Some days you have runs that just all come together, and while big missions can't ever be described as "easy", this one just flowed. My body felt strong right to the end and my feet were in great shape (unlike previous runs where I've battled blisters). Any time I felt tired, I realised it'd been a while since I'd eaten and a few calories soon remedied that.
I was feeling a bit frantic starting off from Sunrise carpark at 3:57am: my self-imposed pressure of chasing an FKT. Knowing 95% of the route is both a blessing and a curse - it gives reassurance and conversely some anxiety when the last time you travelled the technical sections was 21+ hours into a sleep-deprived main range traverse.
By Sunrise Hut I'd settled down, knowing it'd be what it would be, and to just take the day as it came. Unlike the Ruahine Traverse, I loved the technical sections and Matt and I flew through without hesitation or fear.
The weather was perfect and we continued to make excellent time - being 2.5 hours ahead of my estimates by the time we were half way.
Nearing Maungamahue my knees were getting a bit achy (the vert is a b*tch on this run!), so I took a couple of paracetamol before we plunged down to the river.
Another haul out the other side and we were back on the tops, and still in daylight. Clouds built below us and we were treated to a stunning sunset from Wooden Peg. By Mangaweka the headtorches came out, nav required more focus on the tussocky tops with split ridges, and finally another layer went on as a cool breeze picked up. We were treated to a full display of the lunar eclipse in the starry sky.
Reaching our 21st (and final) highpoint, the tendrils of cloud started touching us, causing our lights to bounce back. Running down the gentle slope to the bushline, we entered the only part of the route I hadn't done. The track was big and wide and well cut, until nearing the river where it became steep and narrow and we were lowering ourselves down small drops hanging onto flax bushes, while shimmying around ongaonga patches.
At midnight we rode the cable car high above the river - peering over the side I couldn't see the water below. Over the other side the ongaonga got ridiculous. Donning full waterproofs, gloves, and hoods up we pushed through and I still managed to get stung on the thigh.
Emerging out of the bush, running across the grass we reached Kawhatau Base at 00:32 - 20 hours, 34 minutes after setting off (2:26 faster than estimated), completing the first known single push of the Ruahine 1600s.