Steenbergen Holland 2013

Report form World 24 Hour Championships Steenbergen 2013

After hours of training on the sunny sands of Otago, Hampden ultra-distance runner Val Muskett found herself pounding the icy cobbles of Steenburgen, a small Dutch town as she competed in the world 24-hour championships.

The Arctic-like conditions of the Netherlands played havoc with many of the 270 athletes as they made their way round the winding 2.3km course.

Race day started bright and cool but as the day progressed the weather regressed from drizzle, to rain and then bursts of freezing hail. Val lined up carrying the start of a head cold - courtesy of husband-manager John - but was determined to battle on and not let down her two Kiwi teammates, Antonia Johnson and Kim Allan, who were making their world championship debuts.

By the time Val had reached the marathon distance she was five minutes behind schedule but because of the trying conditions was leaving plenty in the tank to get her through what would inevitably be a gruelling next 20 hours.

 As the Kiwis were piling on extra clothing to combat the bitter weather, they got a helping hand from a most unexpected source. A Dutch spectator, who had lived in Taranaki 40 years ago, supplied the entire New Zealand camp with wool hats and hand-knitted cowls. And the layers of kindly donated insulation were to prove invaluable.

 As the rain continued to be driven in on icy blasts the women wearing the Silver Fern gritted their teeth and pressed on. Antonia, the youngest team member, was lapping quicker than the other two with Kim just in front of Val.