Arleah Tippins

My name is Arleah, I'm 23 years old and have been born and bred here in Tauranga. I've always been heavily involved in a number of sports but my main sports have been Hockey and Running, specifically the longer distances (21km). I've recently started training for Ultra marathon distances starting with my first ever 50km Ultra down in Tekapo. Its great to be back on my feet as I haven't been able to race for the last 2.5 years due to injury but I'm now back, and driven to push myself to see what I can achieve.

I love running and the mindset it requires. It’s always been a big part of my life since primary school age. It gives me a sense of calmness and mental clarity being outside and exercising. On the other hand I love the challenge it presents, discipline it requires, the mental resilience you gain, the early starts and sense of achievement.

My biggest accomplishment to date is a recent one, as mentioned I've been out of racing due to a hip and shin issue for over 2.5 years where I last raced the City to Surf in a 1:26 (PB). I changed the way I approach my running and training and improved on my weaknesses, and I came out this season with my first race at the Mount Maunganui Half Marathon and ran a new PB of 1:18.02 and came first in the female category.

Over the next few years I want to complete some more Ultra Marathons but my primary goal is to bring my PB in the 21km down to sub 1:15.00. It's a task to say the least, but with the support of the Foundation Clinic and my coaches pushing me towards that goal, I feel it is achievable.