Meet the team behind Run Wellington
Amanda
Brent
Chan
Dena
Emma
Orsi
Amanda
- What was the first running event you entered and when/where was it?
It was a 5km ‘fun run’ in March 2012. It started from a bar in Miramar went out and back around the bays. I really struggled to run the whole way, and I stopped at the half way point to catch my breath. I didn’t have any proper running gear at the time just an old T-shirt and some retro Adidas shorts from the 70’s. I was so proud of myself for finishing that run, what a feeling!
- What would you do if you could not run anymore?
If I couldn’t run I would cycle, anything that enables me to be outside and moving freely wearing fluoro tights would be the first choice.
- Who is your running idol?
I really admire Gabby O’Rourke, she’s a local Wellingtonian who runs with the Wellington Harriers club. If she isn’t running she’s on the side-line offering support and advice. She has been running for years, she has an incredible work ethic, is smart about her training and passionate about the sport. There are a lot of fantastic runners right here in Wellington, we’re very lucky here.
- What would you tell a non-running friend to get them into running?
That if they made me pick them or running I would pick running, so to prepare for the day when inevitably I pass you over in favour of a two hour run, start training and just come along with me.
- If you ran out of water while running on a very hot day and got thirsty would you drink water out of a bottle you find on the side of the trail?
Unless it was a urine sample jar I would probably drink from it. I’ve been so thirsty at times on a run that a dog bowl has looked appetising. I don’t carry water with me unless I’m doing a very long trail run, I carry as little as possible.
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Brent
- What was the first running event you entered and when/where was it?
8 years old, Linton Army Camp School Cross Country, I came second to Ian Rolleston, who only bet me due to me wearing gumboots and he in bare feet.
- If you could not run anymore what would you do?
I’d retire to a far away cabin where I couldn’t be jealous of all those that still can run.
- Who is your running idol?
No particular person, I idol all those who push themselves outside of their comfort zone.
- What would you tell a non-running friend to get them into running?
The hardest part is putting on your shoes and getting out the door.
- If you ran out of water while running on a very hot day and got thirsty, would you drink water out of a bottle you find on the side of the trail?
Depends on the colour of the water in the bottle.
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Chan
- What was the first running event you entered and when/where was it?
Well that would be way back in 1992 when I was in secondary school and I was selected to run 400 meters in the secondary schools championships.
- If you could not run anymore what would you do?
If I could still walk, I would do a lot more hiking and cycling. If I was completely immobile – hmm don’t know, I’ll cross that bridge if I come to that.
- Who is your running idol?
Back when I was at school, it used to be Carl Lewis – he was a remarkable athlete who was unbeatable in his prime and setting numerous records at Olympic and World Champs. Nowadays I’m a great fan of Jonathan Wyatt and Eliud Kipchoge.
- What would you tell a non-running friend to get them into running?
I don’t have many non-running friends, however, I like to encourage people to be active regardless of whether they want to run or do some other activity. I guess I’d tell them that if they run they can have as much cake as they want.
- If you ran out of water while running on a very hot day and got thirsty, would you drink water out of a bottle you find on the side of the trail?
Yup, of course and I have done that! But I’ll check to see the contents first.
I hardly carry anything when I go running, unless it’s an event where they make you carry stuff. I can manage about two hours on my feet without any water regardless of the weather. I’ve had some bad days and some good days with this but it’s always a judgement call based on where I go running.
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Dena
- What was the first running event you entered and when/where was it?
The first running event I did was MJ’s Dash for Cash at Makara Peak in 2012. I hadn’t run since High School (and not much even then), but my then-recent boyfriend convinced me to do the running leg of an off-road duathlon. The event was a fundraiser for a friend to go the world mountain running champs. As you can imagine I almost died running up Makara Peak, but something must have appealed! I ran my first solo event a few months later (the Pelorus Trust Half in Petone / Lower Hutt).
- What would you do if you could not run anymore?
If I couldn’t run I’d spend more time climbing rocks, riding my bikes, snowboarding and walking in the mountains. Anything that gets me into outdoors to beautiful places helps to keep me sane.
- Who is your running idol?
Anna Frost.
- What would you tell a non-running friend to get them into running?
Running lets you see beautiful places, meet great people, and help justify the craft beer and food you’ll eat later… (The last one is important for Wellingtonians!)
- If you ran out of water while running on a very hot day and got thirsty would you drink water out of a bottle you find on the side of the trail?
If it met the sniff test!
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Emma
- What was the first running event you entered and when/where was it?
It was a half marathon in Bristol (UK), in 2010.
- If you could not run anymore what would you do?
Forever? I work to make my running maintainable first. I’m going to be running when I’m 80. I think about what that means in the short term to look after the long term. If I truly couldn’t run anymore I’d find something to continue (some of) the adventures and friendships I’ve found through running. Perhaps an injured ex-runners adventure group where we’d train SPCA dogs to be rehomed, and on familiar Mt Vic trails.
- Who’s your running idol?
Emelie Forsberg, a Swedish trail / ultra / mountain runner. She is propelled forward by joy and loves what she does. I followed with admiration her recovery from knee surgery. She didn’t run for months, keeping resilient and optimistic throughout.
- What would you tell a non running friend to get them into running?
That running has taken me places I wouldn’t have otherwise been – sometimes literally, physically, in running through empty streets or scaling hilltops or under bridges. I used to be able to run for 20 seconds. I saw a spark of possibility. I kept going. We don’t see the journey that people have been on. Many more things are possible that what we might presently think.
- If you ran out of water while running on a very hot day and got thirsty would you drink water out of a bottle you find on the side of the trail?
No. It would depend on how thirsty and desperate I was. I might, however, glug down some handfuls of water from a tap outside someones house. (Not that I’ve ever done that, ever, nor do I know of the best accessible taps along my favourite run routes).
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Orsi
- What was the first running event you entered and when/where was it?
I was in primary school and it was in my home town back in Hungary. Each participant was promised a free T-shirt, which sounded like a huge thing in the 90’s post-communist era, so pretty much the whole town must have been out there. 5k seemed like a long way, so we deliberately decided to walk, but then everyone wore their shirts for PE class for years on. The first event I actually ran was a women’s 10k in Budapest in 1998. They gave us a medal in addition to the free T-shirt, so I was immediately hooked.
- If you could not run anymore what would you do?
I would probably knit and cycle more.
- Who is your running idol?
It used to be my dad as I used to think he was incredibly fast. By now I’ve beaten his PBs and I’m usually jealous of anyone who can run more and faster than me.
- What would you tell a non-running friend to get them into running?
If the non-running friend is a Spaniard, I’d say there are heaps of hot guys/girls among runners. If not, I’d probably tell them they can make lots of friends.
- If you ran out of water while running on a very hot day and got thirsty, would you drink water out of a bottle you find on the side of the trail?
Probably not, somebody might have peed in it. If I go for a longer run I always carry water, unless I know for sure that there are water taps on the way. Or better, I have somebody carry it for me.
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runwellington 