THE SPEED PROJECT X TEAM NEW ZEALAND

Excerpt from Sept. 7, 2020

By: Sammy Berryman

As the roads began to narrow, city lights faded away, and tires began to bounce from the dirt road below, it started sinking in; this was it, the beginning of our journey. We’d been preparing for it for the last 6 weeks not fully aware of what was about to take place. Would we make it? Would we enjoy it? What would break first, our bodies or our minds? 

Pitch black out with only the full moon for light, we were greeted by headlights, as we pulled into the parking lot to meet our photographer Sebastien Charles. Over the next 31 hours we learned that his passion for photography matched ours for running; Borderline insanity. 

Anticipation began to build with 10-minutes to go. We changed into our outfits; each runner dressing in exactly what suited them best throughout the night. My outfit - planned right down to my socks and underwear knowing that, although I wouldn’t be able to control the shape of our journey, I could control my preparation.

5-minutes to go

We gathered for a team photo

4-minutes to go

Nervous laughing began

3-minutes to go

Shoelaces were tightened

2-minutes to go

Headlamps flicked on

1-minutes to go

Silence.

30-seconds to go

The cheering began

15-seconds

The countdown was on

10 

This was where I was meant to be

5

With 4 other girls just insane as me

3

I felt at home

2 

Together we would make it

1

It’s was time

Go!