World Record Holder’s Ultimate Guide to Conquering the Grand to Grand Ultra – with CurraNZ

How do you conquer one of the world’s most challenging multi-stage races - and set a global record in the process?

Dr Inia Raumati, New Zealand-based physician and world record holder for completing eight stage races on eight continents in a year, knows the answer.

Supported by CurraNZ throughout his record-breaking quest, Inia’s achievements reached new heights at the 275km Grand to Grand Ultra - where he not only finished, but won his age group.

As CurraNZ gears up to again sponsor the legendary Grand to Grand Ultra on September 20-26, Inia shares the hard-won lessons and expert strategies that turned his ultra challenges into success. If you aspire to take on multi-day ultras - or the G2G itself - consider this your go-to guide for thriving on this adventure of a lifetime.

Dr Raumati (pictured in New Zealand, with his dogs), writes: “When it comes to multi-stage, multi-day ultramarathons, the key to success lies not only in mental toughness and physical endurance, but in how well you can fuel your body. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in every step, and every race decision you make. I’ve come to understand, mainly through trial and error, that proper fuelling can make the difference between a strong finish, and a long day at the office - of which I’ve had many.

The Grand to Grand Ultra is a 6 stage, 7-day, 275 km race that traverses some of the most breathtaking terrain I’ve ever seen. The race starts at the rim of Grand Canyon and finishes in view of the Grand Staircase in Utah. Compared to other desert races I completed in 2024, I found the temperatures neither extremely hot during the day, nor cold overnight. However you must remember I had come from a New Zealand (NZ) winter and had already raced through the Namibian heat that year. You definitely need plenty of sunscreen and a good sun hat, preferably with a neck cover (legionnaire style) as you are in the open a lot.

There were two main environmental aspects of the race that caught me by surprise, which I would prepare for differently if taking on the challenge again.

Travel and altitude
The race altitude starts at roughly 1600m and ‘undulates’ up to around 2000m. If you live and train at sea level like I do, combining altitude, long distance travel and heat will guarantee some issues while racing.

The easiest way to get around this is to train at altitude or arrive early - but unfortunately most of us don’t have that opportunity. The altitude side-effects I struggle most with are gastrointestinal. Bloating, nausea and decreased oral intake in terms of food and fluids. All of these at best affects your race performance, and at worst - combined with the stress effects of the heat - could end your race.

CurraNZ dosing regime

 I found CurraNZ helped with my gastrointestinal issues, and this is the dosing regime I used for G2G as an 80-85kg male: 

•   At baseline 1-2 capsules a day, usually before training or bed

•   2 weeks prior to race start: 2 capsules daily, 2 hours before training

•   During the race: 3 capsules in the morning, (ideally 2 hours before race start).
Then 2 capsules every 5 hours, ie first dose 3 hours into the day’s running, and repeat every 4-6 hours, followed by 3 capsules at end of days running

•   Recovery post-race, I consumed 4 capsules a day for the first 2 days, then 3 per day for 2 days, then back to 2 per day.

As I was constantly travelling and running last year (8 stage races on 8 continents in total) I was effectively taking 1-2 capsules a day to help with recovery and maintenance, and believe that CurraNZ definitely helped with my daily and post-race recovery.

Gastroenterologist’s tip:

Another trick to dealing with ‘traveller’s gut’ that a gastroenterologist colleague put me onto, is to take 4 Laxsol tablets (Coloxyl with Senna) - an osmotic and stimulant laxative combination, the night before you fly. This effective empties your gut so you don't develop bloating and abdominal pain with flying. It takes 6-12 hrs to work so you need to get the timing right and I would definitely discuss this with your own doctor and trial it before you go.  

The Sand
'I was surprised at the amount of deep soft sand on the G2G course. The G2G is definitely the sandiest race I have ever run, even more so than other desert races in Namibia, Jordan and Atacama. I never wear gaiters, mainly because I can never find anyone to attach them properly to my shoes in NZ. I generally just empty my shoes as necessary during a race. Traditionally I have found that gaiters just get in the way and are an annoyance if you have to cross rivers. 

In saying that, I would definitely recommend good quality gaiters for G2G. Not only for the amount of sand, but the amount of cactus and spurs I was constantly pulling out of my shoes, the sharp little pricks get into everything!

In terms of gear you may also want to consider running poles and a solid sleeping mat. I have traditionally used a lighter inflatable mat which packs down small, but I did have to patch holes in it and couldn’t use it outside to sit on because of all the cactus spurs. Bring poles if you are used to them, as they definitely help your forward momentum in the sand.

One trick a couple of runners did, that I wish I had done now; was take their shoes off during the big sand dune section on the long day. Typically you hit that section during the night and the sand is nice and cool on your feet. Even the best gaiters will struggle to keep that sand out so take your shoes off and enjoy. 

My typical race-day nutrition (self-supported)

I'm a 50 year old 80-85kg male, and a typical day’s running for me was 7-8 hours.

On waking, about two hours before the start, I’d take CurraNZ in first with some electrolyte carbohydrate mix (Pure Sports Nutrition), a cup of coffee (coffee bags are a must) and start rehydrating a breakfast  (Real Meals or Radix) while attending to the admin/race prep.

I typically carry, depending on race requirements, 2 x 750ml plastic hard bottles, and 1-2x 750ml soft flasks. One hard bottle is for carbohydrate/electrolyte mix and carried in a front pack pocket, and the other is for mixing recovery shakes, extra water if stage requires (carried in back pocket with back up soft flask). The other soft flask is carried in a front as well and contains plain water.

I typically consume 750mls of the carb/electrolyte race mix and 750mls of water per-stage, roughly 10km, depending on the terrain and speed. If the stage is longer, or if it’s hotter, I will often fill up both reserve bottles and use one for cooling and the other for mixing more carbohydrate drink. I set my watch to notify me every kilometre to remind me to drink. 

I consume extra fuel every 45-60mins - for me that’s a sachet of Manuka Performance liquid fuel, or half a SIS Beta Fuel or a couple strips of dried mango.

These are only rough guides - if I’m feeling good, I will consume more, and time of day/heat levels affect fluid intake. I don’t stop for midday meal but consume some kind of energy/protein bar if I can tolerate it.

Immediately at the end of each stage I will drink another 750mls of electrolyte mix, sort out my kit and sleeping area and then attend to my feet while drinking a recovery shake (warning - the bottle used for shakes may smell after a week, hence why it’s the emergency bottle!). This is followed by a Cup Of Soup or miso and then some 2-Minute Noodles.

I time the dosage of my recovery CurraNZ (3 capsules) depending on the last dose I took while running - ie aim for 5hrs between doses. Later in the evening I will try and have a rehydrated meal if my stomach allows.

Tips and tricks

•   If thirsty, drink and keep hydrating slowly at the end of the day, you rehydrate better once you have finished running.

•   Aim to pee at least a couple times before bed.

•   Have a backup meal plan. For me that’s the 2-Minute Noodles and soup. I know if I’m too nauseous to eat a rehydrated meal (happens to me quite a bit), I can at least consume those calories.

•   Carry a daily treat or snack to break up the monotony. Biltong or beef jerky, sweets, crushed chips or dried fruit, something to cheer you up. Dried mango saved my bacon in one race last year.

•   Carry toilet paper, wet wipes, alcohol gel and some Imodium just in case (we’ve all been there).

•   Don’t forget to look around and take photos, remember that battery bank and cables to charge your watch and camera/phone. And do remember to enjoy yourself and get in some line dancing practice before hand, just in case.

If you are running the Grand to Grand don't forget your special offer of 50% off CurraNZ for all race participants.