Massage therapist and ultramarathon runner moves business home

Maree Goldfinch has set up a massage studio in Campbell House after being back in town for three weeks. Photo / Bevan Conley

A Turakina local has moved back to the region after six years in Wellington to set up a massage studio in Whanganui.

Maree Goldfinch and her husband Cameron decided it would be a good lifestyle change to move back.

Goldfinch has a studio with osteopath Richard Littlejohn in Central Whanganui.

She is also an ultramarathon runner.

"I just got hooked. I thought a marathon was the limit, and this opened up a whole new world."

The craziest event she has done is an "S-K", north-to-south traverse of the Tararuas.

"You start at Eketahuna way in the hills and you traverse the whole range and you come out at Kaitoke near Upper Hutt.

"I did the Valleys, which was around 80km with a bit of verticals. First time I did it, it took around 22 hours."

Goldfinch believes she's the only person to do it once, and then go back the same way.

"I did it there in back and it took be 49 hours. My body was pretty trashed. It takes you a long time to recover, around six months before you can push the limits again."

She is enjoying the small time vibe of Whanganui after six years in the bustling capital.

"I thought I would find it hard to settle in, but it's so much chill compared to the hustle and bustle of Wellington."

After focusing on athletes for the past six years, Goldfinch is looking to broaden her horizons to therapeutic massage, relaxation massage and neuromuscular therapy.

"I just want to help as many people as possible, to whatever their health and wellness goal is. In the past, I've been really sports focused and helped athletes, both amateur or professional," she said.

"I really enjoy taking people from that post injury state where they are not quite up to scratch and get back into what they are doing."