June Newsletter
To all our members, sponsors, partners, ambassadors, guides and volunteers. Welcome to the June edition of the Achilles NZ newsletter
Dick Traums “Walk awhile in their shoes”
Fundraising event hosted by Achilles Rotorua
A group of Achilles Athletes and Guides standing my Lake Rotorua
On the 8th June Achilles Rotorua hosted a fundraising event, Dick Traums “walk a while in their shoes”. We had a great turn out of local Achilles athletes as well as athletes from Tauranga and Hamilton. The lovely backdrop of Lake Rotorua gave us a picturesque view….. for those not blindfolded! There were lots of laughs along the way as well as lots of “look out”, “Go to the left”, “watch out for the step”, “Oops forgot to tell you”. It was a big learning curve for the guides. We discovered that it was not only the high things such as tree branches to watch out for but the low things like flax overlapping the track which caused hazards for our “blind” athletes. Everyone that took part learnt a lot about what it takes to guide and also an appreciation of all our visually impaired athletes and how brave and trusting they need to be to take part in events. Special thanks to Jonathon Hager for the tips he gave us before we started.
Volunteer/Athlete of the Month - Thomas Tuki
Thomas Tuki on the BBQ at the Rotorua Marathon
What Achilles Chapter are you a part of? Rotorua
What is your Injury/Disability? Visual impaired
How long have you been injured/disabled for and how did it happen? I have been visual impaired for over 40 years and my disability is genetic.
What running achievement are you most proud of? Completing 21km walk at both Wellington Round The Bays and Rotorua Marathon in 2016
What is your Favorite Event? My favorite event is Rotorua Marathon as it is our local event. We get to talk to people about Achilles at the Expo and host other Achilles members from other chapters.
What are you Hobbies/Interests? I love sports and am involved with Central District Blind sports where I get to play other sports like cricket, rugby, hockey, goal ball and other sports.
What is your Favorite food? I love Chinese food , sea food and hangi just to mention a few. I have a great love of food in general.
Who is your Favorite Musician? My favorite musician is late Steve Wander.
Who is your Favorite Sportsperson? The late Colin Meads he was such a great ruby icon and was also involved in supporting people with disabilities through community volunteer with IHC in the King Country District.
A book that everyone should read is….. The History of Te Aroha Tribe.
What do you love most about running with Achilles NZ? The most I love about running with Achilles is socializing and great relationship that we all have amongst us watching members grow and build confidence and seeing athletes achieving their goals.
If you could invite any four people to Dinner who would they be and why? My first invitation would go to Hannah Pascoe a blind athlete who has pushed beyond the odds and complete several marathon national and international. Hannah is now a triathlon athlete. John Walker who is also a great runner and was also involved in supporting people with disabilities . icon. The third person I would invite is my sister Lavinia Taukamo who is very supportive of what I do. Lavinia also supported one my friend as a guide on one of the running events a few years ago. Last but not least I would invite Faustinah Ndlovu for her positive energies and the support and she gives to our Rotorua Chapter members heaps to achieve our goals.
Do you have a favorite Quote? What is it? Kia kaha which means stay strong. This quote encourage all athletes to stay strong in what ever they do.
Sponsor News - Pure Sports Nutrition
BLACKCURRANTS // WHAT, HOW, WHY & WHEN?
Continuing our focus this month on blackcurrants, there is just so much to know about these amazing 'super fruits' so we have enlisted Performance Dietitian, Conrad Goodhew (NZRD), to look into the science and usage of blackcurrants for sports recovery. In this short video, Conrad covers everything you need to know to get the real benefits of adding blackcurrants into your daily diet.
From The Board - Allan Smith
Allan Smith
We are currently working on the new membership induction packs which will be made available in July
The board is working towards a strategic planning day in wellington this August.
We welcomed our newest Board members to our most recent Board meeting, Lisa and Olivier.
Guide of the Month - Nikki Wilson
Nikki Wilson
What Achilles Chapter are you a part of? Tauranga
What Distance do you Run when you aren’t Guiding? Half Marathon / Marathon
What Event did you last Guide/Volunteer at? Mount Runners/ Walkers Half Marathon
Why did you become guide? I love helping people. I enjoy being around people that are interesting. I felt I had reached my ultimate fitness goal after completing a Taupo Ironman 2007. Where next?? Achilles guiding was the perfect new challenge to embark on.
What are you Hobbies/Interests? Learning the guitar, and teaching my children music. Teaching additional needs children. Walking. Art.
What is your Favorite food? Sushi
Who is your Favorite Musician? Dave Dobin
Who is your Favorite Sportsperson? Marthon runner Lydia O'donnell ( taught her PE, a wonderful person in everyway)
A book that everyone should read is…….Balance+Food,Health+ Happiness by Rachel Grunwell. Too awesome for words- both the author and book.
What do you love most about being involved with Achilles NZ? Meeting other guides who are kind hearted great people. Meeting the Athletes who are so inspirational, courageous and wonderful to be around.
If you could invite any four people to Dinner who would they be and why? The late Sir Peter Blake- for his stories about sailing the southern oceans. My Dad- he taught me endurance. Dave Dobin- (only if he sings for me instead of eating). My 7 yr old . She is a small eater- I can eat all her left overs- yum.
Do you have a favorite Quote? What is it? "Feel the fear, and do it anyway".
Upcoming Events
Dunedin Marathon
Sunday 1st September 2019
Marathon, Half Marathon Run and Walk, 10 km Run and Walk, 5km Run
There is a 15% Discount for this event when we have a minimum of 15 athletes so please Email our Dunedin chaptewr leader, Stacey Pearson by the 15 July if you are keen to compete in this event. All entries have to be completed online by the 31st July. There is no Charge for Guides entering this event.
Email Stacey Pearson ASAP at dunedin@achillesnewzealand.org
Sydney Marathon - Sunday 15th September
Sydney Marathon Flyer - Contents written below
Achilles alongside Marathon Tours has Organised a Travel Package Deal for Athletes wanting to Go to Sydney to compete in this Event.
The Deal is $1429 pp Including….
Return Airfares from Auckland
3 Nights Twin Share Accommodation
Event Entry to the Sydney Running Festival
The Events Included are the Blackmores Marathon, Blackmores Half Marathon, Blackmores 10km Bridge run, Blackmores 3.5km Family Run.
If you are interested in this Deal please email run@marathontours.co.nz
Please visit the Link below for more Information and Entry details. https://planmyevent.eventsair.com/…/registrat…/Site/Register
Auckland Marathon - Wheelchair Event
Sunday 20th October
With the inclusion of a New Wheelchair category at this years Auckland Marathon we have paired up with Marathon Tours to sort a Accommodation offer for anyone wanting to take part in this years Event. Get in quick because rooms are Limited. Don't forget to Enter the Auckland Marathon Event by the end of June to make the most of early Bird Discounts! We hope to see Lots of Yellow T-Shirts on the Start line!
Achilles Has Paired up with Marathon Tours to offer a Package deal for Achilles Members. The Accommodation is a the M social Hotel in Aucklands CBD. There are Wheelchair Accessible King/Queen Rooms for $308 per night (breakfast included).
For more Information or to Book your rooms please email rebecca@marathontours.co.nz.
Taupo Marathon
Taupo Marathon Logo
3rd August 2019
Join us on Saturday 3rd August for an awesome day out with friends and family. We now have an event option for all fitness levels with the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km & Kids Dash options — so choose your challenge and we’ll see you on the start line.
See the below Codes for Exclusive Achilles Discounts….
Achilles Athletes: RTachilles19 15.00%
Achilles Guides: CRTaguides19 100.00%
Chapter News - Wellington Marathon and parkrun
Congratulations to those who competed in the Wellington Marathon 2019 on Sunday. Olivier and Sarah Guided Paul in the Half Marathon and Paul achieved a PB! Olivier is our Newest Board member, its great to see him out Volunteering! Its Great to see people Making the most of the Awesome parkrun New Zealand events. Over the weekend Mike Lloyd from the Auckland chapter attended his first one at Cornwall park and our Whangarei Chapter had a few members attend their local one as well! Remember that these events are FREE! Check out the Link below to see all the parkrun locations across NZ!