Westie actor's trail challenge a break from playing Ted

David de Lautour liked the solitude. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi actor David de Lautour believes most New Zealanders secretly identify with the Wests, the likeable criminal family from hit television show Outrageous Fortune.

De Lautour is in New Zealand filming the show's prequel, where he plays a young Ted West in his 1970s heyday of crime and retribution.

"I think the Wests are popular because they live the way we would all secretly like to," he says.

"Piss a West off and they punch you in the face and then just get on with their day, no bullshit. I don't think it's just a Westie thing - I think it's a New Zealand thing. We can all identify with Sheryl and the family."

De Lautour is of Westie origin, the youngest of four siblings who grew up in Titirangi. His passion for rugby was exposed in his brilliant portrayal of Stephen Donald in telemovie The Kick: less well-known is that de Lautour is a keen runner.

In a quirky twist, Westside meets Westcoast next weekend when the 32-year-old will take on an off-road half-marathon at Bethells Beach.

De Lautour has an unorthodox approach to running.

"I just want to see how far my body can go, so I keep upping the distance. The longest I've run so far is 60km."

However, a career as an actor doesn't always lend itself to training for an endurance event.

"I'm pretty lean, so have to work hard to bulk up for acting roles. To play Stephen Donald, I ate every two hours and had four protein shakes a day. Running long distance undoes all that work, so I have to pick the time to train without compromising the work I'm involved in.

"Living in Los Angeles and my work as an actor means I spend a lot of time surrounded by people. I like the solitude running gives me. I hate road-running, though - I'll drive for 20 minutes to get to a trail rather than run around the block."

The Westcoaster course has plenty of variety for de Lautour with beautiful native bush, pristine streams and stunning coastal trail. Race director Kezia Trask is excited about having de Lautour on the course but has some advice for fellow participants.

"By all means go and say hi to him ... but I wouldn't steal his backpack, if you know what I mean."

The Westcoaster

• What: Off-road run, various distance options

• When: Saturday December 12

• Where: Bethells Beach, Auckland

For more information: www.thewestcoaster.co.nz