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“I’m Michaela, and I grew up in the beautiful nature of the north of the Czech Republic. It’s already been more than a year since I left Czechia to originally only to study for 1/2 a year, then also to work, travel and explore abroad — and I love running so much that I’ve been running in every country I’ve visited over the past year (except Pakistan…)

From an early age, I was naturally led toward sport by my parents. When I was 3 years old, they taught me to ski, cycle, and cross-country ski. We spent a lot of time in the mountains. Running, too, was always somewhere in the background of my childhood — both of my parents used to run when they were younger, and when I was around twelve, I started joining them. At that time (which was normal for my age, I guess), I was going through a phase where I had become quite lazy and lost interest in most physical activities. Sport no longer felt “cool,” and I didn’t have much motivation to move. Running with my parents began almost accidentally — but it didn’t take long before I fell in love with it. My dad soon started signing me up for cross-country races and driving me to competitions. In my final year of primary school, I also started doing athletics. What started as something casual quickly became an important part of my life — not only because of the sport itself, but mainly because of the amazing group of people I met there.

Athletics brought me close friendships, unforgettable experiences, and introduced me to structured training: not just running for fun, but working on speed, strength, and discipline. I fell in love with it so much that I even changed schools because the athletics training was in a different city than my school.”

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Michaela @m_vundererova
(temp. Fiordland)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ by @runnersnz

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4 months ago

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“Ahoj! I’m Lukáš, and if you’d told me six years ago I’d be a runner, I would have laughed.

To be totally honest, I never actually liked running. When I first started in the Czech Republic during the Covid lockdowns, it was a genuine struggle. I began on the hard pavement of the city streets just to build my physique, but I hated every kilometre of it - until I discovered the trails and running in woods.

Moving from the asphalt to the forest trails changed everything for me. The trees became my gym and the dirt became my path. Since then, running has turned into my favourite way of exploring - and not just my neighbourhood, but the entire WORLD. Wherever I travel, I use my shoes to get as local as possible.

Then I came to New Zealand, and Aotearoa threw the ultimate challenge my way: the hills. I was never a fan of running uphill, but the mountains here don’t really give you a choice! Whether I’m gasping for air on a steep climb or navigating technical roots, I’ve found my stride alongside the amazing Kiwi running community. No matter how brutal the trail gets, there’s always a local nearby to ‘no worries’ their way through the challenge. Their grit and positivity helped me see exactly what my body is truly capable of.

Now, my running shoes are getting completely out of control... but I’m sure every runner can relate to that obsession!”

Lukáš @lukas_vavra
(temp. Fiordland)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@runnersnz by @runnersnz

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4 months ago

Legends finishing the Milford Track. All finished strong and on time for their boats. Welcomed into Glade Wharf with a cold beer, coke and 4 trillion sandflies 🍻🦟😅 by @runnersnz

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4 months ago

Milford in March. Our third time, replicating Joe Benbow’s well planned adventure of 2023.

A 4:30am start, 22 runners, 55 kilometres of trail, waterfalls a plenty, and 1 heck of an amazing day. Beginning in darkness (and this year rain) 3 boats from Deepwater Basin, carried the crew to Sandfly Point and the start of the Milford Track. Despite the weather, vibes high and grins wide. So freaking grateful to be here and a part of their mission.

A massive thanks again this year to the @fiordlandtours and @fiordlandoutdoors teams for making it possible. taken in Milford Track, Milford Sound by @runnersnz

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4 months ago

The 2026 “Little Kepler” Heli Run
Group Mission No. Two 🚁⛰️🚁🏃🏽
After the success of Januarys adventure, we put together another crew for February 8th.
10 more runners taking on the “Little Kepler”, 5 in each helicopter to Luxmore Hut. Thanks to this epic shortcut courtesy of @fiordlandhelicopters , the full 60km Kepler Track now reduced to to 38km – Luxmore Hut to Rainbow Reach, including the insanely beautiful and remote sections of alpine ridge lines and (when the early cloud burnt off) 360 degree Fiordland views!

Myself and a couple of runners who’d done the January adventure hiked up the Luxmore Grunt to rendezvous with the Heli. The weather changed a dozen times while we waited patiently near the top pad, but eventually the whole crew landed and were deployed onto the track.

Amazing mahi by everyone. Kepler Track ticked off, insane ridge line running, a glorious day (eventually) and all runners home safe! Ka pai 🙌

📷 The “Little Kepler” crew of Michaela, Lukáš, Sarah, Hannah T, Anaya, Todd, Tash, Gabrielle, Hannah C & Josh. Plus Ellen, Hunter & Nathan doing the Luxmore Grunt. Epic effort Team!

More pics on the website runners.nz taken in Luxmore Hut by @runnersnz

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5 months ago

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“How my running career began? I was always a sporty kid at school. I loved athletics and was a handy 100 metre and 200 metre sprinter all through my schooling, but rugby was my passion - 100 percent! I played for multiple clubs, played a lot of Southland rep rugby, and even Otago for a season. For years I played, enjoying the game I loved - but in my 30’s I had a bad leg break, breaking it into multiple pieces, which put me out of rugby for a year or two. I came back and I kept playing into my 40’s. My body was starting to break down a few running friends (they know who they are) said to me, “why not try out running?” I thought to myself, I was never a long distance runner, but what the hell - I’ll go give it a go!!

I got introduced to the 5km parkrun about 4years ago and back then started with a time of 29 minutes. From there my love of running blossomed. My parkrun PB is now 20.07 and I’m taking on longer runs. I’ve done the Rakiura Challenge 3 years in a row, completed 4 Luxmore Grunts and one full Kepler Challenge, and multiple 10km and 21km runs throughout.

I’ll be totally honest - I’d be lost without running now, and I encourage so many more people to get out there, start slow, enjoy. The world is your oyster!

Now I have a running shoe collection that is getting out of control... but I’m sure every runner can relate!”

Todd
(Invercargill)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ by @runnersnz

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5 months ago

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“Growing up, I was always active. I danced at my local dance school for almost 10 years, where I really thrived. I also competed in athletics and cross country at school, which I excelled at. However, since leaving school, running has taken a bit of a backseat, but living on a farm means I’ve always had plenty of space to head out for a training run when time allows.

In August last year I decided to go along to my local Monday Run Club with the idea that a regular running schedule would help me to maintain my fitness better, keep me accountable, and socially connected. Not long after I added the weekly parkruns in Te Anau to my routine.

A huge source of inspiration for me has been my cousin Rachel, who lives over in the UK. She’s seriously into running and is about to do her second full marathon in Edinburgh later this year. Keeping up with Rachel on Strava is equal parts inspiring and slightly terrifying – she’s clocking up some pretty cool achievements and I’m just trying to keep up with her! It’s been amazing to connect over running despite being so far apart. The great thing about doing this sport is realising just how global the running community is – it really is something you can do almost anywhere.

Monday Run Club has slowly but surely become the highlight of my week and a great way to connect socially within the community. In fact it’s the perfect mix of social catch-up and exercise all in one. There’s something so motivating about turning up on a Monday evening, seeing familiar faces, and knowing that you’re all there for a common goal. Running with a group just gives you that extra push you don’t always find on your own.

Getting back into running has turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve made. When joining Run Club last year, the biggest challenge for me was building up my endurance to run for longer distances. I’m now regularly running 5-10km every Monday. This has given me a good base to take part in running events. Recently I completed the Mavora Explorer 12km Dale Dash and that sense of achievement keeps me striving for more.”

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Ellen @_ellenleslie
(Fiordland)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
Runners NZ taken in Kepler Track, Fiordland National Park, Te Anau, New Zealand by @runnersnz

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5 months ago

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“Since I was young, my parents encouraged me to get involved in athletics. We joined the Fiordland Athletic Club where my dad was one of the fastest runners in Southland — and even in New Zealand at the time. I always looked up to him whenever I competed, which made those early years in the sport especially meaningful.

When I went to high school, I gradually lost interest in running. However, I stayed active through tennis and volleyball, which kept me fit and competitive. My passion for running was reignited when parkrun started in Te Anau. I began running it every week, and around that time, I set my sights on completing the Luxmore Grunt. Running parkrun weekly helped me rebuild both my fitness and my enjoyment of the sport, giving me the training I needed to complete the Grunt.

Now, after completing my third Luxmore Grunt, I’ve continued to challenge myself by competing in other races around Southland. Running alongside friends and family makes the experience even more rewarding, and that shared enjoyment is what continues to motivate me to keep going.”

Hunter @hunter_the_grieve
(Fiordland)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ by @runnersnz

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5 months ago

Amazing day and freakin’ outstanding effort by 12 of the local crew who jumped on our wild idea of completing a “Little Kepler” and experiencing those incredible alpine ridgelines!

39km from Luxmore Hut to Rainbow Reach with a cheeky helicopter short cut to start. A big day, beautiful weather, class trail, and the most excellent company for a hike/run.

📸 Vehicles parked at our finish point, waiting for our shuttle from @fiordlandhelicopters to catch our flight. Kris, Sacha, Tarn, Gareth, Simon, Lee, Ellen, Carly, Nathan, Sophie. Team Taylor taking the photo and Isaac meeting us on the track while doing the “Big Kepler”. taken in Te Anau, New Zealand by @runnersnz

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6 months ago

Te Anau Run Club 10km Trail Run thanks to the team at @fiordlandoutdoors (esp. Hannah and Skipper Sam who also run with us!)

An epic Run Club adventure, starting with a Water Taxi across to Brod Bay, then a 10km run through the Kepler Track and back to town via the Lake2Lake Trail.

Definitely a 2025 Run Club Highlight!! taken in Te Anau, New Zealand by @runnersnz

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8 months ago

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“I actually started road running years ago as a way to keep fit and keep myself accountable. I did a sort of couch-to-5K, but for me, it was never about pace; it was about enjoying the moment and taking everything in.

For the longest time, I only ran on the treadmill because I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to breathe outside. That was just my thing all through uni — my happy place. Eventually, I went for a run outside with my dad, and I genuinely thought I was going to die because I couldn’t breathe, but I stuck with it. And slowly, I started to see progress. Not just in my pace or technique, but in my mental health too — which is way better when I keep running consistently. As soon as that drops off, everything goes back to chaos!

I was diagnosed with ADHD about a year and a half ago. My brain is constantly on — it’s like a motor that never switches off. Running is the only time it goes quiet. When I’m out there, I’m completely in the moment, noticing everything around me instead of thinking “you should be doing this” or “you haven’t done that yet.” My mind is still. It’s genuinely therapeutic. Especially trail running, it’s the best escape I’ve found. If I can’t run because of an injury, my mental health really takes a hit because I lose that clarity and sense of calm.

When I first started running, I didn’t even know I had ADHD. I honestly thought everyone’s brain worked like mine — all that chaos going on in the background. I started for fitness, but it ended up helping me in ways I never expected.

At first, it was all road running. I built up to 10km and eventually hit my peak with a half-marathon. But everything changed when we moved to Queenstown and discovered trail running.

What I love most about the trail community is how supportive it is. The focus isn’t on pace or distance; it’s about connection. The first questions people ask isn’t “How fast did you go?” but “Did you enjoy it?” or “What snacks did you bring?” or even “Where did you get those socks?” It’s such a beautiful, welcoming community.”

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Lauren @neuroduo @laurenlou3
(Queenstown)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ taken in Queenstown, New Zealand by @runnersnz

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9 months ago

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“Cricket was my main sport growing up and into adulthood, and running was just something I did away from that when I didn’t have that outlet of energy. I would just put my shoes on and run as fast as I can for… well, not very far. But that was my idea of running – to just go out and get this energy out of me, because otherwise, I just felt like my skin was crawling.

Eventually that running transitioned into doing parkrun, which was the next thing beyond just running like a nutter. And then my natural competitive nature meant that I was trying to get faster and faster and faster.

Looking back now, it’s all the signs of ADHD – like needing to get rid of this energy, this crawling skin. Sitting in the house and not being able to sit still, that feeling that you need to do something to feel content, that constant battle of trying to get to a place where you feel ‘right’. Like if I went to bed and I hadn’t done any exercise, more often than not, I’d feel like that was a shit day, that I hadn’t done what I should have done, and I’d probably end up ruminating over and over, again and again.

I took an indefinite break from cricket a few years ago because I wanted to explore more of New Zealand, and without really realising, I was trying all these new sports and new hobbies, probably trying to fill that gap… which again is a very ADHD thing. I’d move onto something new and it would be very exciting initially and I’d get a big kick of dopamine, go all in, buy everything, spend a shit load of money, and then one day I’d wake up and realise, I don’t actually like this anymore. Then I’ve got all this stuff I need to get rid of! But running, that was the one thing which was constant throughout this madness.

I still hadn’t been diagnosed as autistic at this point and a therapist mentioned autism to me in a session. It wasn’t even really a word in my vocabulary, let alone something I associated with myself. I was just like, that can’t be me! I socialise, I do all these things against the stigma, I just couldn’t believe it...”

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Tom @neuroduo @thomaskear
(Queenstown)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ taken in Queenstown, New Zealand by @runnersnz

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10 months ago