Funny Running Story

June 19, 2013 by Leave a comment

Great story awaited us this morning, this one is from William Deering.

My funny running story was when I ran in the Point to Pinnacle in Hobart Tasmania 2011, As it was a half marathon distance I thought I’d knock it off under 2 hours. Well the gun went off and I sprinted off the start line at the Wrest Point Casino in beautiful 22 degree sunshine. Within 1km it was clear my sub 2 hour was out the window with the constant uphill of the course, the run kept going up and up all the way to the summit. Though views from high up Mt Wellington were amazing the run was definitely making me sweat, at each drink station I would drink 1 cup of water and splash another over the back of my neck to cool down. At the 2km to go mark and final water station I decided to throw 2 cups of water over myself to cool down then disaster. True to Tasmania weather within 2 km’s of the finish I felt rain drops and a very sudden drop in temperature. Within 200 metres of the last water station I was amazed that the rain that was falling then turned into snow. I ran the last 2 km’s in minus 7 degrees and the water that I threw over myself had turned to ice and froze on my body. Very funny to the spectators in their thick warm jackets as I was finishing with blue lips and no feeling waist up.

Funny and disastrous – love it! How easy was that? Thanks for getting the ball rolling on the Hoka OneOne Running Story Competition in fine form, Bill!

If you’ve got a story worth sharing, check out the entry details below and get it typed out or videoed and sent into us and you could win some juicy next generation running gear.

The Hoka OneOne Running Story Competition. GET ON IT!!

The Hoka OneOne Running Story Competition. GET ON IT!!

Filed under 13.1, alpine running, funny, health and fitness, mountain running, Running, Running Story Competition Tagged with , , , , , , ,

WIN THE NEW STUFF in the Hoka OneOne Australia Running Story Competition

June 18, 2013 by Leave a comment

We’ve been brewing this one for a while. New running gear is always a bit exciting and who doesn’t like a laugh on the trail/endless road session/ morning jog/ disastrously navigated night run/ horrific off-the-bike bonk?

To celebrate the impending arrival of our 2013/2014 range (it’s still about 10 weeks away, but we’re pretty excitable), we have created a fun and potentially entertaining way for one lucky Hoka OneOne follower or over-enthusiastic runner ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND to win the first pair of new season Tarmac AND Evo off the boat in September.

That’s right – you can win your very own complete set of Stinson twins just by sharing your FUNNIEST or MOST DISASTROUS running story.
If your story has at least THREE OF THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS – Running, Funny, Running, Disaster – then you could be the proud owner of a hot new combination of all-terrain happy-footed Hoka fun.

The more the merrier, so tell your mates – especially the one with that yarn about the time when, y’know…

The Hoka OneOne Running Story Competition. GET ON IT!!

The Hoka OneOne Running Story Competition. GET ON IT!!

Filed under 13.1, 4 Deserts, adventure racing, alpine running, athletics, cross country, crossfit, half marathon, health and fitness, marathon, mountain running, NEW, Prizes, road running, Running, running efficiency, running injury, running shoe giveaway, Running shoe review, Stinson Evo, Stinson Evo Tarmac, trail running, travel writing Tagged with , , , , ,

When your run is visible from outer space…..

June 16, 2013 by Leave a comment

You know you've gone hard when your run is visible from outer space - great work by Jane Trumper and Andy Bowen

You know you’ve gone hard when your run is visible from outer space – great work by Jane Trumper and Andy Bowen

Congratulations Andy Bowen and Jane Trumper on successfully completing your 700km run of the Gibb River Rd, aka Outback Odyssey, to raise money for Bear Cottage and to create a new Australian record run which might well remain unchallenged forever. Sounds like a tough dusty slog!

The route was intended to come in at around 647km, with offroad detours to visit gorges and the occasional homestead bringing the total to 688km, so the pair decided to run a final 12km at the end just to finish on a nice, even 700km!

Their crew, Garry and Janet Tapper from York, near Perth, and Suse Griffen, an American running friend from Tokyo (where else?!) were reportedly amazing. Garry earned himself the nickname “the postman”, because, says Jane, “he always delivered”.

Having set out on the afternoon of Wednesday June 5th, the crew gunned it over the last 4 days to finish the morning of Saturday June 15 so that they could call it an even 10 days. Their shortest day was 59.4km because, according to Jane speaking by phone from their first proper lodgings in nearly 2 weeks, all other campsite options were full of cowpats or locals wanting to borrow carparts. Their longest day was 78km and of course, 700km over 10 days averages the trip out to a solid 70km/day with temperatures averaging in the mid-30s for the duration.

Apparently work crews along the road caught on to what they were doing and sure enough by the end of the run, the traffic controllers were holding up queues of cars until Jane & Andy had run through the roadworks they were constructing. They report seeing landlocked crocodiles, giant Taipans, stunning waterfalls, and more red dust than you could poke a shower at.

To donate to Bear Cottage, visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/jane_trumper_9

For Jane’s blog see http://ultrasmall.wordpress.com/

For Andy Bowen, see http://ultramarathonrunning.com.au/

Jane is talking excitedly about Run For Tomorrow which starts in Ottawa next April, shortly after she revisits Boston Marathon for a proper finish in 2014. Andy, from the sound of things, is keen just to get the dust out of his computer, which is now apparently red, even though it was kept unopened in a bag for the duration of the adventure.

We’re really proud of these guys for what is a remarkable achievement of endurance and self-directed running. And we’re looking forward to more pictures and stories from their adventure soon, but here’s one of our favourites for now.

It's always handy to bring a giant with you.

It’s always handy to bring a giant with you.

Filed under Andy Bowen, Desert runners, Running, marathon, hardcore, Course Record, Jane Trumper, inspirational, adventure racing Tagged with , , , ,

Want to see how to run?

June 13, 2013 by Leave a comment

The Hoka OneOne Kep Ultra went off with a bang in Perth last weekend, with the team’s Scotty Hawker flying home 45minutes under course record. It’s one thing to think about the challenge of running faster than 5-minute kays for 100km, but another thing to see it.

Check out Scotty at the end of this clip as he knocks out close to 15km/h. Congratulations to women’s 100km winner Karen Hagan and the dynamic duo of Vlad Ixel and Marlene Lootz who knocked over the 75km.

Not sure what tunes you guys are running to in Perth but nicely put together vid (& event) from Rob Donkersloot. I wonder if this clip will get some more East Coasters thinking about a flight to Perth to see how fast they can do this relatively new course…

Filed under health and fitness, inspirational, Running, Scott Hawker, trail running Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

How to run 100km on trail in 8:17: Hoka OneOne Kep Ultra Race Report

June 11, 2013 by 1 Comment

Scott Hawker is Team Hoka OneOne Australia’s West Coast Flyer. When he won the Hoka OneOne Kep Ultra 75km last year, he was less than excited about his prize – a pair of running shoes from Hoka OneOne. Surely these oversize runners are for injured runners, runners wanting to prolong their racing years, maybe even runners with some kind of niggle needing a bit of protection, but surely they’re not for fast young dudes wanting to go out and smash podiums?

A very Hoka OneOne start to the Hoke OneOne Kep 75/100km Ultra last weekend. pic by Steve Fraser

With a little bit of persuasion, Scotty warmed to the idea of giving them a go for his long runs, or maybe when his legs felt tired. These chunky shoes certainly wouldn’t be his choice for running fast…

After his first few runs in the Bondi, though, it was a changed man on the phone from Perth – excited and bemused. Like so many other runners trying Hoka OneOne, the way they felt to Scott had really exceeded his expectations. Scott also surprised us later in the year when he flew to Queensland and ran the Glasshouse 100km in a scorching new course record of 9:04. In both Scott Hawker and Ben Duffus we see Australia’s new generation of trail ultrarunning. Trail is no longer a poor second choice for people who don’t run so quick on road, and it’s no longer the exclusive domain of older runners who’ve decided that just because they can’t run fast, they’ll compensate by running far.

They’re part of the Kilian generation – trail-inspired, loving natural environments, driven by the challenge that every tough new distance represents, and fast. It’s exciting to see young runners redefining what’s possible over epic distances with course records now routinely falling at almost every Australian trail event. Scott taking close to an hour out of the old Kep 100km record to fly home in 8:17 in his Bondi Speeds is no exception. He’s certainly a runner to follow and with the support of his wife Liz and his continued committed enjoyment of his training and West Australian trail playground, who knows how far this Team Hoka Australia flyer will go – or how fast.

Scott Hawker killing it on the way into Checkpoint 2. pic by Steve Fraser

Thank you and congratulations to Rob Donkersloot and his crew on yet another great event. And as always, Scott has posted a very tidy write-up of his day out at his blog Running Adventures and Finding Elevation so make sure to check it out.

As I knew they would, the final hills of the last 20km started to hurt. A couple of times in the last 20km I stopped and walked very briefly as I started questioning my pacing from early on. These stops were only brief and I got moving well again pretty quickly. During this final section I had one of those unsure moments where one has to decide whether to overtake a fellow runner on the trails or not pending on whether you think you can hold this pace. The fellow runner was a young lady running along with her dog so surely I could make the move right…?

Read the rest of Scott’s Kep 100 race report here.

Saving the best for last – a spectacularly special finish line moment between Scott and Liz, captured by Ron McGlinn.

Filed under Ben Duffus, Course Record, health and fitness, Running, trail running, Ultra running, Ultrarunning Tagged with , , , , , ,

Broken but unbeaten – check out this Hoka hero, Stuntman Chas!

June 7, 2013 by Leave a comment

It’s unlikely that any other running shoe dealer receives this kind of feedback. This particular letter stood out from even the wide range of fantastic correspondence we receive every couple of weeks from people thanking Hoka for making their run fun, fast, or even possible. Thanks so much Chas for letting us share this letter. We love it  : )
To whom it may concern,
I was first told about your shoes by a friend Kim Ballard ( Ballards Offroad ). Kim is an experienced athlete and I am so very grateful for her excellent advice recommending Hoka One One shoes to me.
I have been an active motorcycle club racer for most of my life , raced Sprint Cars and kept above average fitness with a healthy lifestyle.
I am currently employed by Monza Imports Australia. Monza  Imports are one of Aust largest Action Sports Importers and distributors.
Another way to fly...

Another way to fly…

It is fair to say I have lived an active life. Unfortunately I have broken 20 bones during my racing years. I have had 2 knee reconstructions, and at the age of 38 fractured my  left femur , 22cm through the knee cap up my bone  and another 12cm to the side also from the knee. This was 5 years ago. I have not been able to, or been comfortable with running since. I  could only dream of running again. I can recall running 7 klms 3 to 4 times a week and totally loving it when I was 37 before my crash.

I just started surfing again after a good 20 year break. I am in love with surfing and enjoy competing at long board events. But still faced with my weak leg and not being able to run. Last Sept I had another surgery on my left knee and since have been able to use my MTB and road cycle to aid in training.
Cowabunga duuude!

Cowabunga duuude!

I am currently obtaining my Standup Paddle Board Instructors certification needed to start my own, Standup Paddle Board School on the  Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers, in Windsor & Penrith.

 To be a  certified Surfing Aust SUP instructor you MUST  pass annually a surf lifeguard course. I was totally worried on how  I would  be able to run,  well enough to pass this course and meet the standard required.
Thanks to Hoka One One, I am able to run again and complete the  training needed, to enable me to achieve another goal in life!
Thank you guys for your amazing product.  I am so impressed with the shoes ( I am wearing them every day!). I have my life back! “ time to fly”!
The Guys at Panther Cycles in Penrith are a great store and are very  worthy of your brand!
Kind regards,
Chas Groom

Sales Representative – Monza Imports Aust Pty Ltd

You're a driven man, Chas. Nice to meet you!

You’re a driven man, Chas. Nice to meet you!

Filed under 13.1, 33 Marathons, adventure racing, cross country, health and fitness, injury prevention, inspirational, Running, running efficiency, running injury Tagged with , , , , , ,

TNF100 Race Report - Ben Duffus

May 28, 2013 by Leave a comment

Reblogged from Kokoda Spirit Racing:

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To understand what the TNF100 means to me, first flashback one year to TNF100 2012. I started the race severely under-prepared and with no race plan what–so–ever. After starting out at what felt like a “too easy” pace (it probably wasn't, given my lack of preparation!) for the first 5km I decided to just “pick up the pace a little bit” and had caught Jez Bragg before the first checkpoint (and as an over confident 19 year old, I decided it would be appropriate to try to keep up with him!).

Read more… 2,426 more words

Ben Duffus is the latest addition to Team Hoka OneOne Australia. We already liked his style. Then he ran The North Face 100km in 10:18 and won the junior category on the day, taking 7th outright. Exciting times!

Filed under Uncategorized

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