Oh what a day – Huge fun and everything I wanted/dreamed of. We had a great night at the Clipper Court Motel in Orewa and we had a group to meet at 8.30. A great day with the sun out for a start anyway. 10 people had come out to run the 37kms down to Devonport with us, in there was family, bruce who had run NZ before himself and Ang who had had a stroke herself but is getting back to her best with a lot of hard work.
Lots of ups and downs and everyone as keen and happy as I was, they set a good pace and if I didn’t throw in my rest stops we would have been done real early.
Bev and her boys here giving amazing support along the road at heaps of different points. Love it so much.
We came over the hill and there it was the skytower and I got that feeling that I have had so much over the whole run. Happiness and a sense of achievement.
As we ran through town the Redbull girls stopped and I had to get a shot together, would have been rude otherwise wouldn’t it. Might have to keep running if this is going to happen. haha
As we headed down to Stanley Bay in Devonport right on time I started to think wow I am so close now and started getting real excited. My awesome group of runners including Kalani who is only 8 but ran 15kms with us and didn’t even break a sweat. He was giving his dad a hard time the whole way which was awesome. Thank you all so so much for making my last day so much fun, loved getting to know you all and running together.
Then came something different, I didn’t want to just run the harbour bridge and get there so I had organized with Jacqui from New Balance to get a couple of kayaks. Her man Bryce was with me and Paul came along just in case. Wind was up a bit and waves were a plenty which just added to the fun, I had a great time. We paddled for about 30 mins up and then surfed the waves down and into the Viaduct Basin. So so much fun, will be adding kayaking into my next adventure that’s for sure.
We had Matt from Close Up there doing a bit of filming which was fun and with Nick and Nicola there to welcome me into Auckl and I couldn’t have been more happy. Dad and all the family had come just to make this day that much more amazing.
The team from New Balance were here and had helped get the finish all set up, can’t thank you enough for every little thing you helped with. Awesome sponsor to have and great gear to run in. I was so lucky. 2930kms and no blisters, that’s a good shoe.
As we headed off for the last 5km loop along the waterfront of Auckl and with a great group of around 40 people I was starting to get a bit sad and happy at the same time. Lots of feelings building up inside and it is these feelings that have helped me get this far. Pure happiness!!!!
My bro Hoki here with his daughter Nikita running beside and mum Lyn behind trying her best to keep up.
We had been stopping traffic all day and even with the ugly toots that sometimes come I just smiled and waved and thought – hey this is our moment so sorry but you can wait a mo please.
Our smiles and positive feelings kept the rain from coming too hard and we had a great 5kms. Coming back over the overbridge I could now see the finish line which I had been thinking of for the last year. I was almost there and damn it was an unbelievable feeling that I will have forever. Still trying to get more people involved we got some students to join us which was great.
Me, Nick, Nicola and dad here which is everything I had dreamed of to have at the end, so you can imagine my feeling at this point.
Along the way I have met some amazing people, strong and with ‘that never give up’ mind power. Thonia & Toni have both had bad strokes but were there to walk with me for the last 300m. We crossed the line h and in h and and with smiles on our faces, the only way to do it I think.That was a moment that I hope we can all take home, we had all run NZ for the Stroke Foundation together. I have loved being the person who was lucky enough to be the runner for such an amazing adventure.
Trying not to cry as I can’t speak when I do, I had so many people to thank for all the amazing support we had had along the way. So many people from out of Auckl and had come to cheer us in, family, sponsors, friends, tourists were all there.
Nick and Nicola here which was the most special thing, I have made a couple of life time friends in them. Thank you for all your support and love the whole time, I’ll get the next adventure sorted Nick so I can keep the blog going for ya bro.
Have a look at all these people, tell me that isn’t special. That is a smile that I will have a hard time beating. Thank you!!
We went down to the Lenin Bar where Adian the owner had welcomed us and donated $500 on the bar for everyone. Amazing support that I really can’t thank you enough for. Great place, food and staff were super friendly, go check them out next sunny arvo.
We had a great meal at Monsoon Poon, thank you for looking after our big group, great food.
Josh and his bro and dad here who had been amazing in helping us on the harbour with a boat so rick could film us and driving our van this week, you guys rock. Josh it has been a great trip and you made it something special, thank you.
I dedicated today to Euan’s dad, he had a Stroke yesterday. Euan sponsored us with our Guardian van. When I heard about your dad bro I was in shock, I just can’t believe how many people we have met along the way that have had strokes during our run time. It just shows you how important to get the word out about strokes. Awareness and knowing the signs could help save your family or friend’s life. All our love goes to your dad Euan. Thank you for joining us when you had this going on. Love to your family from Running NZ Jup and Rick. xx
I know that I will be on a high for a while and hope that I can live this feeling for ages. A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD ANYTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH THIS RUN, EVEN IF YOU JUST HEARD ABOUT IT AND TALKED TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT.
WE DID SOMETHING SPECIAL HERE TOGETHER. YAHOO !!!!
Today’s Route – Zoom out to see where I ran…
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Day 67 – Orewa to Auckl and!!!! NZ run finish
