Great Runs Aotearoa
This summer I am running all of the Great Walks in New Zealand, accumulating to 667.8km, to fundraise for Otago Rescue Helicopters.
Otago
Kia Ora koutou,
Ko Annise toku ingoa. I am a medical student at the University of Otago and a medic in the NZ Army Reserves (SHSS, RNZAMC).
This year I have set myself a challenge to run all of the Great Walks in NZ. This accumulates to 667.8km (522.80km trail running and a 145km kayak). This challenge will highlight there are many ways for us to access the outdoors and make adventures accessible amongst busy studies or work. As well as encouraging students to engage in adventures, I will be fundraising for Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust. As a medical student interested in aeromedical rescue, this is an organization that I believe to be vitally important to facilitating safe access to recreation (including the Great Walks).
"The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter service is operated by HeliOtago from its bases in Dunedin and Queenstown and provides critical medical help to the communities of southern New Zealand. It is a partially Government funded community service supported by donations and sponsorships from individuals and organisations in our local community."
The tracks (as pictured below) include:
1 - Tongariro Northern Circuit (44.9km)
2 - Whanganui River Journey (87km-145km kayak)
3 - Waikeremoana Track (46km)
4 - Abel Tasman Coast Track (60km)
5 - Heaphy Track (78.4km)
6 - Paparoa Track (55km)
7 - Routeburn Track (33km)
8 - Milford Track (53.5km)
9 - Kepler Track (60km)
10 - Rakiura Track (32km)
+ Hump Ridge Track (60km) - made into an official Great Walk in October 2024.
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#9 - Routeburn Track (10/03/2025) 13 March 2025
Whilst in Te Anau for the Milford and Kepler, an opportunity arose to do a key swap for the Routeburn. After a day's rest from the Kepler, I left Te Anau on Saturday morning to drive to the Routeburn Shelter (Glenorchy end).
Running from the Routeburn Shelter to the Divide, I started with approximately 8km of fairly constant but gentle elevation to reach the Routeburn Falls hut. From there, the track climbed to the Harris Saddle, with around 1000m elevation gain over 6km. On the way up, I got targetted by a few bumble bees due to having some honey in my bag (luckily no stings, but I'll think again before having a partially open honey pouch). After doing the key swap just past the Harris Summit Shelter, I began the rocky descent to Lake MacKenzie. From there, it was about 12km to the end (during which I managed to loose my hat) before the 5hr drive back to Dunedin for class the next morning.
A fairly quick decision to add another 33km and 1600m of elevation gain to top off a great week proved to be well worth it. Definitely a track that I will be keen to run again.
I managed to complete over 150km and climb 5000m this week, exploring the incredible Fiordland area. Only two more to go!
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