Global news: Te Araroa trailblazer ups Project Crimson's profile

Photo / Jon Saunders

English-born, Australian adventure runner Richard Bowles is set to create an ultra-distance trail running record in New Zealand. Bowles has been running the 3054 km Te Araroa trail, which runs the length of the motu from Cape Reinga to Bluff, where he aims to arrive on the 15th of December.

He's crossed fast-flowing rivers, taken a few tumbles down some of our sleep mountainous slops and chanced it in avalanche prone areas, but Bowles says that the natural beauty of New Zealand is inspiring. "It's absolutely stunning; every day is another bit of paradise."

Running (and sometimes crawling) since the 13th October, Bowles is raising awareness and funds for Project Crimson, a leading conservation organisation which aims to re-establish native vegetation, while supporting and coordinating research, pest control and education.

Despite spending a minimum of 8 hours a day running, Bowles still managed to snatch some time and plant a tree with Project Crimson's Bridget Abernethy and Melanie Seafort on the Te Araroa trial in Wellington.

Today, Bowles will arrive in Queenstown and will be a guest at celebrity chef Josh Emmet's new restaurant Rat Dining. Emmet has teamed up with Project Crimson and will offer a portion of the price of their new Rata Crimson lunch to the charity.

This is not the first foray into awareness-raising through adventure running that Bowles has taken. Earlier this year he was the first person to run the world's longest marked trail raising funds for SANE Australia, a mental health organisation.

In fact, Bowles has run the equivalent of a staggering 127 marathons over the last 5.5 months and crossed some rugged, wild terrains, earning a reputation as a cross between Bear Grylls and Forrest Gump. "The trail less travelled offers the best adventures, and I'm all about challenging myself on a daily basis," he says.

For more info go to www.richardbowles.com.au