Orlando´s Running in New Zealand

It's summer here in Wellington in January, so a runner can become quite hot. On the other hand, the Cook Straight between New Zealand's North and South Islands can produce some vicious wind. Therefore one never knows what really to expect. Nevertheless this is a very nice course to run. It is reasonably flat, exept for a short rise after about 8 kilometres, and very scenic. More than 75% of the course lead along the coast line.

• The images below are courtesy of my friend Martin Lange of Wellington, to whom I am grateful for his support on this run. Knowing that he would pop up from behind a bush every now and then forced me to maintain a positive attitude and to keep smiling all the way!

• The last image (FINISH) is by my running friend © John Heap, Wellington.

500 metres after the start I'm still enjoying to keep up the leading group, here in joint 7th position. Soon thereafter I decided to reduce my pace. But it was good fun to be up there in front for a little while.

After 5 km I'm still hanging on to a group going slightly faster than what I had planned. I waited until Martin had taken this shot and then let them go, saving my reserves for the Pass of Branda, the only gentle rise on the course after 8 km and 29 km respectively.
 

This is around km 17 back on the way south (with the wind) and short before completing the first lap. In the background is Wellington's harbour, Port Nicholson.

The race number (1) is genuine. And so is the smile!
 

The second time around the airport and I feel like flying ...

During the second lap the northerly wind increased and I lost 8 minutes on the first lap, thus destroying my hopes for a personal best finishing time. I finally picked up speed on the last 5 km with the wind behind and ran the last kilometre in 3:29 minutes. Too late!