Dunedin professional runner Anna Frost has competed in some of the toughest trail and mountain races in the world.
However, when she is home in Dunedin, she enjoys getting back out on her early training grounds - the hills and beaches around the city. Here, Anna shares the second of her favourite Dunedin runs, from Woodhaugh Gardens to Flagstaff.
RUN TWO
Flagstaff Summit from Woodhaugh Gardens.
Starting at Woodhaugh Gardens, travelling through Ross Creek, McGoun's Track and the Pineapple Track.
I sometimes like to add on to the run by going down to the Bull Ring or across to Swampy Summit
Difficulty Level: Hard. Ross Creek is a great easy walking track that you can push prams and walk the kids/dogs/grandparents on a well-groomed track around the reservoir. McGoun's and Pineapple Track all the way to Flagstaff Summit are very hard. It is very steep and muddy. And it gets a bit technical near the top.
Walk time: 4hr-4hr.
Anna's run time: 1hr-2hrs
Best thing: There is great variation in terrain, plants and trails from the gardens to the reservoir to the bush and then up on to the exposed tussock summits.
Caution: It is very steep, technical and often muddy, so wear stable trail/hiking shoes that provide stability and grip.
GETTING THERE
From the Octagon travel along George St until you arrive at the Woodhaugh Gardens main entrance.
THE RUN
Go through the main garden gates on George St and follow the path. After a short distance it allows you to drop on to a track which runs alongside the Water of Leith. Then it is up some stairs and back on to Malvern St. Follow Malvern St past the camping ground to the Ross Creek entrance.
Follow the main track up to the reservoir, turn left and cross the dam. From there link up with one of the tracks which leads to the intersection of Tanner and Burma Rd.
Head up Drummond St and then turn right on to the McGoun's Track. This is a good quality track which winds and twists through native bush and eventually connects with the Pineapple Track.
Once on the Pineapple Track, it also climbs through bush, steeply at times, to emerge in a paddock.
The track re-enters the bush and climbs a spur before re-emerging into grass land infested with broom. There is a further steep climb through open grassland and scrub to Pineapple Junction.
Take the left hand track which goes through tussock land, around the knoll, and on to the small saddle. A final short climb reaches the top. Return the same route.
Track information sourced from Dunedin Tracks and Trails by Antony Hamel and pamphlets available from the Dunedin City Council.