For twenty-nine years, Toi’s Challenge has been a highlight of the eastern Bay of Plenty trail running calendar, featuring a spectacular mix of coastal and forest trails between Whakatāne and Ōhope. Jim Robinson shares the inside word - originally published in Walker Mag.
Last year, around 900 runners and walkers lined up — across the Julian’s Berry Farm 18km Toi’s Challenge, the 1XX 18km Toi’s walk, and the Robinson’s Law 6km fun run and walk.
The popular day showcases the trails of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, the Footsteps of Toi, named after the Māori chief who ruled the area around 800 years ago. It’s a genuine multi-terrain challenge, with the 18km route including short sections of sealed path, sand, and wooden steps, as well as lots of forest trail.
From Whakatane, the course twists up and down steep coastal hills and along two beautiful beaches before looping back to the start, with a total of about 800m elevation gain/descent. Aching legs are eased by stunning views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and distant islands (take a moment to look up!)
Especially from the midway point at Ohope, you’re running or walking through one of the country’s best examples of coastal Pohutukawa forest.
The 18km Toi’s Challenge can be taken on solo, or as a team of two. The men’s and women’s solo running records are almost ridiculously fast, just over 1hr 16min (Aaron Strong, 1996) and 1hr 27 min (Megan Burton, 2000). Last year’s winner, Hayden Wilde, finished just a few seconds outside the men’s record time — going by his Tokyo Olympic triathlon performance, one suspects he’ll have the record in the bag next time he lines up.
The trails are what matter most, though, and the majority of entrants take over two hours. Some are still out there after more than four hours.
Aside from the course itself, the day is well-known for its friendly, generous vibe. “Toi’s is community-run, organised by the Whakatane Athletic and Harrier Club. It is very well supported by local business who get behind with prizes,” says William Doney, who has been event director for 10 years.
“It is one of those events that gives back to all competitors. It’s the only event we know of where all finishers get juicy strawberries!”
Toi’s gives back in other ways too. For eight years, a portion of each entry fee has supported the Whakatane Kiwi Trust, which helps to nurture and protect wild kiwi in the hills the trails pass through. As the Toi’s Challenge web site states, “We are proud of the fact that Whakatane is known as the Kiwi Capital of the World”.
If you’re not up for 18km, the Robinson Law 6km walk and run options offer an achievable goal for those with moderate levels of fitness. This shorter course is also hilly, with a leg-burning section of steps on the bush track known as the ‘Birdwalk’, before a fast return to the start on roadside footpath.
“Across the events, my goal is to get at least 1000 people to take part,” says Doney.
“It is one of those events that gives back to all competitors. It’s the only event we know of where all finishers get juicy strawberries!”
