British ultrarunner Russ Prepare dinner, often known as the ‘Hardest Geezer’, has crossed Aotearoa (New Zealand) on foot in 73 days. His journey from Bluff to Cape Rēinga highlights not solely extraordinary endurance but in addition the various tradition and pure great thing about Aotearoa.
British ultramarathon runner Russ Prepare dinner has added one other outstanding feat to his already extraordinary listing of world achievements. Generally known as the ‘Hardest Geezer’, Prepare dinner ran the complete size of Aotearoa alongside the two,500km Te Araroa Path. Beginning on the southern tip of the nation in Bluff and ending at Cape Rēinga within the far north, his journey took 73 gruelling days of near-constant motion by means of each terrain conceivable.
This run marks the twenty eighth nation Prepare dinner has crossed on foot in his international operating mission. For these following his journey carefully or seeking to evaluate the most effective bookies for their very own journey challenges, his story is extra than simply about miles—it’s about mindset, perseverance and cultural connection. Te Araroa isn’t merely a line on a map; it weaves by means of alpine passes, river valleys, dense forests and concrete centres, every leg bringing new challenges and moments of awe.
From Bluff to Cape Rēinga: A 73-Day Ultramarathon Throughout Aotearoa
Prepare dinner started his journey in early March 2025 at Stirling Level in Bluff. The route he took coated over 2500km, zigzagging by means of each the South and North Islands. From the rugged great thing about the Southern Alps to the subtropical forests within the north, every step was a testomony to each bodily stamina and psychological power. He accomplished the journey in simply over 10 weeks, averaging round 34 kilometres per day—no straightforward feat given the complexity and elevation adjustments of the path.
What units this achievement aside is the diploma of bodily demand over such a sustained interval. There was little room for relaxation days or shortcuts. Each morning, no matter climate or soreness, Prepare dinner laced up his sneakers and continued. The journey ended at Cape Rēinga, a sacred website in Māori tradition, the place land meets sea and legend holds that spirits depart for his or her ancestral homeland.
Battling Harm and Terrain: Prepare dinner’s Resilience on the Path
The journey wasn’t with out battle. Through the remaining month, Prepare dinner endured a big damage to his decrease proper leg. At instances he might barely run, resorting to hobbling for the primary a part of every day till his physique allowed him to jog once more. This take a look at of resilience underlines why he is earned the ‘Hardest Geezer’ moniker—he would not cease, irrespective of the impediment.
Whereas many would have thought-about suspending and even ending the problem, Prepare dinner pushed ahead, making changes to tempo and restoration technique with out compromising the integrity of the journey. His crew supplied important assist, from logistical coordination to medical checks, but it surely was Prepare dinner’s grit that saved the mission shifting.
Embracing Māori Tradition and Kiwi Hospitality Alongside the Journey
Past the sheer athleticism of the run, Prepare dinner took time to embrace New Zealand’s tradition and communities. He was welcomed by Māori leaders, took half in conventional ceremonies and made it some extent to immerse himself in native experiences. Alongside the way in which, he additionally tackled just a few iconic Kiwi adventures like bungee leaping off Auckland Harbour Bridge and skydiving above Abel Tasman Nationwide Park.
Prepare dinner’s run throughout New Zealand wasn’t only a bodily problem—it was a cultural exploration and a tribute to human endurance. His skill to mix journey, self-discipline and respect for native traditions has gained admiration from followers across the globe. Now with New Zealand checked off his listing, the operating world eagerly watches to see the place the Hardest Geezer will go subsequent.
