Mark Boon - Achilles Christchurch Guide

Mark Boon’s journey into running wasn’t something he set out to do. It began unexpectedly in June 2019, while attending a speech by an old friend who was unwell.

Something about that moment made him think, “Why not?” Two months later, he found himself volunteering with Achilles New Zealand, and everything changed.He got started through a family acquaintance and was soon encouraged by a friend to guide an athlete named Mike.

Mark decided to give it a crack, went down to check it out, and quickly got involved.What started as curiosity turned into commitment. He began running regularly with Mike Asmussen, attending Achilles sessions, and helping others in the process.

“You forget yourself, how much those moments truly mattered,” he says.It became more than just running—it became a way to give back and feel part of something real. Mike, he says, was “their guy,” and guiding him was what opened the door to longer races like half marathons.

Mary Rogerson - Achilles Waikato Guide​​​​​​​

THERESA AND MARY HIT LONDON!

Theresa and her Guide, Mary, both part of Achilles Waikato, are just weeks away from participating in another international marathon.

We spoke to Mary in the lead up to this lifetime event for both of them and what it means to her to support Theresa:

1. Mary, you both completed the NYC Marathon, walking together in 2024, what learnings and experiences did you take out of that event/trip?

"I definitely loved having the support of the Achilles group, so with London we have gone with Marathon Tours so that we can have a "gang" of New Zealanders alongside us.

Achilles is very recognised and receives a huge amount of support from other athletes. I know NYC in particular know Achilles but I'm hoping we will see that in London as well.

Enjoy the scenery and the party. Yes, we want to walk fast but finish time isn't everything and we have to remember to enjoy the experience. The supportive crowd watching was wonderful in NYC and I have heard that London is the same so I'm looking forward to that."

2. What made you decide to do the London Marathon coming up?

"For me it's one of the big marathons and we have friends in the UK and it's about time we visited.

People often say to me that I could do these marathons on my own rather than with Theresa - they are right, I could indeed. But I wouldn't. I am basically a runner but wouldn't train to run another marathon and yes, I could walk a bit faster on my own but going in these events with Theresa gives me the excuse to do it.

So, when Theresa, after NYC, expressed an interest in doing London one day of course I said that I'd be up for it. When Theresas mum reminded me of this some months later I had no recollection of having actually said that (but also absolutely know that I would have). so here we are!"

3. What has your training looked like leading up to London and has there been any setbacks?

"We have been training hard. Just like with NYC we got a bit ahead of ourselves and were up to about 30km walks several months out so dropped it back slightly.

I run four times a week and have two gym sessions and just the one, increasingly longer, walk.

Theresa uses walking as her primary mode of transport so clocks up a heap of km in addition to our training. She also goes to the gym and swims as well.

Winter training can sometimes set us back if it is super wet but generally, we've been trying to continue regardless as London in spring could throw any conditions at us so we need to not be scared of it raining all day.

Theresa tripped on a cobble stone last week 3km into our 33km walk. She now has bruised and grazed knees, and our pace was generally a bit slower for that walk so I'm guessing her knee did affect that but she's tough and carried on."

Anything else you would like us to know?

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the sights of London that the marathon passes by. While I've been there before it was a long time ago and haven't spent heaps of time actually in the city, more out of it with friends.

I like that the course doubles back on itself and I'm really really hoping that we can see the athletes coming the other way and that our timing is such that we see the leaders.

Oh - that was a great thing about NYC, our special athletes with disabilities start right after the elites. It meant that we didn't have to hang around for ages and finished before it was dark. Unfortunately, London doesn't seem to offer that so we could be starting as late as 11.30."

Theresa has a Givealittle page and has been fundraising to get Mary and herself there. You still have time to donate - https://givealittle.co.nz/.../walk-the-world.../updates

Susan Craig - Achilles Dunedin Guide

Susan has been a part of the guiding team at the Dunedin chapter of Achilles since they relaunched in October of 2024."It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience spending time with, and learning from, our athletes" 

Susan says."Only a couple of weeks after we started, I was asked to guide my first blind athlete.I was very lucky to guide a chap, with a tether, who had been guided many times before.

Michael was chatty and patient and encouraging, and I soon realised that to guide someone you must be 100% aware of your surroundings at all times and make them aware of any obstacles, changes in terrain and changes in direction clearly and quickly.

Poor Michael nearly had a bush slap him in the face within the first five minutes of our walk but I haven’t fallen in to that trap again."

Not disheartened by the first test, Susan has thrown herself back into guiding, not just Michael but also expanding to working with a young woman. 

Joining the Achilles crew has been "brilliant" for her – she loves spending time with like-minded people, some of whom she knew prior to the chapter’s relaunch, and some of whom she has only just met.