The Old Ghost Ultra 2023. Trail Running Heaven.

What an event, and what a great weekend on the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu Aotearoa/New Zealand. After two years of build-up, the Old Ghost Ultra is knocked off.
I was very happy with the way the race panned out thanks to @AbeWhaanga and his perfect pacing plan and positive encouragement. My nutrition and hydration seemed to work out bang-on, and I had no issues with my feet in the #salming Recoil Trails. I was hit by a pretty solid cramp attack at about 70 km, and happy that it didn't come sooner, but was able to manage it through to the finish line.
The training plan appeared to work, and the many hours spent gathering knowledge from local ultra veterans, and researching on-line, meant that I felt as prepared as I could have been for a first-timer.
10h 38m was fast enough for a bronze medal in the 55-65 AG, and we were 86th OA of 250 starters.
Thanks again to everybody who has been part of this wonderful journey. It's been an absolute blast and I'm very grateful for the shared motivation.
Also thanks again to Shari Samson for tolerating this ongoing Type II behaviour - an endurance feat in itself! And special recognition also to my cousin and ultra runner Stewart Mathiesen, who really was the initial inspiration behind all this. RIP Stewart, I was thinking of you lots out there, and carrying your memory with me along the trail.
So now for some rest and recuperation through March, before I start on the For Rangers Save the Rhino Ultra training plan in early April. Follow that journey here;
/ 780338986598794
#salmimgnz #rowpt #healthpluswaihi
It's also worth a massive shout-out to the race organisers and volunteers. You people are amazing and your passion is infectious. Thank you so much!!
#oldghostultra #westportnz #oldghostroad
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Other Adventures
Old Ghost Road MTB: • Old Ghost Road Epic MTB
Ruapehu Around the Mountain: • A Run Around the Mount...
Run Ruapehu: • An Alpine Running Adve...
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Tracking
Strava: / strava
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Related Videos
Waihi MTB Track: • Black Hill MTB Track -...
Saint James Cycleway MTB: • St James Cycleway Ride
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Other Adventurous Events
The Nugget MultiSport Festival: thenugget.co.nz
The Trail Trilogy: www.trailtrilogy.com
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Social
Instagram: / mark.samson.nz
Facebook: / mark.samson.waihi.nz
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Running Gear
www.salmingnz
www.sportify.nz
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Camera Gear
Action Cameras: Sony FDR-X-3000 + Insta360 GO2
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Music
Huge thanks to Bottlesmoker
Tracks: Bonet Circle, from Parakosmos + Pluviophile.
www.bottlesmoker.com
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Category
Sports

[@mareesamson8239]

Wonderful video cousin Mark and great to see you on the podium. I got lots of tips from your video editing.

[@marksamson9229]

Thanks Maree. It was a wonderful experience. It seems you never stop learning when it comes to video editing. It's very complex 😊

[@rasoolporhemmat1418]

Well done Mark and great video! I'll be running this in 10 days and this video along with conversations with people who have done it before has given me a good insight into what to expect on the day.

[@MarkSamson-NZ]

Thanks Rasool. That's awesome - more than happy to help. Hope you enjoy your experience, and I'll see you on the start line 😁

[@simonashby87]

Congrats on your race Mark & Abe. You gave me an early ride to the bus and I'm very grateful. A pleasure to watch your suffering! Man what a crazy thing we do, yet watching your video my brain is ticking over for a 2024 entry, ouch

[@marksamson9229]

Cheers Simon. Great to meet you, and glad you enjoyed your day. You did great 👍 See you there in 2024 😊

[@GypsyGirl317]

Congratulations on your podium position!
You are an inspiration and this is a very good video.
Planning on tramping this sometime soon. 🙆🏻‍♀️ 😊 🌿 ❤️ 👍🏽

[@MarkSamson-NZ]

Thanks very much. Appreciate that 🙂 The Old Ghost Road has a great story, it's more than just a track, which you'll no doubt discover when you hike it. Enjoy.

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@MarkSamson-NZ thanks.
Yes, so many of our tracks are steeped in history eh.
I love tramping in the Kaimais for that reason too.

[@bryanwild2638]

Very cool video and great advertising for the event..... those steps looked scary though.

[@MarkSamson-NZ]

Thanks Bryan. Funny thing, we all feared the steps, but they were over and done with pretty quick. The 25 km downhill on the other hand, which we were all looking forward to, was really hard!

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@MarkSamson-NZ downhill is always harder than uphill, unless it's a gentle gradient, I reckon! 😅
Nana Tramper. 😏

[@InterestingFingz]

Conrats. Great day, great run ewe!

[@MarkSamson-NZ]

Thanks mate. Yeah, it was a pretty special experience alright :-)