Hard hills and high fives _{by Madelaine Empson}

Race director Brad Coleman created the Tip Track Marathon (TTM) in 2017 as a joke that is still going even though no one is laughing.

“It was all for a laugh and we threw some koha into a bucket to donate to the Mental Health Foundation. To my shock, several attendees asked if I’d organise it again – and here we are at the ninth edition.”

With the tagline ‘Wellington’s least favourite trail running event’, Coleman says the strictly not-for-profit TTM doesn’t take itself too seriously and isn’t about medals.

“Instead, you head up one of the steepest hills in Wellington, get blasted by the howling northerly, and have your nostrils set on fire by the smells from the tip!”

There have been many highlights over the years, including seeing people attempt their first marathon and raising over $25,000 for local charities.

“I know I am biased, but there is something special about this event. The people that turn up are the best! There is a tremendous community feel that I’m nowhere near skilled enough to describe. People doing something really hard, but smiling and high-fiving other runners they have never met. It’s so great to watch and facilitate.”

With a half and full marathon option, this year’s Ōwhiro Bay event takes place on Saturday the 6^th of September in support of Youthline Wellington and Social Supermarket. When I ask Coleman what he’d say to anyone considering registering (which you can do at www.tiptrackmarathon.co.nz), he replies, “Don’t do it!”

“Just joking”, he counters, possibly joking about joking. “You’ll have a great time!”