Christchurch, New Zealand – Since Sunday, athlete Emma Timmis has been on an ambitious quest to set a new Guinness World Record by running an astonishing 833 kilometers in one week, all on a treadmill. Her effort, taking place at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub in Wigram, aims to raise funds for Speed Freaks, a charity dedicated to aiding recovery from addiction and mental distress through physical activity and community support.
As of Friday, marking her sixth day on the treadmill, Timmis has surpassed 600 kilometers, having reached the 500-kilometer milestone on Thursday afternoon. To meet her target, she has been running from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, totaling 16.5 hours of running each day.
This potential record would be Timmis’s fourth Guinness World Record. Her previous records include the ‘Fastest Crossing of New Zealand on Foot,’ which she completed in 20 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes, and 57 seconds, the ‘Longest Journey by Elliptical Cycle in a Single Country‘ in 2017, and the ‘Greatest Distance on a Treadmill in 48 Hours,’ with a distance of 340.36 kilometers achieved last year.
Timmis is no stranger to remarkable feats. She was the first person to roller-skate across the Netherlands, the first person to run 3974 kilometers across Africa from Namibia to Mozambique, and the first female to run across South Africa, covering a 2400-kilometer route from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town.
During an interview with AM’s Mitch Redman on Friday morning, Timmis discussed the numerous challenges she has faced throughout the week, including the significant physical and mental toll. “You just never know what’s coming next,” she said. “I’ve got to keep digging deep. The mental challenge is the challenge – I’m dizzy all the time. I’m moving, the screen’s moving, there’s lights outside, I’m constantly dizzy. I’ve got nausea all the time; I was vomiting the other day. It’s really, really mentally challenging.”
Timmis emphasized the importance of self-care and community support, highlighting the essence of Speed Freaks. “The only way I’m going to get through this is by looking after myself, having a great community around me that’s supporting me, and that’s what Speed Freaks is all about.”
On Friday, members of the Crusaders rugby team visited the Sports Hub to offer their encouragement. Speed Freaks director Anna Christophorou expressed her confidence in Timmis’s ability to set the record, calling her “determined” and a “strong wahine.”
Supporters can contribute to Timmis’s world record attempt by texting RUN to 4741 to donate $3 or by donating directly through the Raisely site, searching for ‘Tready World Record.’
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