Without a doubt, the highlight of any runner's athletic career would be setting new PB's or conquering a new distance for the first time. As a keen competitive runner, I look forward to achieving new running goals, which generally means PB's or sometimes the elusive podiums in smaller races.

The June long weekend is a fantastic time of year in NZ. It is the onset of winter, but generally speaking the weather is still fine and mild during the day, and a fantastic opportunity to head off for a few days of rest and relaxation. That is, except if you are a runner! For on this weekend, there are countless opportunities to compete in race events all over the country. The premier event is the Christchurch Marathon, where all the best athletes will generally head along to. This year, a new event sprung up in Paihia- which is in the Bay of Islands- about 3 hours drive north of Auckland.

Having been here a few times before, I knew that it was a fantastic location for a running race. In addition, it makes a great base for some family recreational activities too. We managed to get in a steam train ride and some bush walks through magnificent Kauri forests on the Saturday before race day.

The town has a fantastic waterfront strip which is the first out and back section of the course, then there is a magnificent bush trail that takes about 4km to move through to the stunning Haruru Falls. The back end of the course is about a 3km hill climb up a gravel road before levelling out, then a km is added on down a steep hill and back up, before a rolling 2km run to the finish line.

Given that I never seem to get my nutrition intake right in the days before a race, I decided to spurn the traditional pasta carb dinner on race eve. Instead I went for steak and ribs which was a fantastic feast the night before- it felt like I was eating the post-race meal!

Not sleeping particularly well before the race, I got up at 6am and got in my breakfast which consisted of a banana, Sultana Bran cereal, and a V Energy drink. My son, as always is an early riser, so we also got in a game of monopoly! Once changed and ready, I headed out and did a light jog along the 3km to the start line- our hotel was on the race course.

For race nutrition, I had packed 2 Leppin gels and a packed of Clif Energy Shot Blocks, which I have been training with in a bid to try and keep my sugar stores well stocked across the race.

I had pre-registered the day before, so there was nothing really for me to do before the race start other than try and keep warm on a very brisk morning, and start my race warm up and stretching.

The race start was preceded with the local Waitangi Kapa Haka performing a stunning powhiri (Maori welcome). Then before we all knew it, the gun suddenly fired, which sent the Maori performers scrambling out of the way of the runners, and we were off! It was out of the carpark, a left turn across the rickety Waitangi bridge, and across the town.

I shot out quickly and was first across the bridge, leading the field into town. It was such a strange sensation, running along and know that there was a horde of 650 runners chasing me wherever I went! Through my peripheral vision, I noticed an imposing figure racing on my heels- a giant of a man in comparison to my modest 5 feet 8 inches. He certainly kept me honest for those first few km.

Though it was early, there were a few spectators about along the beach and in the cafes, and they provided welcome support and encouragement. I was looking forward to when I reached the 3km mark, as this is when I would pass by my hotel again, where my family was waiting to cheer me on. I don't particulary want for support when running, but it certainly gives you a huge lift, when you hear someone calling out your name.

Once past the hotel, it was up over a hill, then a descent to the next bay, where there was a drink station and turn around to head back across town towards the bridge. It was 5-6km in now, and I realised that I had already dropped the man mountain in blue, but suddenly there was a more nimble looking lad in a black singlet who had me in his cross hairs! He was close, but did not push for the lead, so I continued to navigate the course for the race field as we headed up another hill past the start line, and a left turn onto the trail section that ran through to Haruru Falls.

This part was unchartered territory for me as I have NEVER raced on trails, and as I stumbled down the first steps onto the track, I realised that I would have to slow down a bit to mind my footing. It was a very narrow and undulating track that twisted and turned, and went up and down. One less pleasant factor was that as it was early morning on a cold day, and I was leading the race, I was smashing into all the over night spider webs that had been cast across the track! My pace had slowed markedly on the trail, but here it was all about navigating the course safely without tripping or falling. Plus, I listened out as carefully as possible to try and sense how close other runners were behind.

A highlight of the trail section was a run across an elevated wooden boardwalk to cross the waterway. This was quite a long section of around 500m, and again was very narrow. So it was advantageous to not have to be chasing anyone or trying to pass- virtually impossible to do safely. Having got through this section, it was a bit more trail, before reaching the Haruru Falls, then finally getting back onto road at about the 13km mark.

Whilst a straighter and more consistent surface, this road section was a slow 3km climb which quickly changed from sealed road to loose gravel and dirt. It was hard going, and again slow initially. I had got about 1km up this section and looked back to see the guy in the black singlet about 500m back, so he had managed to stay in touch and keep me working for the final third of the race.

Eventually the hill levelled off, and there were some majestic views of the Bay of Islands as I crossed 17km. Then there was a left turn down to the bottom of a steep street for about 500m, before turning to go back up for the final 2km run to the finish. Having turned at the bottom, I was about a third of the way back up when my pursuers started to appear. It's always very disconcerting when you have a short out and back section as it appears to condense the field and bring everyone closer together. Though I had started to panic a little that I may ultimately be run down, the guy in second shouted out in frustration as we passed "Oh crap, we have to run back up this hill???" It was then that I realised that everyone else was hurting as much as I was, and all I had to do was to maintain my pace for the last 3km to keep the differential.

Eventually I reached the top of the hill again, and then it was a left turn and a flat run through the golf course with slight undulations. I started to pick up the pace again so that I could build what I hoped would be an unassailable lead to the finish.

In the distance I saw a police car heading my way. It went past me, then turn around and passed to my front again, then turned on its strobes and I realised that it was a police escort to the finish line!!! How fantastic was this- the whole race I was trying to lead out, but unsure of my pace, and over the last stretch of the race, I had a police car escort to pace me to the finish. To make things even better, the course started a gentle slope, then more pronounced downhill run, so I was able to (finally) finish a Half marathon race with the last km being the fastest!

I shot down the road as the finish neared, and it was the most amazing feeling I have ever experienced with some many people cheering me on. Some kids decided to run alongside as I neared the finish line, then I spotted my family cheering me on wildly as well. Wanting to ensure that I did indeed finish the job, I maintained my focus for the final 50m and hurtled towards the finish line to cross and win my first ever race!!

My time was not fabulous- just under 83 mins, however upon reading up on the course with the hills, trail and gravel road, I was expecting to be running somewhere between 83-85mins, so this was certainly better than my expectations. One thing that I did realise was that hills are no longer something that I dread in races, and certainly don't slow things down quite as much as I used to think.

What an experience it was to run such an amazing course in a brand new race, which had such a variety of beautiful terrain. To finish first was beyond my wildest dreams (and may never happen again), hence something that I will treasure for years to come...

Some of my unforgettable memories from the day:
1) The strangest sensation of having 650 people chasing you everywhere you go

2) The realisation that despite doubting myself over and over during the race, I knew that I could continue going strong, and the rest of the field was going to have to catch me first to take it from me

3) Getting a police vehicle escort over the last 1km to the finish line with sirens wailing

4) Running down the home stretch and seeing my family so excited

5) Crossing that finish arch, and having that moment all to myself

Onto the next race then...