2021 was going to be my third Ultra NZ Valley Ultra (27 November 2021), and I had built it up in my head all year as the one that we climbed to Petries Ridge and got to experience those breath taking views. This hope was dashed early in the week of the ultra, as the long range forecast looked absolutely horrendous – everyone that knows the Craigieburn Ranges will know that you don’t take unnecessary risks if it’s anything but perfect conditions.
It was my birthday weekend, turning 45, and I was doing what makes me happy with a bunch of like-minded people.
With the last year that we have had and watching a lot of other events get cancelled or postponed, I still felt excited about just having an event to run in. There was still a challenging run in front of me though, and that climb up to the Craigeburn Ski Lodge was going to