Pushing Play To A Classy Chick Endurance Race

From an 85 kilogram “blob” to a regular competitor in endurance cycling and running events, Nelson City Council staffer Jacqui Irwin has a great story to tell.

Recently Jacqui, 44, and three council workmates came third as a relay team – the Nelson Classy Chicks - in their veteran women’s grade in the Molesworth Station Run which covers 84 kilometres of high country gravel track to Hanmer Springs. A year ago, the team of Jacqui Irwin, Kilmeny Stephens, Helene Boulton and Marg Parfitt won their grade in the annual event. 

“The conditions this year were extremely difficult with temperatures in the high 30s which no one was acclimatised to. We had huge highs and lows but got through thanks to team work and looking after each other,” Jacqui says.

Yet, four years ago, Jacqui, a strategic planner and iwi liaison officer for the council, says she couldn’t run to save her life.

“I was a blob after a decade of raising four boys and juggling family and work commitments. I emphasise my absolute ordinariness despite what I've achieved. Anyone can slim down, get fit and enjoy the many good things that follow. Being fit means you can stay on top of whatever life throws at you.”

Jacqui has become a regular solo competitor in events, last year becoming women’s 40 to 45 years champion in the Nelson Striders’ 25-kilometre Dun Mountain Run. She came third this year.

Jacqui, Kilmeny and Helene teamed up recently to finish third in their grade in the Spring Challenge Kaikoura adventure race which involved them working as a group to navigate, raft, hike, run and mountain bike in an all-day endurance test.

The women say team work is a great motivator. Their advice to others is to find role models among friends and workmates.

“There’s a core of really enthusiastic runners and cyclists at the council who have been an inspiration to me,” Jacqui says. “And the support I get on the home front has been vital in making it possible to train and participate.