Latest news with #IAmHope
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Electrician Blake Schimanski runs length of New Zealand for I Am Hope
'Waking up every day and knowing how hard the previous day was and how hard this day and the next day was going to be was tough mentally,' Schimanski said. 'I was prepared physically but I underestimated how much the fatigue would get to me. But nothing was going to stop me. I didn't know how I was going to finish but it never crossed my mind that I wouldn't.' The 24-year-old Howick electrician ran in support of I Am Hope, so far raising around $44,000. He lost a close friend to suicide in 2018, and family and friends ran an Auckland Marathon in his memory and to raise money for the organisation. Schimanski ran longer events in subsequent years, the longest a two-day, 190km ultramarathon, raising more than $10,000 for I Am Hope. A couple of years ago, the idea to take on a challenge 10 times tougher – running the length of New Zealand – started firming in his mind. That has dominated the past 18 months of his life; not just the physical training – running 150km-200km a week for the six months before starting in Bluff on March 31 – but also the logistical side and finding sponsors. He is thankful for their support, particularly Jayco Auckland and Dalton Electrical. Parents Paul and Fiona and brother Jesse accompanied him on the journey, towing a specially sign-written caravan. But most of his time was spent running alone on the side of the road, mainly State Highway 1. Every two hours, he would catch up to his family and refuel. Schimanski's days started at 3.30am. 'I'd have a shower because I'd be saturated with sweat; have breakfast, get my body taped up – all my toes were blistered.' 'It's about reaching out to your mates' He would start running around 5am-5.30am and finish 7pm-8pm. He had no rest days and ran 75km-85km daily, except a couple of days when he needed to see a physiotherapist. Schimanski wanted to complete his run in a record 18 days but injuries slowed his progress and skewed his planning. He was forced to change his accommodation schedule and his footwear when his feet swelled more than anticipated. He wore out half a dozen pairs of trainers. The camber of the roads proved challenging – 'my ankles swelled up massively' – and he had to remain vigilant running towards traffic, particularly on narrow bridges and the many areas where drivers would not expect to encounter a pedestrian. Highlights included the spectacular scenery, especially the Kaikōura coast, and running through Auckland accompanied by two dozen former Howick College schoolmates and Beachland Maraetai rugby teammates. Podcasts and music helped pass the time until he 'ran out of things to listen to' near the end. Schimanski said the biggest thing he learnt was the power of persevering, simply putting one foot in front of the other, and he also wanted to reiterate the primary reason for his run. 'It's about reaching out to your mates, even when it might not look like they're struggling, because when you start talking, it makes a difference.' He doesn't have another running challenge in mind but is sure one will materialise once he has fully recovered. Schimanski's website has a link to his Givealittle donations page.
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Tauranga artist, model Hannah Cross selected as finalist in Miss Universe New Zealand 2025
'Once you leave high school ... all of these amazing opportunities for performing arts, they actually just kind of disappear because you get thrust into the adult life.' When she found pageanting in Auckland, she found a way to blend her love of getting involved in the community and 'be on stage again and perform'. Cross entered her first pageant - Miss Auckland - last year and came second runner-up. It was an 'incredible experience' - she raised money for charity I Am Hope through a paint and sip event and volunteered at schools and Everybody Eats - a charity which provides free meals. She said it felt 'amazing' and 'fulfilling' to give back. Becoming a Miss Universe New Zealand finalist Cross finished her degree at the University of Auckland, moved back to Tauranga at the end of last year and was 'living a quiet artist life'. In late February/early March, Cross was asked by Miss Universe New Zealand if she wanted to be involved. Cross said she initially felt a bit sceptical as she had planned on taking a break because it was 'such a full-on world'. Cross said the director had seen her work with Miss Auckland and her modelling photoshoots and collaborations with brands, which she had done for the past three years. 'Being in Tauranga again and being around my family and my friends ... I thought, why not? I can use this platform to promote my beautiful Mount Maunganui and also be really proud of where I come from ... and put that on the world stage.' Cross was confirmed as a finalist in the 2025 pageant. Between now and the final in June, Cross was planning and hosting charity fundraisers, including a 'pink-themed' art auction for the Breast Cancer Foundation, which she would be including some of her work in. She was also 'jumping for cancer' - a skydiving initiative by the Cancer Society. Cross said she would do photo shoots, rehearsals, and attend other pageanting events in Auckland. 'Incredible' opportunities She said it was 'widely accepted' that 'you have to be pretty in order to be successful' in the pageanting world. Cross said this was not true as self-confidence, a positive mindset, personality, technique, poise, and grace were all part of it. 'What's also really amazing about pageantry now and how it's evolved is it's able to use a platform to raise money and build awareness for charities ... ' 'It encourages other young women as well to really see their place in their community and go, 'Well, where can I help?'' Cross said she had some 'incredible' opportunities resulting from pageanting - she had worked with well-known brands and was walking in New Zealand Fashion Week this year. 'It's been so great for my modelling career.' One of her biggest goals was to win Miss Universe New Zealand, as she would love to put her artwork 'out there' on a global scale. Another was to have her own fashion designer brand, as she was already designing clothes, including her national costume for Miss Universe. Cross also planned to enter the World of Wearable Art competition in the near future. Rotorua came second in the Miss Tourism Worldwide pageant.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
New ultra race deemed a success
Runners near the completion of another lap. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/KELSI MILLAR-PHOTOS4SALE Competitors braved the rainy Easter weekend to run 6.7km every hour on the hour until they could run no more at the inaugural Alexandra Carousel Backyard Ultra race. Event co-organiser Tom Heath said 49 runners took to the course and ran laps until there was only one person left. Cromwell man Kieran Phillips was the last runner standing, completing 26 laps of the course and covering 172km. The first runners had dropped out after three laps, which meant they had almost covered the distance of a half marathon. Mr Heath said it was special to see people complete three laps of the course and double their personal bests from three weeks ago. As well as success on the track, the event successfully raised $530 for Bowel Cancer New Zealand and I Am Hope. Mr Heath said the event was an incredible success with nothing but praise from the runners and their support crews. "It's always difficult to know what's going to happen on your first event. Kieran Phillips, of Cromwell, was the last runner standing at the Alexandra Carousel Backyard Ultra after running 26 laps in 26 hours. PHOTO: SUPPLIED "It was a massive success with 50 people. "So yeah, it was just fantastic to really get anyone to turn up, to be honest." The course was also praised by runners for its scenery "Everyone just said it was so beautiful which obviously Central Otago is, but especially this time of year during autumn. "We've got just some amazing-coloured golden trees at the moment which just really made it special." Mr Heath said he was proud of the event and with a few tweaks to the course, the Carousel Backyard Ultra would return next year bigger, better and raising money again.
