Running New Zealand 10 Great Walks in under 10 days to help protect the local unique biodiversity

$784 donated

Given by 19 generous donors in 13 weeks

I’m running New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks in under 10 days to raise funds for the New Zealand Nature Fund—help protect our unique wildlife!

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Support New Zealand’s Natural Heritage: The 10 Great Walks in under 10 days Challenge

I’m taking on an incredible challenge—to run the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand, covering 550 kilometers in under 10 days, starting on December 28th. I’ll tackle some of New Zealand’s most stunning tracks: Rakiura Track, Humpridge Track, Milford Track, Kepler Track, Routeburn Track, Paparoa Track, Heaphy Track, Abel Tasman Coast Track, Tongariro Northern Circuit, and the Whakaraomoa Lake Great Walk. This adventure will push my endurance, mental toughness, and logistics to their limits, as I navigate rugged mountains, forests, coastal cliffs, and alpine terrain—all in under 10 days. Thankfully, I won’t be alone in this endeavor. My friend Bernd will be my support crew, providing essential assistance along the way. This challenge is not just a test of physical strength but also a feat of planning and perseverance.

I’m doing this to raise funds for the New Zealand Nature Fund, a charity that supports the conservation of our precious ecosystems. Your donations will help protect endangered species like the kiwi and kakapo, restore native habitats, and support research and education to preserve New Zealand’s natural heritage. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. Please consider contributing to help safeguard the beauty and biodiversity that makes New Zealand so unique. Share this challenge with others and join me in protecting our environment for future generations!

Romain Groleau's involvement (page creator)

I feel a strong connection to the New Zealand Nature Fund as it embodies my commitment to giving back and helping preserve the country’s rich biodiversity, ensuring that our unique flora and fauna remain intact for future generations to cherish and enjoy.

Use of funds

Funds raised will support vital conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, protecting endangered species like the kiwi and kakapo, controlling invasive species, and funding research and education to preserve New Zealand’s unique ecosystems.

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Challenge completed ✅ 6 January 2025

On 5th January before 2am I finished and completed the 10 under 10 challenge, it was a steep mission to run/walk the New Zealand land 10 Great Walks under 10 days both physically and logistically.

It took 8 days 16 hours to go from the South of New Zealand in Rakiura to the North Island in Tongariro. It sets, I believe, the new record for the 10 Great Walks.

To understand the magnitude of the challenge here are some key stats:

530km, the equivalent of 12.6 marathons

81h on my feet on the trails only: an average of 6.5kph including photo stops, food and bio breaks

17,000 elevation gain, equivalent of 2 Everest

Lots of calories and liters of water

The scenery was out of this world, amazing views all around. The weather came to the party and the weather windows I had on trails were really good, I was lucky.

None of it would have been possible without Bernd support who was my legendary crew driving me from trailheads to trailheads and took care of me while I was physically tired and mentally exhausted. And on that last great walk the Tongariro Northern Circuit my friend Jay who ran with me through the night to help me complete the challenge. Thank you to everyone who supported, encouraged me and sent me messages, they all contributed to stack up my energy levels.

I feel even stronger and more connected to the ecosystem after this challenge having witnessed the beauty and diversity of the fauna and flora which we all need to make an effort to protect.

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