Icebreaker - Pure Merino

We’re so proud! Piret Klade, who works for Icebreaker, proved that she’s got what it takes by coming second (with her partner Bryn) in the Motatapu 49km Team Adventure Run recently. The run from Wanaka to Arrowtown climbs a total of 2790 metres, traverses four peaks (the highest point being Jack Hall’s Saddle at 1275 metres above sea level), and covers rough tussock-covered areas, long, steep sadles and river crossings. As someone who flies under the radar and is incredibly modest about her talents, Piret took some tracking down for a quick Q&A session…

What inspired you to do the Motatapu Adventure Run?

I wanted to try something different – although I didn’t expect it to be quite so long and hilly (we call them mountains, Piret!). I was going to do the mountain bike first of all, but changed my mind and I’ve run a marathon before so this seemed like the next obvious challenge. More fun!

What were the high and low points?

The mountains! And the low point had to be reaching the second to last hill only to see the track stretching all the way down and all the way back up again.

Would you do it again?

Too soon to say. At the moment, no – the memory is too painful!

What now?

Competition-wise, orienteering over Easter at the New Zealand National Champs (Piret represents Estonia at an international level).

Check out some great footage of the run – you might want to do it next year…

Here’s a Blog post from our friends at Running Caffeinated who helped us launch our SoHo NYC Run Club on Wednesday night:

In a word, tonight was…fantabulous! Yes, it was that cool that I had to invent a word to describe it. Icebreaker, the run gear that everyone runner should be wearing, just launched their very own run group with, Running Caffeinated! We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout on this dreary NYC evening. We kicked-off the very first run with an easy 4 miles along the West Side Highway. And awaiting us at the store – an amazing spread of food.

What made the night even more spectacular was special guest, Kathrine Switzer, the very first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Her spirit, energy and passion for the sport are inspiring and infectious. I practically jumped out of my skin when I say living legend Kathrine Switzer. She is such a warm and welcoming person you just want to give her a hug and that’s exactly what I did, I couldn’t help myself!

Even cooler, was the fact that she accompanied us on our run. She took the time to chat with each runner in the group. She listened as everyone anxiously spilled their own passion for running, what they were training for, past accomplishments, etc.

The post-run cuisine was better than what you’d find in a five star restaurant. And while water and Gatorade are usually the only rehydrating options, every now and then it’s nice to have some fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or an IPA to go with that salmon ceviche or lamb pie. And for dessert, yes, dessert, raspberry lamington. Chef Mark Simmons took the post-run food table to a completely new level.

The evening wrapped up with a motivational, inspiring and entertaining talk from Kathrine about her quest to compete the Motatapu Icebreaker Marathon and the race that started it all, that fateful day in Boston.

If you missed the chance to join us for our inaugural run don’t worry; we’ll be back next Wednesday and every Wednesday after that, same time, same place, same Icebreaker run shirt. Because it’s No Stink!

- Carol Buonanno & Kelly Burnes, Running Caffeinated

To be honest I was not 100% sure about racing in Icebreaker at the 2010 Motatapu challenge (New Zealand’s iconic off road marathon).  I feel the heat and have always run or raced in a lite weight top.  So like every piece of kit I have ever been given I went out and tested it and found my self a bit surprised.

I trained in the IcebreakerGT150 Short Sleeve Velocity Crewe and found that it wicked moisture away from the body, it was cool and breathable on hot days and kept me warm on cold days.  I found I could wear it 3 or 4 days in a row and it wouldn’t smell either.

On the race day the weather was a mixed bag – cold in the morning, but overcast with sunny periods for the rest of the day.  Believe it or not I wore my IcebreakerGT200 Long Sleeve Chase Crewe and felt totally comfortable for the whole race.  Over the years I have been sponsored by a number of different clothing brands and I would have to say that Icebreaker would have to be the most versatile and best product I have used to date.

- Josh Stevenson