Wilderness Runner Finishes Te Araroa Trail

Wilderness Runner Finishes Te Araroa Trail
Averaging almost 50k a day of treacherous terrain on 3054km Te Araroa trail

Wilderness Run for Project Crimson
Adventure runner Richard Bowles (34yo,, from Australia) has just become the first runner to complete the 3054km Te Araroa Trail, which spans the length of New Zealand from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south. Just after midday Richard was officially welcomed into Bluff by Invergargill Mayor, Tim Shadbolt.

Since starting on Saturday 13 October, Richard has run an average of almost 50km per day, and experienced physical and emotional highs to the extreme. As he ran the final 32km from Invercargill to Bluff along a busy highway in the pouring rain with trucks flying past him he looked just as determined as he did when he set out 2 months ago.

Despite knee deep mud, treacherous mountain passes and overgrown trails, Richard has fallen in love with the beauty of New Zealand, “It’s absolutely stunning, every day is another bit of paradise!”. Richard is in awe of New Zealands natural beauty, but is also aware of its danger, having taken several decent tumbles down steep mountain sections, crossing fast flowing rivers, and chancing it in avalanche prone regions.

Combining a passion for adventure, a love for running, and a determination to make a positive contribution to the places through which he runs, Richard is raising funds and awareness for Project Crimson, a leading conservation organisation, who have made impressive progress re-establishing pohutukawa and rata nationwide by planting trees, coordinating and supporting a wide range of maintenance activities, scientific research, possum control programmes and public education.

Many people have run the length of New Zealand on relatively flat terrain and at a total distance of just 2,200km. Richard will run another 50% on top of this distance and on rugged, mountainous terrain. Richard says, “The trail less travelled offers the best adventures, and I’m all about challenging myself on a daily basis”.

During 2012 Richard became the first person to run the world’s longest marked trail, the rough and remote National Trail of Australia, raising awareness and funds for mental health organisation SANE Australia along the way.

In just 5.5 months Richard ran the equivalent of 127 marathons, and traversed the treacherous dividing range mountains from Melbourne to Cooktown, earning the reputation as a hybrid of Bear Grylls and Forrest Gump.

The Te Araroa typically takes hikers 100 days or more to complete. The trail offers people from all walks of life the ability to experiences some of the most magnificent aspects of New Zealands natural beauty and in turn educates people about the importance of conserving the natural environment.

--

BACKGROUND
Richard Bowles has many years experience in the discipline of distance running and regularly runs 200km weekly on trails around Melbourne. He is the first person to ever run the worlds longest marked trail, and is the Australian Record holder of the 2010 Tenzing Hillary Mt Everest Marathon; Winner of the 2011 Tasmanian 3 Peaks Challenge (sailing and mountain running event)and Record Holder of the Wilsons Prom Ultra Marathon 2010.
For more info go to www.richardbowles.com.au
Richard is fundraising for Project Crimson, donations can be made here http://www.givealittle.co.nz/org/projectcrimson

Te Araroa trail website: www.teararoa.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media