Club Walk/Run Relay

For variety the club decided to mix the runners and walkers into relay teams. One runner and three walkers would do a 1.7km loop starting at the clubrooms head north to Isadore Road, right onto Hillhead Road, past the new subdivision and right into Westgate. We went along the road until it came to a track heading onto Middleton Road and back to the clubrooms. While the teams were being worked out we all did a warm up around the course.

There were nine teams and my team included Gail (an excellent walker who ran), Anne, Patsy and myself. After the first leg we were third but by the time it was my turn to do the last leg we were in the last three. As the last walkers decided to run so did I and I believe we got seventh.

On the way home I decided to stop at Logan Park and do a loop going along Butts Road which was 2.5kms long.

It was a pleasant day but boy was it cold, waiting around.

Benmore Peninsula Track Circuit Walk

After everyone had gone back to Dunedin I had to stay an extra night as I was working at Waitaki Valley School in the morning. I drove west and saw three dams - Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore. While at Benmore I decided to do the Benmore Peninsula Track which is a 3.6km circuit.

The starting point for the Benmore Peninsula Track is located at the second car park above the Benmore Dam near Otematata on the South Island of New Zealand.
The start of the walk is marked by gates and a DOC sign.

The walk starts out level. After a few minutes you’ll come to a junction, which marks the start of the Peninsula Circuit. The left track goes uphill, while the right track stays level for a while and then starts to climb.

You can go either right or left at the junction, but I suggest you do the walk in a clockwise direction, so go left at the junction. And here’s why…
The left track has only 3 major switchbacks before you reach a lookout where you can see Junction Island.

The left track is mostly a mixture of dirt and fine gravel, goes through a pine forest, and is steep in some places.

But the left track is less agonizing – in my opinion – than the right track, which consists of sometimes large rocks, rough gravel, and has quite a few high steps to climb up.
In addition, if you take the left track you’ll be rewarded with nice scenic views of Junction Island just after 20 – 25 minutes of uphill walking.

If you take the right track, you’ll have to deal with delayed gratification and views of the islands. The views of the right track are obscured by pine trees and poplars until you reach Junction Point.
But the positive thing about the right track is that you can see the road that goes over the Benmore Dam from between the pine trees.
The entire track goes through a mixed forest that has lots of pine trees, which smell really good on warm days – giving you the feeling of Christmas.

It can get a bit chilly, though, if you do this walk early in the morning in spring, autumn, or winter. So bring warm and windproof clothing.

At Junction Point, which can be considered the half-way point of the loop track, you can see as far as Mount Cook and the Southern Alps on clear days.

Kurow Hill



Over the weekend a group of us (24) spent a weekend at the Kurow Motor Camp in a lodge. Across the road is the entrance to the Kurow Hill. I decided I wanted to walk it twice in one go. The first time took 23 minutes to reach the summit and 15 minutes to get to the bottom. The second time was slower and I needed a few rest stops. My legs really ached on the second descent. The weather was wet for stages of the walk. At the summit (400 metres) the wind was strong but not cold.

Leading another Caversham walk

As our leader Kieran was away, I was asked to lead the fast group for Saturday's walk. I am not sure how many were in the group but we headed away with the slow group along Cortstorphine and Riselaw Roads. Once we reached Caversham Valley Road the slower group headed towards Concord as my group navigated across the motorway onto Lookout Point.

We walked along Mornington Road until we reached Barr Street. We also met one of the Harrier groups. It was downhill to Kaikorai Valley Road. We walked south until following the road to Concord. It was up Stevenson Road back to Corstorphine Road and back to the clubrooms.

At Concord I encouraged the faster walkers to go at their own pace back to where we started. When not the leader I tend to find someone to chat with and walk middle of the pack. When I lead I have to go to the front which can be a challenge. However we did the 8.5kms in 1:15 hrs whch was a good pace.

A Fast Paced Walk Over Flagstaff

Today the club did their annual walk over Flagstaff via the Pineapple Track. The slower walking group left at 12.40pm while the faster group of which I was part, left at 1pm. We had nine walkers at the starrt and two late starters joined us on the uphill part of the Pineapple Track. We set off at a quick pace taking only 20 minutes to reach the start of the Pineapple Track. There was no rest as we ascended the track. I was finding the uphill tough and was so pleased for the rest as we came to a clearing. The four fastest walkers took off from the remainder of the fast group.

We arrived at the Swampy Peak turnoff after an hour which was good going. Fifteen minutes later we reached the summit. From here it was all downhill. At the Bullring we caught up with the slower group and all left together for the last leg home. I caught up with Barbara an ex-parent from school and walked the remainder of the walk with her. I took 2hrs 20mins to get back to our starting point - the Wakari Union Church.

I had no aches or pains at the end but knew I had done a challenging walk. The club had drinks and hot chips to wind up a great day.