A week-long attempt at setting a Guinness World Record has been underway in Christchurch since Sunday, with athlete Emma Timmis hoping to run a staggering 833km in seven days for charity.
The catch? Timmis is running on a treadmill - with her mission solely based at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub in Wigram. If she succeeds, it will be her fourth Guinness World Record to date, this time for 'Greatest Distance on a Treadmill in One Week'.
Friday marks her sixth day clocking up the kilometres, successfully passing the 500km mark on Thursday afternoon and hitting 600km at 9:30am this morning. To reach the 833km target, Timmis has started running at 5:30am each day and doesn't stop until 10pm - that's 16.5 hours.
The endeavour is to raise money for Speed Freaks, a charity that supports recovery from addiction and mental distress through running, walking and building community.
If there's any person for the job, it's Timmis. The athlete, motivational speaker and artist already holds three Guinness World Records, including the record for the 'Fastest Crossing of New Zealand on Foot' - a challenge that took her 20 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes and 57 seconds.
Her other World Records include 'Longest Journey by Elliptical Cycle in a Single Country' in 2017 and last year, she achieved the 'Greatest Distance on a Treadmill in 48 hours' - completing 340.36km.
Other accolades include being the first person to roller-skate across the Netherlands; the first person to run 3974km across Africa from Namibia to Mozambique; and the first female to run across South Africa - a 2400km journey from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town.
Speaking to AM on Friday morning from her treadmill, Timmis admitted that while she still has hope for setting the record, there have been "a lot of obstacles" throughout the week, including the physical toll on her body.
"You just never know what's coming next," she told AM's Mitch Redman. "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.
"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."
Part of that community on Friday were the Crusaders, with several players coming to the Sports Hub to show their support for Timmis.
Speed Freaks director Anna Christophorou said she believes Timmis can set the record, describing her as "determined" and a "strong wahine".
If you would like to donate and support Timmis' world record attempt, you can text RUN to 4741 to donate $3, or you can donate directly through the Raisely site here or by searching 'Tready World Record'.
Watch the interview above.
