Lisa Biography

Lisa's motto is to Live life to the full, to get out there and live your adventures.

After having already competed internationally in extreme endurance races for the past 13 years, Lisa became the first New Zealand woman and fastest ever New Zealander to complete the legendary Badwater ultramarathon in 2008, widely regarded as the toughest footrace on earth. This is a 217km non stop race through the hottest desert on earth. The race pits 90 of the worlds best ultra athletes against each other and the elements. The event is regarded as the unofficial world championships of ultrarunning.

Lisa has just returned form the United States on July 20th 2009 after having completed this gruelling race a second time and improving her time and ranking to number 8 and finished in an impressive time of 37 hr 14 mins.

Lisa was also named Maori Sports Woman of the Year and is the reigning 24 hr ultramarathon national champion. Lisa has also placed 2nd at the National 100km Championships for the past three years. In September Lisa will be representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth Champs in the Ultramarathon 24 hr race.

Lisa has previously competed in numerous international endurance
events including:

• Marathon des Sables (x2) - 240km race through the Moroccan Sahara.
• The Desert Cup - 168km nonstop race through Jordan.
• TransNiger - 222km race through the Tenere Desert, Sahara.
• Isar Run - 338km through Germany.
• Round the Mountain Run in Taranaki - 150km.
• Plus countless, 6 hr, 10hr, 12hr, 24 hr, 100km, 150km races, and marathons.

Despite an impressive CV Lisa is adamant "I am just an average person, I am not gifted with natural talent. I have had to work hard to overcome the many obstacles ultrarunning has presented me with. I have a burning passion for running and adventures, therefore, I want to share this passion and inspire others to get outdoors and exlpore the world."

"If you set your mind to it you can achieve anything! The only catch is that you have to want it enough to cope with the many sacrifices that will be asked of you. Anything worth achieving will require sacrifices, but in my experience, it is always worth it"

"I am often asked, What's my secret? No secrets, just hard work and perseverance and never giving up. You only fail if you stop trying" and that's a message she wants to take to the kids .

"Regardless of your age, weight, size, shape, race or your ability or lack thereof, get out there and get active, your body will love you for it!"