February Newsletter
To all our members, sponsors, partners, ambassadors, guides and volunteers. Welcome to the February edition of the Achilles NZ newsletter.
Christchurch Achilles members Before their Saturday Training
Well it's February already and for most of us the summer holiday is over and it's back to life as normal (just a bit hotter).
It's that time of year when just putting on your shoes makes you break out in a sweat. As the old saying goes, "The hardest part of going for a run is putting your shoes on." Once you are out there, life is good, but yes it's OK to say "**** it's hot."!
All of the various regional chapters are back into their respective scheduled training sessions for 2020. Many of our regional chapters do the traditional fortnightly Sunday morning training sessions, but some have found additional or alternative options that work better for them so if you are unsure of what your local chapter is up to then contact them and find out more. Visit https://www.achillesnewzealand.org/training
Upcoming Events
Achilles Athletes Gathering for a photo at 2019 Round the Bays
Round the Bays - Sunday, 16 February.
We have over 40 Achilles athletes and guides descending on Wellington to participate in either the 6.5, 10 or 21km distances next weekend. A very special thank you goes to Cigna NZ for supporting us to make it possible for those attending after our previous funding for this event did not happen at the end of last year. For more information about this event contact Matt matt@thedigitalcafe.co.nz.
Expressway Classic, Huntly - Saturday 15 February.
at this stage about 30 Achilles athletes and guides people including pushrim, Handcycles and recumbant footcycles are taking part in this 5, 10 or 21km event and will get the unique "Classic" Finishers medal.
over 900 people in total have already entered and there is expected to be well in excess of 1000 taking part. All though there is no special wheelchair section the "Wheelies" get a 1 or 2 minute head start.
For more information please contact Peter Loft 021355866 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2445332712411990/
New York City Marathon
NYC Marathon 50th Event Logo
Our team for this year's NYC marathon on Sunday, 1 November is coming together nicely. At this stage we have 11 running/walking athletes and a total team including athletes, guides and supporters of 24. We will share more about the team and what they are doing to get to the start line as the year goes on. For all questions relating to our 2020 New York adventure please contact Mike Lloyd on 021 044 9428 or email info@achillesnewzealand.org.
Tauranga Chapter Report
Karleigh- Jane Jones and her Guide Ivan Sullivan at the festivsl of multisport Mount Run
The new year started with fantastic news that Stevie Jensen gained individual sponsorship from the team at Pics Peanut Butter, to go to the New York City Marathon 2020
This will make Stevie the first Achilles NZ Athlete with dual loss ( Deaf/Blind) to compete in the New York City Marathon. His courage continues to inspire so many.
We have been running a small training session over the summer holiday to train new guides. A warm welcome to Lemote and Anita.
Sara Ash came to Achilles 6 months ago and told me she was not interested in running events, she just wanted to do triathlons. Huge thankyou to Shannon Cleave ( Waikato Achilles) for making this possible. Sara will do her first full Triathon in March, and has decided she likes running events now.
Karleigh-Jayne Jones had a great race at the Mount run 10km event, with her great Guide- Ivan.
Our next event is PWYW ( Pay What You Want) 5th April .
https://www.taurangahalfmarathon.co.nz/
We are good to go for 2020 here in Tauranga with the help from Kale Print producing our beautiful Promotion photos.
Happy training everyone.
From Achilles Tauranga
Stevie Jensen Finishing the Mount 1/2 Marathon with his guide Nikki
New York City Marathon 2020 Athlete profile
Stevie Jensen
Chapter- Tauranga
Age 54
Disability - Severe hearing loss, Low Vision ( RP)
Stevie has been Deaf since Birth, and his vision started deteriorating in his late teens.
- He started running in 2018 with Achilles Tauranga. Since then he has competed in six events, which included two half marathons. He is looking forward to the Rotorua Marathon being his first full Marathon. Then with the wonderful help from Pics Peanut Butter, Stevie will be travelling with the Achilles NZ team to the 2020 New York City Marathon.
From the Board - Allan Smith
Allan Smith
Welcome Tina!
We are please to let you know that we have appointed Tina to a new administration role on a part time contract basis. Tina will be looking after the day-to-day office tasks and is based in Auckland. She can be contacted on admin@achillesnewzealand.org.
New Board members wanted
With the Achilles NZ AGM being held at the end of May, we are seeking new board members one of whom has a background in finance management. These board members are both involved in the governance and direction of Achilles NZ plus work alongside regional leaders giving advice and support.
Check out the full advertisement by going to https://www.appointbetterboards.co.nz/find-a-board-position/apt14946
If you are interested in becoming an integral part of the running of Achilles NZ and believe that you have the required skills, please send your applications to matt@thedigitalcafe.co.nz.
Our next board meeting is scheduled for Monday 17 February. If you have any questions or suggestions that you would like to put to the board, please email info@achillesnewzealand.org
The Final Word
If you have any ideas or information to share that you think could be part of a future edition of our Achilles monthly newsletter then please email us at info@achillesnewzealand.org and let's see what we can do.
Until next month - Give it heaps folks! Keep Running, Walking, wheeling and Hand Cycling.
GO ACHILLES!!