Trail running: Off-road series everyone wants to run

Xterra's off-road tracks may be harder than road-running, but organisers say they're also more interesting ... and the injury rate is lower. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's largest and oldest off-road running series begins next Sunday at Riverhead Forest and it's not only elite athletes lining up to go super long who can't wait to hit the trails.

The Xterra Auckland trail running series is in its eighth year and has grown significantly.

The number of people taking part has increased from about 50 people in each event in 2004 to an average of 650 this year.

In the past, the events appealed to more "serious" athletes, but they now attract an increasing number of beginner runners and walkers.

"Busy people are looking for engaging event 'experiences', and these sort of events provide people with the opportunity to challenge themselves, and achieve with similar like-minded people," said Aaron Carter of Total Sport.

The gender division has also changed. Nowadays the split is close to 50/50 male and female, whereas in 2004, 70 per cent of Xterra athletes were male.

The organisers expect 3500 to 4500 participants in this year's six-event Xterra series, which is an easy way for athletes to build and sustain their fitness through winter.

"Because there are four event distances to choose from at each event, there is a distance for everyone to tackle," said Carter.

"The past few years have seen a massive increase in female participants, particularly over the short and mid-course distances."

Both these distances can be walked.

Off-road running is growing in popularity, and Carter sees several reasons for this.

"The locations of these events are scenic, challenging and unique environments," he said.

"Running or walking off-road decreases the level of injuries to people."

This was true particularly in the participant age group, 30-49 years.

"Trail running and walking are more interesting," said Carter.

"So while it can be harder than running on the road - given the terrain challenges of mud, hills, uneven and varied surfaces - it is more invigorating and captures attention more than pounding the pavement."

Defending men's champion James Kuegler, who is fresh after competing in the Routeburn Classic a few weeks ago, makes the Xterra series a priority every year.

"There is a great camaraderie at the Xterra events," he said. "It is always great to catch up with friends, and meet new ones.

"I haven't felt any pressure [as defending champion], or considered there was any, but great, I eat that pressure for breakfast.

"I will be racing as hard as ever, but I am not going to get caught up on the results. I put the major focus on enjoyment, and when I am enjoying my training the results take care of themselves."

Kuegler remembers beginning the series in 2007 as a 19-year-old looking up to the likes of Nick Hirschfeld and Michael Adams and dreaming of one day winning.

"Off-road events are unique in that every event offers participants a different experience," he said.

Xterra Auckland

May until October

Event 1 - May 22, Riverhead Forest

Event options

* Short course, 5-8km (walk or run)

* Mid-course, 10-14km (walk or run)

* Long course, 16-20km (run only)

* Super-long course, 20km+ (run only)

Superlong leaderboard

Male

* James Kuegler

* Ed Hyde

* Andrew Turnbull

Female

* Emma McCosh

* Lesley Turner-Hall

* Anna Longdill

Three steps to prepare for Xterra

James Kuegler (23) is in his penultimate year at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, is also an athlete and a coach.

He offers advice in coaching seminars and workshops for participant off-road runners preparing for any event:

1 Learn to run efficiently and naturally. For many this is a gradual process of stripping back the layers of social conditioning and looking at running from basic principles. In this way, your deep abdominal muscles control your structure, your momentum comes from above in the form of gravity, your cadence increases, your stride length shortens, and the 26 bones that make up your foot kiss the ground and adapt to a constantly changing environment. Chris McDougall said in Born to Run "Learn to run efficiently, because if efficiency is all you've got, then that ain't so bad".

2 Be patient. Fitness and speed will come with consistent training and time.

3 Finally and most importantly enjoy yourself. Watch young children running around. They know something most of us have long forgotten. Xterra takes you to some great places that most people never get to enjoy - you can't help but enjoy yourself.

Find out more
trailrun.co.nz