Sisters’ Trailwalk triumph

FAMILY SPIRIT: Michelle Russ (left) and Janine Kiely, with late sister Toni Thomson’s oldest son Oliver (right) and Michelle’s sons Jake (7) and Harry (5) on the Oxfam Trailwalk. TC150408GJ1

By GRANT JOHNSTON

The commitment by Janine Kiely and Michelle Russ to walk the Oxfam Trailwalk as a tribute to their late sister, Toni Thomson saw them complete the 100km plus journey and raise almost $3000 for Oxfam.

Team ‘See you in the Sunrise’ started as a team of four, although it was Michelle and Janine who finished together. Team member Huia O’Sullivan completed the walk also, but came in at a different time to Michelle and Janine. They started at 6am on Saturday April 5, and finished at around 10am on Sunday April 6, and completed close to 114 kms in 28 hours.

The hardest leg for the women was the second to last leg (14kms) up a mountain, at around 3am. Janine’s feet by this stage were covered in blisters, and Michelle was suffering from a knee injury. What got them through was the fact that they were doing the walk for their big sister - who was killed in a kayaking accident last year.

Toni and Michelle’s children were part of the support crew, and Toni’s oldest son Oliver (7) met them at every pit stop, whether it was 10pm or 3am he was there supporting and encouraging his aunties. The support crew was amazing, made up of the sisters’ parents - Mike Kiely and Trish Short - Mike Thomson, Helen Irwin, Andrew Fraser, Lesley Eagleston Rod Voyce and Ritchie Dolman.

‘‘By the 90 km, it was no longer a physical challenge, but more a mental challenge,’’ Janine says.

Michelle and Janine had walked by themselves up a mountain, and hadn’t seen any other teams for around one hour, and all they had to go on was a single green glow stick every few kilometres.

Around 280 teams were involved in the Oxfam Challenge, and around 30 of these teams did not finish.

The sisters’ commitment to Oxfam was to raise $3000, which they have almost achieved. They were very appreciative to everyone who has supported the cause by donating money or buying raffle tickets.

The sisters are now having a well-earned break before they begin training for next year’s 100 km walk.