Arataki Trail Run - 6km - Waitakere Ranges

Today I participated in the Arataki Trail Run organized by the Sri Chimnoy Marathon Team

A 6 km trail run of the Arataki Loop located in the Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland.

Starting the morning in nature with the morning sunlight is something I always love.

Waking up fresh and making the most of my day is something I want to do for the rest of my life.

Arataki Loop track

There was a calm. relaxed feel before the run.

Maybe because it was organized by meditators?

Maybe because we were in nature?

The race organizer explained the course and asked we give 30 seconds of silence before the start.... to gather our mind and revitalize ourselves before we embarked on this 6 km run and enjoy the nature before us. It was a nice way to start.

Arataki Visitor Centre, West Auckland

The first half of the track was downhill and running through the nature was enjoyable. I could glide along the trail.

However, once we got to the bottom of the hill, we then made a turn and started back up hill.

It was mostly uphill for the back half.

This is where my heart beat went up to 170 bpm (as measured on my Garmin Forerunner watch).

I started walking at one point, as it was a steep climb! Definitely the steepest climb that I have done in a run.

I'm glad I chose the 6km (1 lap) rather than the 12km (2 laps) that some others were doing!

A 230m elevation gain, it was a tough 6km.

Arataki Loop track

However, it was nice coming back to the finish line where we started.

And once we finished, they served free pancakes!!

Fresh pancakes with raspberry, cream, brown sugar, lemon and honey! 😋

The pancakes at the end have motivated me to come back again next year.

I would do this trail run again, as it's not too long (6km) and about 40 minutes.

I know when I have had a good run as my body feels good.

Sometimes you need to push yourself to get a reward - you get out what you put in.

And for the pancakes, I would definitely come back again for those next year!