Trail Running: Age means nothing to off road champions

Nick Hirschfeld and Jim Kettlewell. Photo / Supplied

Kiwis Nick Hirschfeld and Jim Kettlewell, with a 31-year age difference between them, travelled to the World Xterra Trail Running Championship in Hawaii recently with no expectations.

They returned home as world champions in their age groups (35-39 and "Legends" divisions respectively).

Hirschfield finished 14th overall and Jim placed 53rd out of the 687 finishers and won his age group by almost 13 minutes.

Auckland's Hirschfeld had previously competed in the Coast to Coast in 2005, but this was his first time running an overseas world championship.

It was Northlander Kettlewell's first world champs, with his previous best performance winning the Australian Marathon title as a veteran.

The Xterra series originated in the United States, where there are more than 50 races annually.

Nick, 35, and Jim, 66, reveal how they became the best in the world, offer some tips for weekend warriors looking to take up off-road running, and talk about what they plan to do next after reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

What does it mean to you to be an age-grade world champion?

NH: Being a world champion is a boyhood dream come true. I had some injury problems to overcome the last few months and Leah, my wife, was also injured, so we'd considered cancelling the trip altogether. The cancellation fees were half of the airfares so I was cursing myself for booking the flights too early and we decided to go ahead with the trip. I adapted my training to maintain fitness and improve strength while I couldn't run and cross-trained harder than ever, finally getting back into running in November. I was elated and overcome with emotion when the results went up on display after the race, as winning my age group made all the hard work worthwhile.

JK: This has to be the highlight of my running career. I was motivated to compete by two Whangarei club mates, Erin Lovell, who won the junior title in Hawaii last year, and Ady Ngawati, who ran 4th senior woman two years ago. I realised that I could be competitive in my age group when I compared my current times to theirs. Winning the "Legends" division in the Auckland series and at the New Zealand champs at Waihi showed that I was running well for my age. Between Waihi and Hawaii, I put in some of the best training of my life and was determined to go to Hawaii in top form and not just make up the numbers. The gains I made showed up on the day, as I was about 10 minutes better than my Waihi effort.

What was it like competing in that elite company?

NH: Olympians and World Mountain Running Champions headed the men's and women's fields and it was great to line up alongside them and chat with them afterwards. The event is in its fourth year and is growing in numbers and depth and quality of the field each year. The race was tough - fast, hilly, hot and humid. While the terrain was not as rough as in most trail races in New Zealand, the setting at Kualoa Ranch was spectacular.

JK: I was only running against myself, as the top runners were well out of sight ahead. I had no idea if there were other runners in my age group nearby, so had to run to my maximum and hope this would be enough on the day. Fortunately it was, as I had more than 12 minutes on the next runner in my age group.

Nick, how impressed were you by Jim's run?

Jim is a legend. He won his age group and beat the winners of the 55 and 60 age groups as well. He also did 91 minutes for the Kerikeri Half, which is motoring. I hope I'm still going strong when I'm his age, but I doubt it.

Jim, what do you say to people who say age is a barrier to competing at a high level?

Age is just a number - in my case, quite a big number! I really think that "use it or lose it" applies as you get older. I continue to be inspired by a running mate here in Whangarei [Ian Douglas] who did the Auckland and Waihi Xterra races with me. He is 74 years old and still running.

What goals do you have for the 2012 season?

NH: The early-season goals are to win the Coastal Challenge and Routeburn Classic - my two all-time favourite races, which I am yet to win so I have a sense of unfinished business when I think of them. I also want to complete my first off-road marathon and win the Xterra Trail Challenge [national champs]. I'd like to go back to Hawaii to defend my title. My wife Leah was not able to run due to an injury - so we will have to go back to the race when she is fit.

JK: I haven't set any goals as yet for 2012 as I am still coming down from the high of Hawaii, but the Tussock Traverse appeals and I have some unfinished business with the Wild Turkey half marathon.

What advice do you offer to people looking to get into off-road running?

NH: Enter an off-road race and try out a shorter distance if you have the option. If it's something you need to train for ... I find committing yourself by entering the race provides the motivation to get out and train for it.

JK: The varied terrain will be easier on your body when compared to the repetition of the roads, but you will need to gain stamina, as off-road is draining. My advice is to start with a shorter distance and do not try to win your first event. Run plenty of hills in training. Join a harrier club and find people to run with for motivation. A good pair of trail-running shoes makes sense, too, as road shoes are no use at all.

World champs

Xterra Trail Run World Champs: Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii

Length: 21.9km

Starting elevation: 15m

Lowest point: 8m

Highest point: 225m

Total climbing (approx): 883m

Trails: Open dirt road, dual-track dirt road, 3m trail, single track

Nick Hirschfeld
Running record in 2011

1st Xterra Trail Running World Champs (35-39 age group)

1st Xterra Auckland Trail Run Super-Long Series (two race wins)

1st Auckland Tough Guy Challenge

1st Coromandel Classic (team)

1st NZ Mountain Running Champs (masters M35)

1st Auckland Cross Country Grand Prix Series (M35)

1st Auckland Cross Country Champs (M35)

2nd Triple Crown (Kauri, Goat, Toi's)

2nd Nugget Off-Road Half

2nd Routeburn Classic

3rd Xterra Trail Challenge (trail run national champs)

3rd Coastal Challenge Full Monty (NZ coasteering champs)

Jim Kettlewell

Running record in 2011

1st Auckland Xterra series: Legends division (over 60), 28th overall.

1st Waihi Xterra NZ champs: Legends division in 2: 01:47

1st Kerikeri Half Marathon (65-69 age division) in 1.31:34

1st Xterra Trail Running World Champs (Legends division)

Upcoming
Off-road running events in 2012

January: Tussock Traverse

February: Riverhead Trailfest and Coastal Challenge Full Monty (NZ coasteering champs)

March: Colville Connection 42km