Kim Allan hopes national support aids World Record attempt

December 18, 2013

Kim Allan hoping national support will keep her focused in World Record attempt

Kim Allan says she is looking forward to the company of support runners at the start of her estimated 85 hour run in Auckland Domain starting at 6 am tomorrow(Thursday, December 19).

She recently served the same role in Australia for a fellow ultra-distance runner and says the encouragement of other runners is important at all stages.

Kim says she has just kept to her normal routine but with plenty of rest and relaxation in the final 24 hours before the start.

"I'm not going to try for any extra sleep because I just can't sleep if I go to bed earlier," she said. "But I'm keeping off my feet as much as I can."

While Kim is attempting the women’s ultra-distance without sleep world record in Auckland Domain, most New Zealanders will enjoy three normal sleeps in the same period.

She plans to arrive at the Domain at 5am tomorrow morning with her support crew, and begin the first of her targeted 332 laps at 6am sharp. She aims to achieve her target of 500kms in about 85 hours, late on Sunday.

The 47 year-old Tuakau mother of four is attempting to break the record held by U.S Runner Pam Reed who ran 486 km in 2005 in just over 80 hours.

Kim is inviting people to run with her in the Domain - or wherever they are in NZ - and at the same time raise funds for the New Zealand Spinal Trust.

Fundraising
The NZ Spinal Trust is 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. People are encouraged to ‘Run with Kim’ along their own street, or on a treadmill at their local gym, or while taking their dog through the park and direct people to Kim’s fundraising page via Facebook posts and Twitter.

One of the people who motivated Kim to sponsor the Trust is a member of her support crew, Claire Donachie. Claire was thrown from a horse last year and now uses a wheelchair.

Kim was once a professional jockey and suffered a severe leg break which indirectly lead to her taking up ultra distance running as part of her own rehabilitation.

“I’m not a saint or anything, I’m simply in a position to do something to raise money for others. I’m hoping by doing something really different that people will be inspired to donate to a great cause”

People can join Team ‘Run with Kim’ at: https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/team-sleepless-in-auckland

People can sign up, support or donate at: https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/sleepless-in-auckland-world-record-attempt-1

Follow Kim’s story on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ultrarunner.nz

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 The Great Lake Solo 100km race. This is held near Lake Taupo in New Zealand's central North Island. The following year she walked it solo in 13 hours.

Her first 24 hour race was also in 2011, running the Sri Chimnoy race at Sovereign Stadium on Auckland's North Shore. She ran the same 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 39thfemale.

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 andHeadspace 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.

ENDS

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