“Six months to train for a 62km trail run!? A workmate challenged me to run The WUU2k in 2019. I had never run before.
During the WUU2K event I actually met and ran 10km with an amazing runner Nat Waugh, who’s been on this project… before she sped off up the next climb. Then I met Mark Drew and Catherine at around 25km. To this day, I’m still not sure if speaking to them was a good idea [laughs]. They then introduced me to the elite Benjamin Cornelius. And then there’s my pacer, Hannah Leech who helped me over the line – and I’m forever thankful for that!
But in all seriousness, I have met some of the most amazing and friendly people through this sport. Now we run together in the most obnoxiously colourful clothing we can and people don’t stop smiling.
I run because the community is incredibly welcoming. And I run because it sets me free.“
Simon @simon_lawson
(Wellington)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
