisers.
A massive thank you goes to all the organisers but above all my partner Holly Turner who sat behind me in a car for 10.5 hours, helping keep me safe, fed, and hydrated every step of the way, I couldn’t have done it without her and the support is massively appreciated.
Key stats
Average heart rate: 150bpm
Calories burned: 6,867
Moving time: 10hr 6mins
Running time: 9hrs 32mins
Estimated steps: 91,350
