Wow, the Dual Marathon sounds AMAZING.. & tough!

 

 

Tomorrow I will do a race report on my Half Marathon I raced in on Sunday. But for now I have been browsing the website of the Marathon I am doing next month. The description of the run itself sounds amazing so wanted to include it on here.  So here is the description of the Dual Marathon as copied from their website www.thedual.co.nz

Starting at Home Bay, Motutapu Island, the Marathon course gets straight into the good stuff. An honest climb to start, rewards burning legs with magical sea views towards the viaduct basin. The following section leads you across farm land, around the southern-most tip of Motutapu Island, Emu Point.

Over the causeway and onto the basalt surrounded gravel roads of Rangitoto Island. You start the slow but steady grind to the top of the 600 year old volcano. On the climb you will divert onto a beauty little single track, that takes you on a loop past the Lave Caves and around the edge of the crater.  You stride out down the direct route through the awesome Pohutukawa Forest to the Rangitoto wharf. Once you're back on deck at sea level it's into the coastal track. This 6km "jungle" like section will keep you on your toes with its technical contours as you follow the historical trail through the lava fields along the coast line. It's magic!

Ticking off the halfway mark and its back to the flowing farm trails of Motutapu. Making your way clockwise around the North-West of the Island you'll have ocean vistas making your way past a number of old World War Two gun emplacements. The Northern Junction turnaround point sees you descending back down to Home Bay through some lush native bush - thanks Motutapu Restoration Trust!

As you pass by Home Bay you have 8km to go, phew - soak up that atmosphere. Following the gravel road you now make your way back over the hill towards the causeway before finishing via a soaring downhill with some inspiring views down to the event base.
The total ascent (vertical metres gained) over the course is 1103 metres.

Course terrain breakdown;

• Gravel road
• Single track (forest & volcanic / lava)
• Grass track & trail

I now completely understand why Keegan has increased my training so much. I think I may have picked a rather difficult marathon to run, but super excited after reading the above - it sounds gorgeous. More motivation to put on my shoes every day!