“Ahoj! I’m Lukáš, and if you’d told me six years ago I’d be a runner, I would have laughed.
To be totally honest, I never actually liked running. When I first started in the Czech Republic during the Covid lockdowns, it was a genuine struggle. I began on the hard pavement of the city streets just to build my physique, but I hated every kilometre of it – until I discovered the trails and running in woods.
Moving from the asphalt to the forest trails changed everything for me. The trees became my gym and the dirt became my path. Since then, running has turned into my favourite way of exploring – and not just my neighbourhood, but the entire WORLD. Wherever I travel, I use my shoes to get as local as possible.
Then I came to New Zealand, and Aotearoa threw the ultimate challenge my way: the hills. I was never a fan of running uphill, but the mountains here don’t really give you a choice! Whether I’m gasping for air on a steep climb or navigating technical roots, I’ve found my stride alongside the amazing Kiwi running community. No matter how brutal the trail gets, there’s always a local nearby to ‘no worries’ their way through the challenge. Their grit and positivity helped me see exactly what my body is truly capable of.
Now, my running shoes are getting completely out of control… but I’m sure every runner can relate to that obsession!”
Lukáš @lukas_vavra
(temp. Fiordland)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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