Taikona Wheadon (Ngāpuhi) is running more than 1,000km from Scotland to England in memory of his father, who he lost to cancer almost a decade ago.
Known as Tai, the ultra runner is attempting to break the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the JOGLE route - running from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.
“What I’m doing on this feature is an 800-mile, 1,500-kilometre multi-day event. It’s just basically the highest end spectrum of running,” he says.
Running for 12 days straight, the 30 year-old sets his sights on becoming one of the world’s top UTMB 100K athletes.
He whakatairanga i tōna Māoritanga
This run is deeply personal for Tai, who says his father’s passing inspired him to take on the challenge.
“My father passed away from cancer when I was 21, and I just wanted to do something for my people.”
Tai was born and raised in Australia but has whakapapa to Ngāpuhi through his father, who he credits with connecting him to his culture.
“He taught me all about my culture growing up and I think he was pivotal in creating the man that I am today. He was a very proud Ngāpuhi man,” he explains.
“I was brought up in Australia and every opportunity he had, he tried to connect me with my whānau back in New Zealand and I’m super grateful for it. [I] just wish he could witness what I’m doing right now.”
For Tai, the run is also an opportunity for representation and cancer research awareness.
“I just kind of want to bring my culture to this type of sport and bring some awareness to cancer research at the same time and do something in honour of my father.”
Kia horapa ngā tauoma inati ki Aotearoa whānui
Over the past two years, he has made his mark on the UK ultra-running scene, taking first place in seven ultra marathons across the world.
He says the JOGLE challenge is one of the toughest endurance feats, with a low completion rate.
“I think the success rate of the run I’m doing is around two per cent. So for every 100 people that attempt this challenge, around two of them will succeed.”
While Aotearoa has established ultra-marathons such as the Southern Lakes Ultra (250km) and Tarawera Ultra-Trail (160km), there is currently nothing on the scale of a full-length Aotearoa challenge.
Tai hopes his journey will help grow the profile of ultra-running in Aotearoa and inspire more Māori to take up the sport.
“Maybe I’ll get a squad along and maybe one day do the length of New Zealand and the length of Aotearoa,” he says.
“[Māori have] the warrior gene, and ultra running is pure mental grit and determination. I know our people, we’re born with that grit and determination. So I think we can excel in it.”
