Striding out in Maitai Valley

The Maitai Valley Rd is where Nelson’s ‘‘athletic action’’ is based for the next month and it all starts tomorrow evening with the first run in the Nelson Striders Six O’Clock Summer Series.

Race one covers 3km from the Waahi Takaro Golf Course back to Branford Park, kicking off a series that began 26 years ago.

Both runners and walkers are welcome with no entry fee, just turn up on the night ready to start from the golf course at 6pm.

Many will be back next Sunday, January 13, for the NBS Nelson Striders half marathon and 10km.

At stake in the half is the Trevor Ruffell Tusk Trophy (a.k.a, The Boar’s Jaw) awarded to whoever runs or walks closest to their estimated race time, without the aid of a watch.

Over the event’s history every winner has been within 10 seconds of their guess. Stu Cottam ran exactly to his prediction in 1998 and he almost backed that up in 2011, when he was a mere 10 seconds adrift of his estimate.

The course will be the same as last year. Runners and walkers start at Branford Park up to a turnaround before Smiths Ford, reversing back to the golf course and then heading back up to the turnaround.

From there it’s homeward bound, all having plenty of company along the way, especially when they meet up with those in the 10km.

Most use the series as valuable speed and pacework as they head towards Buller in early February, then going on to complete the Kaiteriteri Gold half marathon or 10km on March 16.

Those thinking of venturing off road in April and circuiting Lake Rotoiti in the Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake will need to consider entering soon, as more than 200 are already signed on. The course is an ideal introduction to hitting the trails in Nelson Lakes’ pristine trailrunning territory.

All details on nelsonevents.co.nz