Last week, Brooke begun the adventure, which will include plenty of river crossings, kayak sections, traversing mountain ranges and navigation along the way. The trail is rough and remote in place, entering the back-country for days on end, and by the time she reaches Bluff, she will have climbed the equivalent of over 9 times the height of Everest!!!

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞?

At age 22, I had been competitively rowing for New Zealand before being diagnosed with a heart condition and became a recipient of an inserted pacemaker/defibrillator. Prior to having the defibrillator, there was a pretty high risk associated with my heart condition, which unfortunately meant giving away my rowing career.

Since then, however, I have been so incredibly lucky with the health care I have received and have continued to build confidence in how far I can physically push myself.

Having gone through times of being told to limit strenuous exercise, avoid sudden startling noises, and keep stress to a minimum, it was all pretty nerve-wracking never knowing just how far I could test my own limits.

Health aside, I also feel so privileged to have grown up in New Zealand with such a safe and stunning outdoors playground for us to explore, right on our door steps.

For me, attempting to run the length of our country is all of these things… a personal challenge, a display of gratitude for my health, and an opportunity to celebrate being a Kiwi.

Fundraising for the HeartKids NZ is my way of giving back for all the support and medical expertise I have received throughout my own health journey.

Wishing you all the very best Brooke! If you would like to learn more, please see Brooke's fundraising page http://ow.ly/WTZR50CpHQ2