Matariki Miles and the Long Road to Rakaia

Daily Miles: 42.37 | Total Miles: 5788.29

The alarm rang at 4:30am. No snooze, no second thoughts. I got up, packed my things, and by 5:30am, I was stepping out into the pitch-black morning. Headlamp on (worn backwards for visibility), reflective vest fastened, I was ready to cover over 40 miles on foot.

The day began quietly, retracing the path I had arrived on just yesterday, along Sumner Beach. But this time, there was no view — only streetlamps casting pools of light, a crescent moon hanging sideways in the sky (not the way I usually see it), and faint lights flickering in still-sleeping homes. I love the stillness of these early hours — when it’s just me, maybe a fellow runner or early dog walker, and the slow awakening of nature.

After weaving my way through Christchurch, around mile 10, I started to feel hungry. I found a bakery that wasn’t quite open yet, but the kind soul inside let me pick from what was ready. Most of the pastries had meat in them, so I settled on a very sweet slice of cake — not ideal fuel, but something. That’s when I learned it was a public holiday today: Matariki.

Matariki marks the Māori New Year, celebrated with the first rising of the Pleiades star cluster in late June or early July. I thought that was a beautiful synchronicity — beginning this run down New Zealand's coast on their New Year, a fresh chapter under a sky full of meaning.

Not knowing what services I’d find later on, I stopped at what might have been the last big supermarket in Christchurch and stocked up on food for the day and evening. As I ran on, a man struck up a conversation. Turns out his wife is from Thun! She came outside too, and we had a lovely little chat. It reminded me again how small and kind the world can be.

With still 30 miles to go, I allowed myself just one short stop at a quirky spot called Cookie Time, home of New Zealand’s most loved cookie. I grabbed a protein and energy bar and hit the road again. The route stretched out ahead, with snow-capped mountains on my right, rolling green hills on my left. The temperature was cool — perfect for running — and the sky was thick with clouds. No photo stops today; my mind was set on moving forward.

At mile 31, I found a small bakery and grocery. I had a simple egg sandwich — enough to fuel the final stretch. Just 11 miles to go.

The last section was mentally tough. The light was fading, and the drizzle came in waves. Not heavy rain, just enough to make everything feel damp and slightly colder. My focus narrowed: just get to the Rakaia River and make it across that bridge.

The bridge is over a mile long, with no shoulder, and cars whizzing past at 100 km/h. I braced myself for it. Drivers weren’t too thrilled to share the space, but I stayed safe, steady, and alert. Step by step, I crossed.

Finally, I arrived. Breon, the manager of the Holiday Park, greeted me warmly and handed me the key to Cabin 4. It’s basic — just a heater, a bed, and some walls between me and the outside world — but perfect for tonight. The Wi-Fi? Not the best. But the bed? Exactly what I need.

Dinner was whatever I had picked up earlier. Nothing fancy. The tiredness has settled into every part of me. I’ll sleep early tonight.

Day 182 is done. And tomorrow? Time for something new.

Good night, my friends.