“I run because I can. It’s hard to put my finger on why I run exactly. It’s about freedom, escape, pushing myself and having some incredible adventures and experiences along the way.
I started running in high school, training for my first triathlon. I finished 121st out of 125 in a borrowed a wetsuit where I had to push my bike up a hill and ran in basketball boots. Fast forward three decades and I have raced for NZ in the long-course triathlon world championships and finished the Hawaii Ironman in Kona.
I have also run over 50 marathons, 20 ultra’s, and had 5 DNF’s (Did Not Finish). And along the way I have needed two bags of IV fluid after losing 7kg in a race, received multiple blisters, and terrible chafing that has left me crying in the shower. But most importantly, I have met some absolutely amazing people and had some life-changing experiences that I will hold onto forever.
Now I am very lucky to be part of an amazing run crew where we are not defined by our time or placing, but by how much fun we have, how much colour and energy we can bring, and the support we give each other, both out on the course and in life.
Simply, do what makes you happy!”
Ben @bensofftrailadventures
(Wellington)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
