The Tūwharetoa team at the Great Wall of China.

A group of determined individuals from Tūwharetoa has returned from the Great Wall of China with medals, life-changing memories, and a renewed sense of what’s possible through teamwork, preparation, and community support.

By Te Hapori Ora CEO and team lead, Brendon Eriksen-Downs

Eight members of Te Hapori Ora – The Village of Wellbeing – completed the Great Wall of China Adventure Marathon last week.

Known for its intense physical demands and iconic location, the event challenged the team with more than 5000 stone steps and rugged terrain.

For the team, the real victory was never just the finish line, it was the journey that got them there.

Their journey was made possible through hard work, grassroots fundraising, and the leadership of inspirational athlete Doug Healey, founder of Influence Crew New Zealand.

Doug has been instrumental in supporting and mentoring the group from Taupō, providing structure, belief, and hands-on preparation.

The team not only represented Aotearoa proudly but also had the honour of opening the international event.

Doug did more than get us to China, he helped us realise we belonged there. He invested his time and energy into helping us see this wasn’t just about a marathon - it was about becoming more of who we are and bringing that strength back to our people.

Out of this partnership, a regional chapter has now been born - Influence Crew Tūwharetoa — a platform created to inspire whānau and communities across the region to take that first courageous step toward personal transformation.

Behind each team member was a personal story, a reason for saying “yes” to this journey.

For some, it was about reclaiming their physical health. For others, it was about breaking intergenerational patterns or becoming positive role models for their tamariki.

For all, it was about committing to a greater vision of wellbeing, not just for themselves, but for the wider community.

This movement wasn’t about elite fitness it was about people from all walks of life showing up for themselves and discovering what they were truly capable of.

While the physical training was immense, wraparound support from local organisations helped hold the vision steady.

Pinnacles Health health coaches played a vital role throughout, offering more than just nutrition tips or blood pressure checks.

They walked alongside our people, they listened, encouraged, and helped shift mindsets.

For many of our team, the conversations with Pinnacles staff were as important as any training run. They made us feel seen and backed.

Te Whāriki Aroha, the local collective of health and social service providers, also provided meaningful support.

While not directly involved in the planning, their encouragement and practical tautoko were significant.

Two members of the collective even joined the marathon team, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Te Hapori Ora on the world stage.

We felt the strength of that collective spirit. The individuals who stepped forward reflected the heart of Te Whāriki Aroha — caring, committed, and present. Their support reminded us that this was bigger than just our team.

The team’s preparation began over 14 months ago at The Poutama Oranga Destination (POD) - a grassroots activation space on Spa Road, Taupō, supported by the Taupō District Council.

What began as early morning workouts, walking groups, and movement-based healing soon grew into a unified mission toward one of the most demanding marathons on earth.

Families, friends, local businesses, and volunteers rallied around the kaupapa, providing kai, fundraising support, and constant encouragement.

Though the finish line was in China, the energy that got them there was built at home.

“When one of us crossed the finish line, it felt like the whole community had crossed with us,” says team member Candis Brunning, who completed the 21km course.

Since returning, interest in The POD has continued to grow. More whānau are joining workouts, rangatahi are asking questions, and conversations about wellbeing are becoming more common and more hopeful.

Brendon Eriksen-Downs (left) and Doug Healy in China.

The team is now preparing for Gisborne’s First Light Adventure Marathon, joined by new participants and families who have since embraced the movement.

Influence Crew Tūwharetoa welcomes people of all backgrounds to walk, run, or simply take that next step forward - together.

Thanks to the dedication of Doug Healey, the guidance of Pinnacles Health Coaches, the presence of Te Whāriki Aroha, and the determination of a team that dared to dream, the impossible is now just the beginning.