Trail run tests heart and sole
It took six pairs of shoes, 615 hours of running, and 50 days, but George Henderson broke the Te Araroa Trail record.
The Wellington-based runner managed to beat the previous record by around 31⁄2 days, but he’s just happy he finished before he ran out of leave, he said.
Henderson completed his run in 49 days, 14 hours and 26 minutes. The previous record – set by Briton Jez Bragg in 2013 – was 53 days, nine hours and one minute.
Henderson reckoned his
special background made him particularly adept at adventure running.
When he isn’t navigating tricky terrain and questionable weather on the ground, he’s making cool-headed decisions in the sky as an Air New Zealand pilot.
‘‘Both things are about assessing risks and managing situations,’’ he said.
Having been a recreational runner since his teens, the 31-year-old started competing in ultramarathons a few years ago – simply because he loved to run.
He became inspired by the idea of running the Te Araroa Trail in around March last year and it became his sole focus.
‘‘I’m drawn to the challenge and adventure of testing myself,’’ he said.
Henderson trained by running on varying terrain six days a week, but said it was the mental preparation that helped him most.
His dad, Kevin, said it was amazing watching his son stick to the plan, day after day, despite the long days, lack of sleep and unexpected problems.
Henderson senior was responsible for planning the practical details of the journey.
‘‘Dad was excited, he’s in his element,’’ Henderson said, adding that his mum wasn’t quite so thrilled with his mission.
‘‘My mum was worried about the mental and the physical toll.’’
In the end, they made the journey together with mum and dad acting as Henderson’s support crew.
‘‘They have a motorhome, so I didn’t ask, it just happened,’’ he joked.
An added advantage was his mum’s cooking every night – which meant Henderson lost only 3kg.
While there were days with beautiful sights – such as the view from Stag Saddle – and great people, there were also challenges including a crook knee that needed physiotherapy, a detour that added an extra 20km to the journey, and the overgrown tracks of Southland that slowed him down.
‘‘Sometimes the highlight was just finishing the day and seeing the motorhome,’’ he said.
Henderson’s main concern when he set off from Cape Reinga in December was the funds he hoped to raise for the Wellington City Mission.
He’s pleased to have raised $16,450 for the organisation so far, almost doubling his initial goal.
‘‘The fundraising is more significant than the record,’’ he said.
After 50 days of running an average of 60km over 12 to 14 hours, Henderson said he’s relieved to be finished.
‘‘It’s kind of weird doing nothing but it’s a buzz knowing what I’ve accomplished,’’ he said.
All that’s left now is for his record to be verified using GPS data.
Henderson isn’t planning another adventure like this any time soon, but said the memories of his Te Araroa run will last a lifetime.
‘‘It’s given me a new sense of what’s possible,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m drawn to the challenge and adventure of testing myself.’’ George Henderson