The first event of this season and the first in the Auckland Half Marathon Series - the 10km in Devonport. This year, the series features seven events; they added two new ones since last season. Completing all seven gets you a bonus (rather large) medal.
I’m currently recovering from an injury, so I can’t really run. But I didn’t want to miss the event, so I decided to simply walk my 10 km distance.
A huge plus of Devonport is that you can get there by public transport, meaning there’s no need to drive and search for a parking spot. I woke up at 6:30 AM, caught a train to the city center, then made a quick transfer to the ferry, and in 10-15 minutes, I was already there.
Devonport is a place with a rich military history. The first naval base in New Zealand (HMNZS Philomel) was established here in 1841. The Navy Museum is right nearby. Inside North Head hill, entire networks of old military tunnels have been preserved, and at the top, there are artillery guns (they were used to defend Auckland Harbour).
That’s why I really like the route in Devonport. There’s plenty to look at: streets with wonderful historic villas, the hill with cannons, plenty of sea views, etc. Although half-marathoners might get a bit tired of it: the half marathon takes two laps, so athletes pass all these sights twice. Lucky for me, I didn’t get bored at all. I tried to capture some of these views on video, but I’m sure I missed a lot.
In the end, I completed the course in 1 hour and 42 minutes. Not my fastest pace, but I wasn’t in a hurry and occasionally stopped to get my phone out to take a photo or video. The main thing is - I finished and collected my first medal of the series!