I headed up to Hanmer on the weekend to take part in the Four Square half marathon.

It was a cracker of a day, perfect running conditions and the scenery was awesome. I've done it before, but only the 10km a few years ago so the half was a good, new challenge. I think there were about 1200 people entered and man there were some fit bods there! The atmosphere was great, so many positive, energetic people, I loved the whole thing. 

My mate Jon and I stuck together for the whole 21kms, we just took it easy and enjoyed the run. Coming down the chute at the finish line was awesome, lots of people clapping and cheering us on, it was so cool and such a great feeling. It really made me think of Quickie Events, of course I'd love to have those big numbers, but what I noticed was the Quickies we've had so far have had a great vibe too - everyone has been so supportive - of the event and each other. That's what makes it so satisfying, seeing people getting out there and challenging themselves amongst other like minded people. Hopefully over the coming months/years Quickies will continue to grow, but for now it's good to know we're on the right track, creating cool events, providing realistic training goals and acting as a stepping stone on to bigger distances.

I figured I'd get ahead with planning while I had the time on the weekend, and got through most of the admin for A Quickie In The Forest duathlon at Bottle Lake Forest Park.

There are still plans to hold a couple more Quickies before Forest, during the winter months - hopefully in the Port Hills and at Halswell Quarry, but seeing as I can use the same tracks as last year's Quickie in the Forest event, I thought I'd launch it sooner rather than later, and get back to work on finding those frustrating tracks up the hills.

If you took part in 2012, then we'd love to see you again and it'll be great to compare times, it's a good goal to smash last year's time that's for sure. For all the new comers, you're very welcome, it's a great event and the Bottle Lake tracks provide heaps of cool variation in terrain and scenery. 

So keep Sunday the 1st of September free and welcome spring in style with A Quickie in the Forest!

The chilly morning of Saturday the 6th of April saw North New Brighton become home to some very fit and enthusiastic bodies at The Icebreaker Quickie on the Beach duathlon event.

It was a small but perfectly formed gathering, who gave it heaps, producing some impressive times, but most importantly had a great time. Running in sand is a bitch and the sand dune which had to be crossed certainly was a slap in the face after each transition! But the good kind. If there is such a thing. Also, a very excited dog on the first run stage provided a bit of incentive for some faster times - ah the joys of a beach run!

Coming in first for open female was Tabitha Dickson with a great time of 01:09:20, in open male was James Hoogenboezem at 00:57:46, a right scorcher. Linda Poulsen took vet female honours with 01:11:35 and male vets division saw war horse Mike Dent bring it home for the +40s with 01:01:43, a solid result. 

There were only two teams - one in the mixed category and one in male, so needless to say they did very well in their field! Mixed team Elsie and Marnus chalked up 01:23:55 after a great effort and male team consisting of Dallas Wichman and Jake Rowse steamed over the finish line on 00:51:18 - those guys are freakin fit! Really awesome to watch, well done guys.

A massive thank you to all those who entered and gave it heaps, as well as competitors who began helping me pack down without even being asked - I really appreciated it. 

Keep warm and stay healthy and we'll see you at the next Quickie :)

It sure is.

These will be your track markers on the day, mostly on the bike stage as there are a few tracks that criss cross over each other, and we don't want you taking the wrong turn! In addition to these, make sure you check out the 13km Bike Course video which shows you exactly where the track goes.

I don't imagine it'll be difficult to stay on course for the run stages, but if I can find some stakes then I'll probably put a few out with these 'ere markers on them. It'll be more for encouragement than direction I guess, but whatever helps!

Hope training is going well :)

As the name suggests, Icebreaker are getting involved with the Quickie on the Beach in April and we're stoked to have their support.

For you as an entrant this means you've got some really sweet prizes in the form of Icebreaker product up for grabs. We'll have something pretty bloody special for the winners of each category as well as Icebreaker spot prizes handed out on the day, so if nothing else, there's a great reason to go hard! 

As soon as we've got the exact prize list through we'll chuck it up online for all to see. But for now, make sure you're getting out there for some runs and bike rides - enjoy the nice weather while it's still around! Eat well and we'll blog again soon :)

Here it is, The Icebreaker Quickie on the Beach 13km mountain bike stage! Geez it looks good too, and totally accomplishable with little training! Well, I think so anyway. But please do some training, you'll get way more out of it if you do.

I'm undecided if I'm going to record a couple videos for the run components of the event, it's a there and back run up the beach, so you can't really get lost. We'll see how we go. But anyway, I hope this video helps and gives you a clear shot of what to expect come race day. There are heaps of tracks criss crossing in Bottle Lake Forest Park and based on last event (Quickie in the Forest) it seemed no matter how well I thought I had sign posted the tracks for both the runs and the bike, a few people still took a slight wrong turn along the way. So, with that in mind please watch this video and familiarise yo'self!

Right, as you were. Do spread the word about The Icebreaker Quickie on the Beach, I'd love for it to go off and continue to grow. Any questions, sing out :)

I'm thinking for the next Quarter Pounder, Travis Wetlands could be a really cool spot.

I measured it out last week and lo and behold it's almost exactly the same circumference distance-wise as North Hagley Park! Which means three laps and you've got yourself a 10.5km run - quarter of a marathon. Bam. Awesome.

And the scenery is great too, loads of birds, nice trees, the marshland in the middle with some pretty ponds and the board walk is cool too. The tracks a hard packed gravel and of course it's all away from the surrounding roads which means no crossings, or driveways to look out for. That probably doesn't phase you much, but as an event organiser these are all major plusses! You could do this run with a pram if you're so inclined. Anyhoo, I'll put this event on a couple weeks before the Quickie on the Beach, as a little teaser and for a starter goal for those who are interested. Hope you're well!

Today I gave the Port Hills a rest and headed to North Brighton - Waimairi Beach for a change of scenery and to check out potential locations for the upcoming 'A Quickie on the Beach'. 

After having struggled considerably up the hills trying to find suitable tracks that loop back, I was pleasantly surprised to find Waimairi Beach is pretty much a perfect spot! There'll be a couple of Chariots of Fire runs - one heading off north up the beach and back, as well as one heading south and back. 

The mountain bike section of this event will involve riding parallel to the shoreline for a good section before heading into Bottle Lake for a loop then back to the transition area for the final run. I'll explain in way more detail don't worry, I still have to map it all out for exact distances. Will post that as soon as it's done. I'm also keeping the MTB section off the beach because I doubt many people will be keen riding through loose sand or walking on it and caking their cleats with the stuff.

Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Hope you had a great time and here's to a great 2013, I have the feeling it's going to be a doozy. Once the next few Quickie Events have been signed off, you're going to have some really great fitness goals to work towards!

While I'm still scratching my head, plotting A Quickie in the Hills course up the Port Hills, I'm embarking on the city event route as well, just to really confuse myself.

This one's going to be a toughie, as I'll have to involve quite a bit of traffic management no doubt. Of course that also means forking out substantial amounts of cash...While I've considered getting my traffic controller's certificate (to Level Two) I think I'm probably best to bite the bullet and enlist the services of professionals. I'd rather get this done right than make any potentially harmful mistakes!

So the picture here shows the Red Zone as it currently stands. I rode my bike around it, staying as close as possible to the perimeter, I didn't go down the ReStart Mall though. I'm thinking this will have to be a looping course, as it's only 5.83km in total, and I'm wondering how I'm going to fit in a bike stage if I decide to go with a duathlon. Maybe this one would be easier just to leave as a short run? Would be great for attracting people from out of town who are into a bit of fitness and want to see where Christchurch CBD is at. I'm thinking out loud here...

With The Quarter Pounder done and dusted, it's full steam ahead with the next Quickie Events. Yes that's right, plural - I'm going to be working on three at once, so I can line them up in the new year. This is probably how most event companies do it, and I've been a little slow catching on, but hey I'm still new at this.