Feedback on Duel

Jeeeeesus....thas right, it has had a religious effect on me....anyone care to share their feeling on the Duel at Rangitoto/Motutapu a few days ago?  The marathon was insane, not quite as technically hard as say the Goat, or the Mac's West Coaster 28k, but the sheer distance took its toll.  Magic views huh??

I've completed a few road marathons around the 3 1/2 hour mark but The Duel nearly broke me, especially the last 2 hill sections after running through Home Bay. Sunday was a strange day and I'm still not sure whether I want to return to 'The Rock' next year. Views were great but pity the early settlers didn't leave a few more trees standing, running in the bush into Home Bay was uplifting.

Whew, glad I'm not the only one who felt it out there!! To be fair, when I saw the 26k mark, that was when I really started to feel it. Gotta admit, that little bit thru Home Bay was hard - smell of lamb burgers and the sight of people finishing...I think I will return, but on my terms - need to somehow find a way to to get the nerve to run along that mental scoria patch...at least there will be 1000 or so more trees now for the next generation after our run - wasn't that the deal?  A tree per person or something?