I Tried To Run Really Far: The physical and emotional battle of running New Zealand’s 3000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail.

by Lewis Matthews

Lewis Matthews is an adventurer and personal trainer from Somerset, in the United Kingdom. In 2018 he had the crazy idea of running a 3000km trail the length of New Zealand. The stunning Te Araroa trail encompasses beautiful beaches, pristine rainforest, vertiginous mountains and active volcanoes. It is a challenge to hike, let alone run. Nevertheless, this is what Lewis – with his support team of Jill, Phil, and their trusty Toyota van, Gerty – found themselves doing in January 2020. ‘ I Tried to Run Really Far’ , tells the story of this epic adventure as Lewis, setting out to break the trail record of 53 days, battles extreme physical and mental challenges – and some extra ones thrown in by Nature for good measure. It is an openly emotional account, sparing no detail of the gruelling difficulties – the failures as well as triumphs – involved in such an undertaking. Lewis set out to push his personal boundaries, raise money for a charity dear to his heart, and inspire others to find progress in their lives. Did he succeed? Read on to find out.