Achilles Waikato

22/08/2026

🎉 A huge shoutout to the incredible Theresa Pooley, who reached her 25th parkrun volunteer milestone today! 💜👏

Theresa is an amazing athlete who travels the world in pursuit of her goals. Whether it’s a marathon or a parkrun, she’ll be there with a smile, cheering on everyone around her - and showing that unmistakable raw determination when the mileage gets tough.

Today, however, we celebrate the time and energy Theresa gives back. Across 25 volunteer occasions, she has supported parkrun as a photographer, marshal, finish-token volunteer, tail walker and parkwalker. Each contribution has helped others participate, achieve their goals and enjoy being part of the parkrun community.

We love your work, Theresa! Thank you for giving your time so generously and for bringing such positivity, encouragement and determination wherever you go.

Congratulations on volunteer milestone number 25 - an awesome achievement! 🌟🙌🏃‍♀️

11/08/2026

#200 go Chris wahooo

200 Volunteers, Three Glasses and a Plate of Scrambled Eggs
By Roderick J Young

Read run report #265 here
https://www.parkrun.co.nz/universityofwaikato/news/

11/08/2026

🎉 Huge shoutout to our awesome guide, Chris! 🎉
On Saturday, Chris reached the incredible milestone of volunteering at 200 parkrun events—including 140 times at University of Waikato parkrun and 133 recorded occasions as a VI Guide! His true guiding total is even higher, as VI guiding was not formally recorded until early 2022, while Chris first guided Steve at Hamilton Lake parkrun on Christmas Day 2018.
These numbers are remarkable, but they tell only part of the story. Chris generously supports causes across conservation, education, accessibility and the wider pan-disability community. He says very little about his contribution—he simply turns up, gets involved and gets the mahi done.
Chris, your quiet commitment makes participation possible for so many people. Thank you for your reliability, generosity and the countless hours you give to others. We’re incredibly fortunate to have you in our Achilles whānau.
Congratulations on 200 volunteer events—an outstanding milestone and some truly awesome mahi! 💙👏🏃‍♂️🌟


Achilles International New Zealand
Achilles International
Hamilton Lake parkrun
University of Waikato parkrun

04/08/2026

one of our favorite events.

01/08/2026

01/08/2026

Awesome day in Taupo

05/07/2026

🏃‍♀️🦮♿ Expressions of Interest – Auckland Marathon & Round the Bridges 2026! 🎉

Achilles Waikato is keen to hear who's interested in taking part in two fantastic events later this year!

🌉 Runaway Auckland Marathon
📅 Sunday 1 November 2026

Whether you're planning to walk, run or wheel, we'd love to know if you're interested. Distances include:
🏅 Marathon (42.2km)
🏅 Half Marathon (21.1km)
🏅 11km
🏅 5km

While Auckland Marathon isn't one of our Pinnacle Events for 2026, and we're still working through what support Achilles may provide on the day, there will certainly be a strong Achilles presence. We'd love to have as many of our athletes, guides, volunteers and supporters there as possible!

More information:
https://aucklandmarathon.co.nz/entry-info/entry-info/

🌉 Lugton's Round the Bridges
📅 Sunday 15 November 2026

This is always one of our favourite local events, and this year is shaping up to be our biggest yet!

We're looking for expressions of interest in:
🏃 6km Walk/Run/Wheel
🏃‍♀️♿ 12km Run, Walk or Wheel

For our paid Achilles Waikato members, we're hopeful that entries will once again be free or available at a minimal cost, and as always we'll have an incredible Achilles atmosphere with guides, volunteers, supporters and plenty of finish-line celebrations waiting for you! 🎉🙌

More information:
https://roundthebridges.co.nz/

📧 Interested?

Please comment below, send James a message, or email the chapter with:
✅ Which event(s) you're interested in
✅ The distance you'd like to do
✅ Whether you'll be walking, running or wheeling

This is just an Expression of Interest at this stage, so even if you're still deciding, we'd love to hear from you.

Let's make Achilles Waikato highly visible at both events this year! 💚🦮♿🏃

Hamilton's favourite fun run returns 15 November 2026. Whether you walk, jog or race, the 12km, 6km or Kids Challenge has a distance for everyone.

24/06/2026

Kia ora Athletes and Guides,
Due to the severe weather conditions forecast for tonight, we’ve made the call to cancel tonight’s training. 🌧️💨⚠️
Please stay safe, keep warm, and look after yourselves out there. No session is worth taking risks in dangerous weather.
But here’s the good news: Sunday training is going ahead! 🎉👟💪
We’ll be back together then with plenty of Achilles energy, smiles, and forward momentum. Whether you’re walking, running, guiding, supporting, or cheering from the sidelines, we can’t wait to see you there. 🧡
Stay safe tonight, team — and bring that Achilles Cheer on Sunday!
Kia kaha,
Achilles Waikato 🧡👟🙌

11/06/2026

Mōrena koutou 👋
Just a quick reminder that Sunday training is still going ahead 🌥️
Partly cloudy skies with light winds - perfect weather for a run or walk! Please remember to dress warmly. 🥶
We encourage everyone to arrive before our 8:30am start so we can get underway smoothly ⏰
Looking forward to seeing you all there for another great session 💪😊
Ngā manaakitanga.
Best wishes,
The Achilles Waikato Crew

Achilles International New Zealand

06/06/2026

Achilles Waikato Whanau just love Kirikiriroa Marathon, Hamilton so this morning while some of our Athletes and guides were on the startline others were helping out marshalling at the start finish area plus helping out with drinks to make sure all runners had a fantastic hydrated day...


Achilles International New Zealand