This 12-12-12 challenge was no joke
What started as a joke between friends is now a reality for Felicity Thomas, back in New Zealand to finish the last of 12 runs, in 12 countries, in 12 months.
‘‘People say: why, why do you do it? And I say – it’s there to be done,’’ Thomas said.
‘‘Someone made these crazy races, so it’s all about seeing how far you can push yourself.’’
The 25-year-old PhD engineering student at Canterbury University completed her last run, the 80-kilometre Great Naseby Water Race ultra-marathon in Otago, over the weekend.
‘‘I like to do races that scare me or that sound really exciting. It got really ridiculous, especially the last six months where the races were getting longer and harder.’’
Thomas was fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis NZ after her ‘‘oldest and dearest’’ friend’s mother was diagnosed with the degenerative disease.
‘‘Seeing first hand the effects MS has had on her family and what she’s having to battle with every single day has really hit home,’’ Thomas said.
Thomas had set up a Givealittle page for her fundraising efforts.
A stack of racing memorabilia including bibs, medals and a cow bell lay in front of Thomas when asked what her biggest challenge was over the past year.
‘‘Easily the three-day stage race in Portugal where I ran 117 kilometres with 7000 metres of vertical ascent.
‘‘It was an amazing experience but also the hardest thing I’ve ever done – it was soul-destroying.’’
She also ran in Iceland, the Netherlands, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Scotland, Belgium, England, Crete and France.
‘‘I won a race in Crete, which was really cool.
‘‘It was up the tallest mountain in Crete, 2600m, to the birthplace of Zeus, which was rad.’’
The steep climb and descent ‘‘played to my strengths’’, Thomas said, her specialty being climbing and running downhill fast.
‘‘The heat didn’t play to my strengths though . . . it was so hot, around 35 degrees Celsius.’’
She said the most fun run was in Poland, where 5000 people ran a half-marathon dressed as Santa Claus.
‘‘They gave you the hat and everything, running through this little medieval town in Poland in the middle of winter – little kids were out lining the street, highfiving and I think it’s the coolest thing ever.’’
Thomas said she would ‘‘try and get as much money as possible’’ for her chosen cause.
Multiple Sclerosis NZ national manager Amanda Keefe said they were ‘‘extremely honoured that Felicity had taken on this mammoth challenge’’.
‘‘Fundraisers like Felicity not only help us raise vital funds to continue our work but also help to raise awareness for MS,’’ Keefe said, ahead of MS Awareness Week which kicked off today.
Aside from ‘‘a small amount of government funding’’, Keefe said they relied on ‘‘the generosity of donors’’ as the main source of income.