From Mountains To Sea: Stories Of Grit And Legacy At The Ian Priest Memorial

Petone, Wellington – January 2026 — The Ian Priest Memorial Ultra & Trail Events once again delivered a powerful celebration of endurance, community, and the rugged beauty of the Hutt River Trail, drawing runners from across New Zealand and overseas for a journey from the Remutaka Mountains to Wellington Harbour.

Set across four distances — Ultra Marathon (60km), Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10km Fun Run/Walk — the event offered something for everyone, from elite competitors to families and first-time trail runners. This year’s race was defined not just by performance, but by the deeply human stories unfolding along the course.

One of the most inspiring moments belonged to Auckland runner Ingrid Frost (59), who completed her 399th marathon, wearing bib M399. What began years ago as a response to being told she “couldn’t” run a marathon has grown into a personal mission: 400 marathons before her 60th birthday.

Veteran trail runner Vivian Cheng returned for her 19th consecutive Ian Priest Ultra, having run every edition since the event began in 2007. A former winner, Cheng again proved her class with a third-place finish, embodying the spirit of dedication that defines the race.

At the front of the field, Mel Brandon, a member of the New Zealand World Trail Running Team, dominated the 60km Ultra in a blistering 4:43:11, claiming both the overall and women’s titles. Meanwhile, in the 10km Fun Run, 11-year-old Dougal stunned spectators by finishing as the fastest male, offering a glimpse of the next generation of trail talent.

The event was supported by the Eastbourne Lions Club, Aurora Harriers, and a committed team of volunteers who staffed aid stations and checkpoints along the iconic Hutt River Trail.

The race honours Ian Priest, a tireless advocate for athletics who served in leadership roles across Athletics Wellington, Athletics NZ, and Aurora Harriers. Known for his passion for creating and improving events, Ian’s legacy lives on through this annual celebration of endurance and community.

Event organiser Andy Carruthers says the race continues to inspire runners to take on new challenges: “What people experience out here often becomes a turning point. That same spirit carries into the Tararua Mountain Race www.tmr.org.nz each March — another chance to test yourself in New Zealand’s wild places.”

Full results and event details are available at hutttrailevents.co.nz/ https://www.instagram.com/ianpriestmemorial/ and https://www.facebook.com/IanPriestTrailEvents/

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