Jacqui from the Local Rag caught up with Raglan Karioi Trail organiser Francois Mazet about the endurance trail event which returns to Raglan this year.
RKT is back up and running. How does it feel to resume the event after the disruption of Covid?
Yes, the Raglan Karioi Trail is back this year on Saturday 10 December. It’s such a pleasure as we couldn’t do the event last year.
It doesn’t mean that we haven’t been running on Karioi Maunga during the year but it’s so good to share that day with everyone and enjoy the experience. It is a special day every year!
Sadly we lost a special friend this year. RKT 2022 is dedicated to Kyle and we’ll be celebrating him on the day. Raglan Karioi Trail 2022 – This one’s for you Kyle
Can you describe the event to those who are not familiar with it?
The RKT is a mountain running event. We offer 3 distances:
The G.J. Gardner Homes 24km: this is a tough challenge that will take you through all kinds of emotions during and after the event!
The Red Stag Timber 10km: this is the last 10km of the 24km. It’s a great way to participate and experience the RKT. We have running and walking categories for this distance. This is perfect to discover Karioi. It will take you from Whale Bay to the other side of the maunga via the summit. It’s also a great distance for youth who like to run and challenge themselves.
The Trek ’n’ Travel 5km Family Fun: This is a 5km loop on Swanny’s farm with amazing views of the Ruapuke coast. Perfect for all ages and you can either run or walk it. Ideal for families to get together and share in this epic outdoor experience, or families of entrants doing the 24km or 10km.
And for sure, we all meet on the finish line for the prize giving, plenty of spot prizes, BBQ, drinks and stories!
Are there any changes to this year’s programme?
No changes!
We’re happy with the way the RKT is going. This is a small community event that offers different challenges to everyone but mainly we’re all doing it to share our passion for Karioi.
Who does the course and terrain suit? Can you walk it? Is there something for everyone?
This is why we offer different distances. Our participants range from some of the best trail runners of NZ (and some years from overseas) to a family with kids as young as 5!
The G.J. Gardner Homes 24km is for more experienced runners – everybody can give it a go but I recommend you train before you come! We don’t have a walking category because you need to run where the terrain will let you if you want to stay within the time cut-offs.
The Red Stag Timber 10km is for everyone. From experienced runners to casual walkers – but remember this is not a big day out or a picnic event. It’s a race so find your pace and don’t muck around too much. For sure you can stop for photos – the view’s worth it!!
The Trek ’n’ Travel 5km is for everyone. Usually one of the U18s wins it and our youngest participant so far was a pretty tough 5 year old.
What have been some of the highlights over the years?
There are so many highlights so it’s hard to list them. What I remember is all the emotions I have been through by organising it, and more important all the emotions that participants have been through over the 8 editions. Their smiles… or not and feedback after race is always something special!
What I am most proud of is that it wasn’t easy to organise the RKT (it’s still not!!) but we have become an iconic mountain running event in NZ. We are still a small event and it will stay like this because I want to keep the atmosphere of the RKT like it’s always been. We are all together to challenge ourselves and share our experience post-race around the BBQ.
How do people register and get involved?
Register online:
www.raglankarioitrail.co.nz/enter-race/
And to get involved as a volunteer or sponsor or for any questions please contact me:
francois@raglankarioitrail.co.nz
0212929452
Who helps you make this event possible?
First, my immediate family, especially Rachel, the whole week and the day of the event. And then the extended RKT whanau – many sponsors over the years, some of them have been supporting us from the beginning. I remember every single one and I am so grateful for their help. And then all the volunteers and people who’ve helped somehow – I couldn’t do the event without them and they’re a huge reason for the success and community atmosphere of the Raglan Karioi Trail. By the way, we are looking for some volunteers for this year’s edition so contact me if you are keen to join the RKT tribe!
