7 in 7 Challenge ramps up for 2010
10 Aug 2010
Kiwi marathon adventurer Malcolm Law - who last year became the first person in the world to run the equivalent of seven marathons in seven consecutive days - is mounting an even grittier challenge for 2010.
On 28 November, Law will set off on his second 7in7 Challenge, again covering some of New Zealand’s Great Walks, but this time concentrating on the Southern Lakes District through rougher, tougher terrain, in an even greater test of spirit and endurance.
The 2010 challenge will also involve more participants and have a bigger final goal - Law hopes to raise at least NZ$150,000 for the NZ Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).
Off-road marathons
Last year, in the inaugural 7in7 challenge, Law made history by becoming the first person in the world to run 360km in 66 hours - the equivalent of nine off-road marathons and climbing Mt Cook - New Zealand’s highest mountain - twice.
Law’s challenge, staged to honour his brother Alan who died as a teenager from leukaemia, raised just over NZ$85,000 for the LBF.
Inspired by its success, Law has lined up seven more iconic New Zealand trails, and is urging others to take part in what promises to be an even greater challenge.
Last year just 17 other runners joined him on various stages of the run.
Although almost identical in distance, the 2010 7in7 will use less well-known tracks involving more difficult back-country terrain.
"Why bother if it’s not harder than last time?" says Law.
2010 7in7 Challenge route
The 2010 challenge starts on the shores of Lake Hawea - near Wanaka in the South Island.
Day One (28.11.10) covers a 42.2km trail through lake and mountain scenery, crossing part of the Millennium Track and ending at Glendhu Bay on Lake Wanaka. Law chose this track for its "unbroken, glorious scenery ... Lakes Hawea and Wanaka are real gems and the high mountains that surround both are breathtaking in their beauty".
Day Two (29.11.10) is across the Young - Wilkin circuit starting at Blue Pools, Makarora River in the Mt Aspiring National Park and covers 55km. It is a difficult alpine route, rated ‘very hard to extreme’ but Law says it was chosen because of the "gorgeous bush, icy clear rivers, rocky peak and glaciers in the near distance".
Day Three (30.11.10) starts at Motatapu Road near Glendhu Bay, and finishes in the old gold mining town Arrowtown in Central Otago. The 49km route has an ascent of 3,400m - the equivalent of climbing Mt Cook from sea level or Auckland’s Sky Tower 18 times. The ‘extreme’ rating makes this the toughest day on the 2010 challenge.
Day Four (1.12.10) is a 38km 'Wakatipu Wonderland'. Starting at Frankton Beach on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the track ascends 1300m through the spectacular scenery surrounding New Zealand’s adventure capital. Law says it was chosen because most of the run is over trails that tourists rarely tread.
Day Five (2.12.10) is the Rees - Dart circuit, starting at the Dart Valley 20km from Glenorchy at the southern end of Lake Wakatipu, and finishing at Chinaman’s Bluff in the Rees Valley. The distance is 61km and the trail is rated very hard - extreme. Law says it will be a long and exhausting day but the track is world-renowned for its beauty.
Day Six (3.12.10) is 52km on the Greenstone - Mavora walkway leaving Greenstone Wharf on Lake Wakatipu and finishing at the Mavora Lakes. Although crossing more gentle terrain, the long day means the trail is rated moderate to hard. It follows what Law describes as a classic South Island alpine landscape, through stunning beech forest trails along the pristine waters of the Greenstone River and out into an open high country station before reaching the Mavora Lakes where the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was filmed.
Day Seven (4.12.10) is The Kepler Challenge which starts and finishes at the control gates of Lake Te Anau and covers a distance of 60km. The trail is described as a good quality tramping track but with massive uphill and downhill sections. It was chosen because it is where the inaugural 7in7 challenge finished and was memorable for the scenery, the atmosphere, the people, the camaraderie and the party, says Law.
"It makes for a perfect finish to an epic week of running in paradise," he said.
Picking up the challenge
Already NZ$10,000 has been raised and 36 runners have signed up to join Law for the 2010 7in7 Challenge, most running one leg but others committing to two or three days.
Aucklander Lisa Markwick, who is registered for days 1, 2 and 7, ran on Day 2 of the 2009 challenge.
Overseas entries include Sarah Obbeek, of Melbourne, and Will Hayward, of Hong Kong.
While Law describes the 2009 challenge as the longest week of his life, he also says the feeling of elation having achieved it, made the experience the best in his life.
Cherished memories
Malcolm Law says this year’s challenge covers a part of the country that holds a lot of cherished memories and is an area where he’s spent a lot of time tramping, mountain biking and running.
"It’s home to the densest network of world-class trail runs anywhere on the planet - native bush, sparkling alpine lakes and rivers, high country tussock lands, old mining settlements, glaciers and snow-capped peaks. This area has it all," says Law.
The 2010 7in7 Challenge will be held from 28 November - 4 December in honour of Jonathon Alan Law who died from leukaemia at the age of 14.
More information
2009 7in7 Challenge
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