Mary Williams hit the 80km mark on the Old Ghost Road, an 85km mountain bike track following a long forgotten but now revived gold miner’s road. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
EMILY IRELAND
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Masterton’s Mary Williams is reaching the halfway point of her journey running the length of New Zealand.
The 24-year-old is approaching the northernmost tip of the South Island, Cape Farewell, and has run and tramped close to 1500km since the end of November.
“I’ve already worked through two pairs of shoes and three pairs of socks, and my feet are taking a real beating,” Williams said.
She embarked on the journey to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
So far, she has raised $2393.
The run has been a challenge so far she said.
This week, she ran from Murchison to Seddonville over the Old Ghost Rd, covering the distance of a marathon per day.
“I take a day off about once a week to rest,” she said.
“I’m pretty sore.
“It’s been a great challenge so far, and a really fantastic opportunity to see more of New Zealand’s back country.
“I get to meet so many people on the trails and in back country huts, as well as learn more about New Zealand’s history and find those smaller rural village gems: like Seddonville, Glenorchy, Oban and Riverton, places I wouldn’t normally go.
“I explored the Tararuas a fair bit growing up, but Mackenzie country, Nelson Lakes, Stewart Island – they’re all so different and beautiful in their own different ways, it’s hard to believe they’re all part of the same country.”
Williams is set to be back in Masterton next week in time to run Wellington Round the Bays with her family and organise her supply boxes for the North Island leg of the journey.
She is set to embark on her North Island run by February 23.
