Streak runner taking part in Tarawera Trail 50km   12 Oct 2015

Streak runner taking part in Tarawera Trail 50km

On his 828th day of streak running, Hamilton local Colin Young will be running not one but 50 kilometres in the Tarawera Trail 50km in Rotorua on 14 November.

Streak running is the latest craze to hit New Zealand from the United States and is a commitment to run at least one mile every single day – no matter what.

Always on the hunt for new running challenges and milestones, Mr Young tried a number of quirky running variations including retro running (running backwards), blind running, running 100km or more a week and also ultramarathon running, but has stood by streak running for over two years.

“I read an article about a few kiwis who were streak runners – not people who run naked (although that is on my bucket list) but people who run every day. I was intrigued and my streak was born.

“To get on the Official Streak Registry, you need to have one year under your belt – the USA register currently has 573 active streakers while the international list has 33 streakers, five of whom are kiwis.

“My favourite part about streak running is waking up and wondering when I should run, not if I should run.”

Testing out the Tarawera Trail 50km before committing to the Tarawera Trail Ultramarathon in 2017, which by then will be his 1,278th day of streak running, Mr Young chose the 50km over the marathon distance to “claim more bragging rights.”

“I chose the event because everyone talks about the Tarawera runs. I’m also really excited to witness the stunning views, test out the much-acclaimed refreshment tables along the way and get one of those wooden medals at the end.”

Combining Rotorua’s remarkable scenery with Maori cultural heritage, the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km is a spectacular point-to-point course from geyser to volcano.

Starting at Te Puia’s world-famous Pohutu Geyser and finishing at Hot Water Beach on the shores of Lake Tarawera, the event takes runners along a geothermal pathway, retracing one of New Zealand’s most important historical routes.

“The beauty of long distance trail running for me is that, unlike road running, there is no pressure to get a good time – if I come across a great view along the way, I’ll stop, take in the view, do the obligatory selfie to post on Facebook, and not worry about trying to make up the lost 30 seconds,” Mr Young explains.

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