Welcome to RunnersNZ
Where Every runner has a story.
Whether you’re training for your first 5km, chasing a personal best, exploring trails, volunteering at events, or simply enjoying the feeling of getting outside and moving — you belong here.
RunnersNZ celebrates New Zealand’s running community, one story at a time.
Since 2019, we’ve been travelling New Zealand, meeting runners and sharing the stories that make our community special. As the project grew we discovered so many reasons ‘why’. Running means something different to every individual, and behind every runner, is their story. Running is so much more than distance and finish times. It’s about purpose, belonging, resilience, and the quiet discovery of who we become along the way.
Quick Links:
Subscribe to RunnersNZ Substack
What You’ll Find at RunnersNZ
Inspiring Runner Stories
The heart of RunnersNZ.
Every Tuesday, we share a new story from a runner somewhere in New Zealand.
You’ll meet people from all corners of the running community — from those taking their first steps into running, to experienced athletes who have spent years chasing new challenges.
Stories of motivation, resilience, friendship, adventure and everything in between.
Every runner has a reason.
Video Interviews
Meet the people behind the miles.
Through relaxed conversations and genuine storytelling, runners share their journeys, challenges, favourite moments and the reasons they keep showing up.
No scripts.
No rehearsals.
Just genuine stories that answers the one simple question:
Why do you run?
Meetups
One of the best parts of RunnersNZ has been meeting people in person.
Throughout the year we’ll visit events and communities around New Zealand to meet runners, record interviews and share their stories.
Come for a run.
Meet new people.
Share the experience.
And if you see me and my camera, come and say hello. You might be the next person I ask:
Why do you run?
Community & Event Photography
Authentic scenes from iconic New Zealand events, community club nights, challenges, adventures and parkruns.
Not just finish line photos, but moments worth remembering.
The nervous excitement before the start.
The encouragement from strangers.
The celebrations with friends.
The determination through difficult moments.
RunnersNZ captures the people, emotions and experiences that make New Zealand’s running community and its events so special.
Where would you like to start?
Explore the Story Collection
Every runner has a story.
Search hundreds of interviews from runners across New Zealand by region, event, topic or the reason they run.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, stories from your local community, or simply want to lose yourself in the incredible journeys of New Zealand runners, the archive is where to begin.
Want to share your story?
We’d love to tell your story.
You don’t need to be the fastest or run the furthest.
You might run everyday. Or you might run every so often.
There is no right age, right place, or right way to run.
If you run, you are a runner! And every runner has a reason.
Some reasons are joyful.
Some are deeply personal.
And some change over time.
But every one of them matters.
RunnersNZ exists to capture those stories. And whatever your story, if running has had an impact on your life, we’d love to hear about it.
I’m a Club or Event Organiser
Running events are about more than start lines and finish times.
They’re about the people who make them happen.
RunnersNZ partners with clubs and event organisers to capture the stories, atmosphere and community that make every event unique through authentic photography, interviews and storytelling.
A limited number of documentary projects are also available each year, following an ultramarathon or backyard ultra athlete throughout their race experience with photography and short-form video content.
If you’d like RunnersNZ to be part of your next event, we’d love to hear from you.
Brand & Partnership Opportunities
If your organisation shares our passion for growing and celebrating New Zealand’s running community, we’d love to explore ways we can work together.
Whether it’s storytelling, photography, community campaigns or long-term partnerships, we’re always interested in collaborating with brands that genuinely support runners.
How Does a RunnersNZ Story Work?
All of our stories are a result of an in-person connection and one of the questions we hear most is:
“What happens during a RunnersNZ interview?”
The answer is simple.
We go for a walk or find a quiet spot. We have a relaxed conversation, capture a few photographs and some video. And that’s it.
There are no tricky questions, no pressure, and no scripts. Most meetings take around 20–30 minutes and feel more like chatting with another runner than being interviewed.
And always finish by asking every single runner one simple question:
“Why do you run?”
The answers are always different.
And they’re always worth hearing.
Stay Connected
The easiest way to follow RunnersNZ is by subscribing to the Substack community.
Every Tuesday, receive a new runner’s story delivered to your inbox, along with occasional event coverage, meetups and special features from around New Zealand.
No noise. No algorithms. Just stories from the people who make running special.
Follow RunnersNZ on Social Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you ask everyone the same question?
Because every runner has a different answer.
By asking everyone, “Why do you run?”, each story becomes part of a growing collection that celebrates the many reasons people run. It’s a simple question, but the answers are often deeply personal, surprising and inspiring.
Who can be featured by RunnersNZ?
Anyone. Any runner. Past or present.
You don’t need to be fast, famous or have an extraordinary running résumé.
Whether you’re training for your first 5km, a runner with a disability, a volunteer at your local event, leading a running club or preparing for your next ultramarathon, your story matters.
Can I nominate someone to be featured?
Absolutely.
Some of the best stories come from friends, family members, club mates or event organisers who think they should be featured on RunnersNZ..
If you know a runner with a story worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you.
How are runners chosen?
There isn’t a formula.
Sometimes we meet someone at an event.
Sometimes someone is nominated.
Sometimes a conversation begins on a run, over a coffee or on an Instagram chat..
RunnersNZ aims to reflect the diversity of New Zealand’s running community, so every story brings a different perspective.
Are the interviews free?
Yes. There is no cost to be interviewed or featured by RunnersNZ.
Our goal is simply to celebrate the people who make New Zealand’s running community special.
How can I support RunnersNZ?
The biggest way you can help is simply by sharing the stories.
If a runner’s story inspires you, share it with a friend, your running club or on social media. Every share helps introduce more people to the incredible stories within New Zealand’s running community.
You can also support RunnersNZ by:
- Following us on social media.
- Subscribing on Substack to receive a new story every week.
- Introducing us to your running club or event.
- Nominating someone whose story deserves to be told.
- Simply saying hello when you see us at an event.
Every conversation, every recommendation and every shared story helps RunnersNZ reach another runner. And we thank you for being part of the journey and the RunnersNZ community.
A Final Thought
Running has a remarkable way of bringing people together. It starts with a pair of shoes, but it quickly becomes something much bigger.
Friendships.
Confidence.
Adventure.
Fresh air.
Shared start lines. Celebrated finish lines.
Early mornings. Crazy weather.
Coffee or a beer afterwards.
The stories we tell ourselves.
And the stories we share with others.
That’s what RunnersNZ is really about. Not just documenting running in New Zealand. But celebrating the people who make it extraordinary.
Twenty years from now, the finish times will still exist. But we hope something even more meaningful will exist too.
A collection of stories.
Thousands of photographs.
Conversations.
Connections.
Purpose.
A record of the people who shaped New Zealand’s running community and changed their life. One step at a time.
That’s the journey we’re on. And we’d love for you to be part of it.
Welcome to RunnersNZ.
We’re glad you’re here.
