A couple of weeks ago during a local Xterra trail race, a runner went running and didn’t come back.
The Police and Search and Rescue were called, and 26 hours after the race began, she was found. Cold, hungry and happy to be alive.
I must have been a horrific wait for her family and friends, not to mention the rescue teams, police, volunteers and race organisers.
Trail markings for the Orongorongo Xterra race.
The race was part of my local Xterra trail series. The series has a great community vibe, and offers fun Sunday runs through some gnarly forest trails. It’s paradise.
Regular Xterra runners were all over social media while the runner was missing. There was overwhelming concern for the woman, but discussion occasionally turned more generally to the risks and safety measures of these races.
At the start of every single Xterra race, at every single Xterra event, race organiser Tomo gives a speech:
“We respect some of you are pretty fit and can knock these runs out no problem. However, if you roll an ankle or have a fall and need to sit on the side of the track for a while, you will need to keep warm. Have no fear our marshals will be looking after you, but given the nature of these events, it may be some time before we get you back to home base.”
He reminds us for safety’s sake we should have a long-sleeved thermal or waterproof jacket, some water, food and a basic first aid kit. Survival blankets are available for a few dollars at the registration desk.
The most basic kit won’t kill your finishing time.
About 30 per cent of the runners are like my sister who automatically packs a bag with gels, warm clothing, cellphone, water, and probably a map.
Then there are runners like me who take the least amount of gear possible (emergency gel, long-sleeved top) or worse, runners with no gear and wearing only a singlet and shorts. It’s faster you see, and saves the hassle.
Big sister: “You’re relying on your ability to run and not thinking about what would happen if something went wrong that’s outside of your control.
“It’s New Zealand bush and New Zealand has really changeable weather. That’s why so many tourists who go tramping get into trouble, because they underestimate the conditions. It’s the same thing”
Amen sister.
It would be so easy for any Xterra runner to twist an ankle or take a wrong turn and then be unable to summon for help. It doesn’t matter how good you are at running, by not carrying gear, you’re putting the onus on race organisers to get you out of trouble, which, when you think about it, is kinda irresponsible.
The Xterra community has a lot of respect for organisers Tomo and Eve. The pair put on a fantastic (and safe) series. Had the recent ordeal ended tragically, it would have had major repercussions for them too.
As Tomo said, they’ve had over 12,000 people run in the bush since their first Wellington event in 2008, “I fully expected something like this would happen one day”, he said, which is why they have a very comprehensive management plan for missing runners.
Regardless, it should be up to the individual runner to ensure they get home safely. Carry a whistle, take some food, wear some warm clothing. It may cost you seconds on your finishing time, but it could buy you hours if you’re lost in the bush.
Running in paradise.
runningwithabook 