Te Araroa
On the 24th of August 2019 with my mum Robyn as support crew I set foot on the start of the Te Araroa trail in Cape Reinga and started to turn a dream into a reality.
I gradually made progress running, walking and hiking my way down the country where I could, meeting some old friends and new along the way.
Not without problems, The time of year that I left proved to be a challenge with weather, certain sections had to be skipped or diverted due to lambing and the Wanganui river paddle wasn't to be, due to a fear of water. (Maybe one day!)
As I made my way south more problems hit when I came out of the Richmond Ranges.
The next section from St Arnaud was still covered in snow, following that heavy rain caused some major flooding and swollen rivers..
Plan D and I re-started the trail in Tekapo en route to Bluff.
Arriving in Bluff 100 days prior to leaving Cape Reinga on a wet day was pretty satisfying but not as satisfying as it should have been with that large chunk of the South Island still to do.
When I was doing my research, I was looking forward to the section that was skipped the most!
As soon as I learned I had to skip the 420 odd km's still to do, I was on the phone to my boss and we came up with a plan that I could head back and do it at a later date.
March 2020 might work but then Lock down happened and it wasn't to be.
The new date to finish this thing off is set for the end of February 2021 when, fingers crossed rivers are low, the weather is warm and the day's are long.
For now I am back into the swing of things, training consistently and building a solid base for what's to come.
While Dougal Allen was amazing in coaching me for Te Araroa part 1 we have remained good friends.
With a few events lined up to keep things fun such as 50 km's at Naseby next month and the Kepler challenge in Decemeber I am working with Adam Keen from Aerobic edge who has been putting my plan together.
On the 20th of February I will be lining up to tackle The epic 85 km Old Ghost Road ultra just outside of Westport as a warm up for Te Araroa part 2.
Following the race I will make my way to St Arnaud with mum as crew and complete the section that I skipped finishing in Tekapo for a long overdue party!!
I would like to continue raising money for The mental health foundation and will be updating progress where possible.
My goal is to raise $20,000.
Thanks again for the support.
You can follow my progress here,
https://www.facebook.com/thelongrun19/?modal=admin_todo_tour
My Achievements
Added profile pic
Shared page
First five donations
Half way to goal
Added blog post
Reached goal
Thank you to my Supporters
$510
Aspiring Earthmoving
$26
Yvonne &, Gary
Go well and Best Wishes from us both
$26
Tim Chilman
Get after it Brook! Good luck!
$104
Jude & Barry
Brilliant effort Brooke
$26
Marge (margaret) Hurst
Best wishes for keeping up the fitness to finish your run.
$503
Wanaka New World
$500
Wanaka Community
$104
Anonymous
Keep it up Brook
$1
Mental Health Foundation Nz
$104
Dennis Schwarz
$275
Brook Van Reenen
MED MARKET
$52
Evan Big Sexy
Brilliant mission Bro. What an experience and no doubt time to dream up the next. Congrats on the achievement and your fund raising effort at the same time. Da man Brook! Yes.
$26
J Norris
$156
Marg & Bruno Galloway
Good on you Brook. Keep it up.
$100
Jamie Calder
Awesome work.
$26
Phillip Cochrane
Well done mate. I am a kiwi living in Europe Your hard work has been a cyber-vacation for me.
$25
James Harper
Congratulations Brook, what an amazing thing to do!
$100
Scott Mcgoun
Solid effort (massive understatement!). Good on you ??
$26
Pattie O'boyle
You are truly an inspiration. Well done on your incredible journey
$50
Jenny Hirst
And you made it! Well done Brook. Enjoy a break at home before you next adventure (and I'm sure there will be many adventures planned) ??♂️
$10.40
Tim Lerew
$26
Ben Kolff
$26
Andy Smith
$104
Jamie And Aileen.
Good Job Mate
$25
Sally Edgerton
Have been following your trip all the way. An outstanding accomplishment for a very worthy cause, well done. Enjoy the deep south, the best part of the trail for sure!
$41.60
Dawn
Great effort Brook, doing well and not too far now!
$26
Logan Penniket
$124.80
Wanaka Community
$208
Phil Struckmann
Almost there mate - what an amazing effort. Well done!
$100
Rae-ann Sinclair
What an incredible selfless thing you have done - well done and congratulations on every km you run. Great support crew too.
$20.80
Simon Clendon
What an amazing adventure!
$104
Evan And Anne Begg
Good Effort, good cause
$26
Jane And Errol Raumati
Best Wishes from Jane and Errol Raumati ( friends of Yvonne & Gary)
$200
Rachael Tucker
Brook, to say I'm proud of you is an understatement. The journey you have been on and continue to on makes my heart happy. Keep running my friend. You are awesome x
$104
Tanya Winter
Hi Brook. You're nearly home! Loving watching your journey, both mental and physical. Was awesome hiking the bit through the Hakarimatas with you when you were in the Mighty Waikato. Kia kaha. Tanya
$52
Hamish Bartlett
Good on ya brother keep going .. so so close
$26
Anonymous
$52
Trish Linton
Awesome Brook have really enjoyed following you on this epic journey
$10.40
Anonymous
Gutted to read about the weather woes but pleased you have taken the safe option and understand you can come back and finish those sections. Have been following you on Dirt Church Radio. Was worried when I hadn't heard an update in a few episodes. Rest Assured your journey matters to a lot of people you don't even know.
$26
Sharon Noyce
$52
Pip White
Enjoying following your journey Brook. You're amazing. Here's to fair weather and safe travels through the South Island
$52
Nadine Olsen
Keep up the great work!
$26
Sarah Jackson
Sorry it’s taken this long to get around to the sponsorship! Great effort so far. Might cross paths with you somewhere near Bluff!
$354
Nick Dugan
Mate, awesome effort. As promised a small donation to your epic endeavour.
$52
David Wilkie
$52
Jo & Ruth Lewis
All the best Brook
$208
Ken And Marg Tustin
We love what you're doing Brook. Look forward to seeing you in Te Anau
$26
Kath Henderson
$26
Brooke Healey
Inspirational! Love following your journey Brook.
$260
Tim & Prue Wallis
EFT right left right keep it going! Well done Brook!
$12
Anita Chan
Shot bro!
$261
Anonymous
Great stuff Brook!
$26
Debbie Walton
You are acing an incredible challenge. I'm enjoying watching your progress along Te Araroa. Keep up the good work and well done to the support team too.
$20.80
Bianca Freytag
Keep up the amazing and inspiring effort!
$26
Yvonne & Gary
Helping to meet your target before you leave the North Island. We are backing you all the way.
$52
Jean Beaumont
$26
Samuel Moss
$52
Chris Robertson
Going strong Brook, keep it up!
$208
Rachal Aspinall
Loving watching the updates on FB Brook, take my hat off to you and what you're doing! Keep up the great work
$10
Penny Clendon
You are an inspiration :)
$100
Joe Benbow
I've been hugely inspired by your gutsy challenge, by your amazing photos, but most importantly by your positive, can-do attitude. Amazing stuff Brook - you're a great New Zealander!
$52
Rob Beck
$510
The Sleep Store
We are in awe of your amazing effort! We are loving your daily updates. Thank you for what you are doing for mental health & raising awareness.
$26
Jules (tinytramper)
Well done Brook! Love following your TA journey - amazing effort!! All the best Jules (Tinytramper) xx
$100
Joanne And Keith Thompson
Great to see you today in Fielding. Best of wishes for the rest of the journey.
$52
Anonymous
Awesome, Brook. Love following your journey!
$208
Erica & Will Morrison
So proud of you little bro, you’re going so well, it’s awesome to see! Look forward to when you get here!
$104
Wendy Coup
Amazing goal. Thank you for caring Brook and your team x
$100
Scott Long
Good on you Brook! What a great excuse to run some trails! Just Keep Going.
$26
Gareth Jenkins
$10.40
Aimee Perry
Just listened to another update on DCR. Keep up the awesome work!
$26
Robbie Rawles
$104
Alice Meikle
Great to meet you at the Timber Trail lodge tonight - you are an amazing inspiration! Good luck for the rest of your journey, will be following your progress and sending positive vibes
$26
Henrik Lennstrom
Keep up the good work and good luck with your running across the country!
$26
Craig And Jenny Allen
We started cycling the Timber Trail at the same time Brook started running it - and he almost beat us to the 40kn halfway point at Timber Trail Lodge. What an inspiration. Good luck for the rest of your journey and exceeding your fundraising goal for such an important cause.
$104
Helene&colin Wong/knox
Kia kaha.
$104
Robyn Hall
Go hard Brook - this is a great cause
$78
Jenny Hare & Brian Wills
Go Well Brook !!
$26
Jenny Hirst
It was great hosting you in Auckland and managing to keep up with you for 70km over 3 days! Hope to catch up with you in Welly - might even donate some more when you hit the capital city! Kiha kaha, Jenny and Pete.
$26
Bruce Watson And Claudia Landis
Hi Brook. Just talked to your Dad and he told us about your big run. Great. Best wishes. To your Mum too. Bruce and Claudia
$10.40
Anonymous
Go well Brooke.
$5
Brook Van Reenen
Donation from a farmer on the trail!
$10
Tina White
So nice to meet you Brook, you are an inspiration. All the best for the rest of your journey.
$55
Brook Van Reenen
Miriam & Pakiri camp ground cash donation :)
$26
Catherine Clarke
This cause is very close to my heart due to my journey and now my daughter's enormous journey - thankyou and hsve an awesome time enjoying all the places you run by and through each day ♥️
$26
Anonymous
all the best with this project, what a challenge
$26
Richard Wanhill
You've got this Brook
$26
Ian Gilmour
Go well Brook!
$104
Ruth Tauti
R E S P E C T for you and I N S P I R A T I O N for me! Loooooooove following your epic journey! Kia Kaha bro!! ?
$13.37
Photos4sale
:-)
$104
Paul Lewis
Thought we’d kick in a bit more to keep you going mate.
$10.40
Anonymous
Go Brook
$104
Mark Smith
Awesome Brook! I'm enjoying following you along on Facebook, but think it would be a lot more enjoyable on a Bicycle :)
$4
Sunrisequest.com
Hi, You don’t know us! We’ve met your mom today and had a nice chat. It’s very inspiring to see what you are doing. Wish you lots of luck. Say our hello to your mom (Sepideh & Dennis)
$20.80
Dereck Porter
Take time to look at the scenery. All the best.
$100
Bidfood Dunedin
Fantastic effort Brook
$26
Lucy Broughton
Very jealous of your adventure! Very worthy cause. Good luck.
$26
Reynolds Family
Great work!
$26
Maria Voigt
Will be following your progress. Best of luck and Kia kaha
$52
Vicki Cottrell
Just amazing Brook, hopefully we will see you on your way down. Go for gold
$26
Rebecca And Josh
Smash it Brook! I'll keep an eye out for when you make it welly ways!
$20
Jez
Enjoy it bro
$26
Ruth Croft
Awesome stuff, Brook. Will be following along .
$52
Helen Macdiarmid
Well done, enjoy your adventure and thank you ?
$5.20
Anonymous
$10.40
Kimbra Hughes
$26
Steph Cushen
Legend!
$52
Kerrie Waterworth
Good Luck Brook! Have a great adventure.
$208
Nigel Boswell
Go Brook!
$52
Martin Wright
Kia kaha Brook, I hope all goes well.
$10.40
Kirsten And Aj
$5.20
Maria Campbell Bidfood Logistics Auckland
$31.20
Red Lunday De Waal
Great challenge. Great cause. Great stuff Brook!
$52
Anonymous
$26
Linda Pierce
$52
Graham Wardrop
Hi Brook. It's a wonderful thing you're doing. I'll be following your progress with great interest.Cheers, Graham
$52
Courtney Mcnatty
$26
Jasmin Taylor
All the best!
$20.80
Penny Adams
Go Brook ! The world is lucky to have a human like you around !
$26
Lynn Taylor
Go all on this big mission Brook and Robyn
$104
Jo Connor
Inspirational. Wishing you and your supporti team a safe journey. A worthy cause.
$104
Jo And George Wallis
Have a wonderful adventure Brook
$50
Teresa Turnock
All the best Brook, dig deep through all the hard times, the end result will be worth it.
$104
Richard Kresser
All that stands between making it to the end and yourself is how much you want it! It's going to hurt, but realize that and then move on. Go do it man!
$208
Steve Pemberton
Have a blast brother! Give it an effort you’ll be proud of forever!
$208
Anonymous
Go like the clappers Brooke and have fun.
$25
Tessa Hogg
Good on you, Brook. A real kiwi taking on an extraordinary challenge for a really great cause. I hope your adventures inspires many many others. I have had the privilege of walking sections of the TA and know that you're in for a real adventure. Enjoy 90 mile beach, it is a tough start, but it's all part of the journey.
$20
Fiona Mcmartin
$52
Chris & Simon Bartlett
Wishing you all the best from Chris & Simon Bartlett
$500
The Prince Albert
$25
Robyn Richards
Inspirational!
$26
Martin Trvaj
$26
Liv Macfarlane
Incredibly inspiring, you’re a star ?
$1.2k
Brook Van Reenen
Fundraising evening
$104
Alim
$104
Vicki Spearing
Good Luck on the journey Brook, and well done on achieving so much already.
$780
Brook Van Reenen
Wanaka donations
$62.40
Rachel Bridgewater
Go well buddy!
$320
Brook Van Reenen
Wanaka!
$52
Sue Aspinall
Go Brook go and Good Luck
$52
Katie
Huge good luck, don't forget to enjoy it and remember the painful bits get forgotten in the end!
$26
Alex Martin
Go Brook! The whole DA Team is behind you mate!
$104
Sean Mcwilliams
Hey Brook, all the best mate! I know it's a long way but you've got this. Cheers, Sean
$52
Crawford Family
Go welll Brooke
$104
Lizzi Yates And Lucy O’hagan
Great work so far Brook. Love the updates, your story. Keep going ! ??
$52
Mal Law
For toughing it out at Mt Difficulty. Remember this and use it when things get tough of the TA run. DO. NOT. GIVE. UP!
$26
Yvonne & Gary Roberts
Supporting you all the way Brooke.
$31.20
Phil Sale
Go hard mate, said id donate if you completed Mt Difficulty and you rocked it so here you go
$260
George Henderson
"A runner must run with dreams in his heart" Emil Zatopek. Gods speed my friend
$10.40
Caroline O'neill
Go well
$31.20
Deon
Mt Difficulty. Keep up the good fight.
$10.40
Sarah Davidson
Good on ya for finishing Mt Difficulty Brook. So proud of you! Best of luck for TA.
$31.20
Cate S
Mt Difficulty - nailed it! Congrats Brook, on never giving up!!
$100
William Attwell
$100
Sally Law
Congrats on nailing the epic Mt Difficulty Ascent! Fine effort Brookster.
$410
Brook Van Reenen
Wanaka Donations!
$20.80
Marcella
Good luck for your adventure for a great cause!
$52
Elizabeth Sommerville
$26
Marge Hurst
$60
Brook Van Reenen
Wanaka Donations
$130
Jo Bailey
Good luck Brook!!
$262.20
Brook Van Reenen
Wanaka Donation Boxes
$52
Angie & Trev
Go Brook! We really admire what you are doing and have already achieved. More $$ will go in the pot when you reach your goal. We hope to provide logistic support to you during your run.
$52
Lucy Mills
Enjoying following your training journey and looking forward to the start of the adventure. Go well!
$104
Kevin Holland
I look forward to joining you through Canterbury. Keep in touch. Kevin
$104
Paul Lewis
Hey Brookster. Go well mate. Good to see you at Shotover. Paul and Kay
$20
Anonymous
$26
Mary Beth Frezon
In support of those who struggle daily. Good luck with your run!
$104
Jeremy Simpson
Great work!
$1.01k
Pete And Anne Hodgson
Hi Buddy This is from Anne and me. Go like the clappers
$26
Deon De Clercq
Keep up the good fight.
$25
Aimee Perry
Good luck for your adventure! I look forward to following how it goes for you and thanks for supporting such an important cause! ?
$50
Kirsty
What a great adventure Brook! And for a good cause. Will hopefully be able to meet you on the trail somewhere. Happy training.
$104
Cate S
Brook, I totally believe you can do this! Crush the Cargill next weekend, and keep doing what you're doing to prepare yourself for the big push in September 2019. You got this!!
$104
Anonymous
$5.20
Emily Oliver
$41.60
Deon
I remember you with those cool shorts on the Old Ghost Road Ultra. All the best on your awesome adventure.
$50
Sally Law
Great cause and what an adventure the run will be! There's a further $100 to come when you cross the finish line at Mt Difficulty. I'm not interested in how long it takes to get there, just that you do :-)
$10.40
Wendy Hawkes
Haven't met you Brook, but have seen you at a few events. What an adventure, good luck :)
$52
Trent
Awesome mission and awesome charity to support! I've had my first DNF this year and pulled out of an event due to sickness also. Wish you all the best!
Run well bro