Not sure what this race did, but I went from 7 min miles to 8 - 9 and still not got it back... but oh boy what a race and what demons to face.

As mentioned in another review the last downhill is down a dryed up river bed.  I have never been slow close to just sitting down and waiting for an EVAC, every step was ankle twisting pain after some 50 odd very hilly miles. but hey I got there only just.

I only did the advance race which is the double marathon event, the 125 adds another marathon in the for the hell of it.

The landscape is amazing and although the race is expensive you will not forget the views and sites and the pain.

at one stage you turn a corner from the colder damper northern section of the island and boom the dryer warmer section of the island lies infront of you.  Amazing stuff. I just look at the hills and go OMG.

Number pick up is right next too the finsh, just make sure you have toliet brake before the 3am bus too the start.. emergency bottle needed to be used.

The guys and girls on the feed stations are amazing at watch you like hawks for any issues you may not think you are having.

The second to last service station I just zoned out in my head, next thing I know the helpers are all over me handing out warm food and drink and placing extra layers on me and chatting to get me back in the zone.  without these guys I might not have set off from that station. Kudos to them.They very last station after the hell of the last downhill have beer, which I grabbed and around midnight along with some Dutch guy we dragged ourselfes over the line.

I remember getting back too my hire car then waking up about 4 hours still in the said car as the sun rose on a new day.

Them airport stairs though. :D