I have a new addiction and I suspect I'm not alone. Let me know if you too find yourself 'just checking in', 'seeing how far she got today', 'has she past X town now?' Well even though I'm a regular visitor to the Where's Wally tracker, I still find myself surprised as anything to see how fast that little B.T icon is moving down the country ever since she hit the South Island.
I was lucky enough to see Brooke alongside several big supporters for a mini jog around the edge of Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes region. Big sis and I managed to keep up with Brooke for all of 5 km along that section of Te Araroa trail. Just long enough to wish her a belated Merry Christmas, Happy New year and to hear how she loved finishing off the North and getting stuck into the South. There is so much to say about this mission of Brooke's. We will never be able to properly thank all the friends and family who have contributed in ways we couldn't have guessed. It's amazing how one big jog can also be so busy! Between meeting new and epic people along the trail, responding to questions from media, ensuring replacement shoes will be delivered to the right place, eating enough food, and posting just enough pics on social media to share a glimpse of what she is experiencing, it's almost amazing Brooke has any time for running those kms! But sure enough she is.
It really is a phenomenal achievement the distance and terrain that she is covering at such a non-stop speed. From the Tararua Ranges north of Wellington to the Richmond Ranges just south of Nelson, Brooke has not only been keeping up a great pace but often doing so while carrying all supplies necessary for staying overnight in huts. The mountains of New Zealand proving impenetrable to the parental support crew in the motorhome, despite how endlessly dedicated they are. As the saying goes, behind every great woman are some great supporters (or something like that) and Brooke has been lucky enough to have many! Worthy of his own mention, is her coach and fellow fitness enthusiast Adam Keen. Adam took up the challenge of accompanying Brooke for some of the hardest yards and we're all mightily impressed with their efforts including 3am starts in order to finish the North Island just in time for a flight to the South.
As these photos are kindly supplied by Adam, I'm not the one to be able to provide full info on where and who. I can say there is a wonderful French man and a strong Austrian man who feature. Hopefully Brooke will be able to tell you the full story one day if you ask! For now, adios, hope to write again soon. If you have any burning questions about Wally and her mission, let me know here. If I don't know the answer, I can always make it up.