Back in August Hawke's Bay's Sophie Barr read a book called One Step Beyond.
It was written by Aucklander Mal Law who ran seven of New Zealand's great walks in seven days to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. Law's story inspired Barr, 21, to embark on a similar fundraiser - The Run for Arthritis: Sophie's 4 in 1 Challenge.
On November 23rd Barr, the 2009 Napier Girls' High School head girl, will attempt to complete a 30km run in Wellington which will involve 626m of climbing, taking in Mount Kaukau in Khandallah, the Northern Walkway, Brooklyn Windmill and Mount Victoria. "It's a course I've come up with by myself. It's a self-organised as well as a self-inflicted run. Putting my body through a bit of pain for one day is small in comparison to those who suffer from arthritis in their joints and bones every day," Barr explained.
What makes Barr's attempt such a significant feat is the fact she doesn't have a sporting background. Before the Victoria University student began training for the challenge her main source of fitness was a 15-year stint as a ballet dancer at the Rochelle Spence Dance Studio in Napier which ended five years ago.
"I've never been an athlete. But I played a bit of social netball and tennis during my school days," Barr said.