Ultra-Distance World Record attempt in Auckland

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Auckland, New Zealand

Ultra-Distance World Record attempt in Auckland

Ultra-Distance runner to attempt 500 kilometres without sleep

New Zealand ultra -distance runner, Kim Allan, will attempt a women's World Record-breaking run this December.

The 47 year-old former jockey, will run a circuit in the Auckland Domain without sleep, aiming to cover 500 kilometres.

The "Sleepless In Auckland” run is expected to take somewhere between 80 and 85 hours and will take place between December 19 and 23 this year.

Kim's run will also raise funds for the New Zealand Spinal Trust, a registered charity which supports Kiwis with spinal cord impairments (from accident or illness) to get back on track and living life to the full.

CEO of the New Zealand Spinal Trust, Ben Lucas, said Kim's offer to raise funds came after she learned that Claire Donachie, who was a fellow jockey, sustained a spinal injury after falling from a horse. They have since become friends.
“Kim made her first attempt at the women’s record last year and got to over 370 kilometres before she had to withdraw because her body could not go any further without sleep. She was also running with severe blisters,” said Mr Lucas.

“This year we have made contact with the London Office of the Guinness Book of World Records to register Kim's run as an official world record attempt. We’re expecting advice on the terms and conditions required to achieve this status in the next few weeks.”

The women's record is presently held by U.S. runner Pam Reed, who ran 486 km in 2005 in just over 80 hours.

Runners invited
Ben Lucas said runners will be invited to provide support for Kim during her 80-plus hours, and at the same time they’ll raise funds for the NZ Spinal Trust.
“We expect she will have no shortage of company judging by interest last year,” he said.
“Many of the runners will be asking for some kind of memento to record that they supported Kim in her run, so we are working on those options now,” he said

ENDS

Kim Allan Background

Kim Allan (47) is a single mother of four and lives in Tuakau, 40 kms south of central Auckland

She left school at age 15 to become and apprentice jockey. During her career she experienced a few injuries, including a fractured skull and more recently a broken leg which left her with a slight limp.

She took medical advice to walk extensively to overcome the limp and in February 2010 entered the local Pukekohe half marathon. From there she graduated to walking a section of The Great Lake 100km Circumnavigation. This is held around Lake Taupo in New Zealand's central North Island. The following year she walked it solo in 13 hours.

Her first 24 hour races was also in 2011, running the Sri Chimnoy circuit in the Auckland Domain, part of which will form the circuit for this year's World Record attempt. She ran the same 24 hour event in 2012, covering over 187 kms in the time.

This year she completed the Steenbergen World Championship 24 hour run, covering 204 kms and finishing 133th overall and the 39th female.

ENDS

About the New Zealand Spinal Trust

The New Zealand Spinal Trust is a registered charity providing information, education, research, advocacy and support for people who have a Spinal Cord Impairment (SCI), so that they may enjoy independence.

Its Philosophy - It’s great to be alive!
Its Vision - A world where human diversity is valued.
Its Mission - Better rehabilitation and independent living.

The New Zealand Spinal Trust was formed in 1994 to address issues around rehabilitation, information, research, advocacy and support for people with Spinal Cord Impairments (SCIs) throughout New Zealand.

The Trust works in collaboration with a number of entities, including health boards, ACC and the Ministry of Health to provide the resources required for people to take control of their own rehabilitation and therefore their lives.

The New Zealand Spinal Trust is firmly focused on supporting independent living and improving the quality of rehabilitation through initiatives, projects and programmes that directly benefit people with spinal cord impairments.

What we have achieved
Over the years, the New Zealand Spinal Trust has grown to be a formidable force in advancing rehabilitation and independent living for people with spinal cord impairments
• We initiated and runs Kaleidoscope, an early intervention vocational rehabilitation programme dedicated to getting people with SCI into great jobs that they love. Kaleidoscope is now operating at both of New Zealand's Spinal Units and is also available to people with SCIs in other centres throughout New Zealand.
• We publish the universally acclaimed Back on Track and Headspace handbooks for people with spinal and brain injuries as well as the interactive Back on Track CD-ROM and DVD. These are now being used in many parts of the world.
• We link people through our Spinal Network and keeps them in touch with developments and news through our quarterly newsletter, Spinal Network News,
• We founded BAIL, the Burwood Academy of Independent Living, which supports active rehabilitation research by funding graduate scholars and research students, and through collaboration with health organisations. BAIL is now its own stand-alone entity
• We are a leading advocate for a National Spinal Cord Service
• We lead the construction and fit-out of the Allan Bean Centre for Research and Learning in Rehabilitation
• We initiated and run the Useful People Programme, a volunteer network
• We initiated and run the Allan Bean Centre Library, a resource for education, research and contact.
To achieve this, and continue to provide services and support for people with Spinal Cord Impairments, the NZ Spinal Trust works in collaboration with a number of different agencies and organisations throughout the country. It is this collaboration, and the support of the community, donors and sponsors, that makes the Trust's work possible.

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