Jupbrown

Awesome awesome awesome was all I could say when I got the call from Malcolm to say he had a entry to the London Marathon. Of course I said yep Ill go and run for R4T.

Hit the Expo to pick up my bid and timing chip and had a look around, lots to see and people to listen too, everyone excited which makes the run seem easier which is how I do these runs, think of the fun and worry about the running when I have too,.

  

This wall was great, everyone writing messages to family and friends, making wishes for success . Mine was to drop a little line in for R4T which I hope some of these amazing runners will come and join us on.

  

Not sure if I bought the sunshine but man it was out . loved it. Thanks London.

  

New Balance hooked me up with some new shoes and they are awesome, so comfy . Even a brand new pair just slips straight on and I can run with no worries. Thanks so much to NB for their continued support.

Also my new Jersey from Bluetag, Ken and the team have been helping me since my japan run and have made it so much fun and helped me get to where I am now, Thankyou so much.

Early start just to get to the start line and even though I didn’t know where I was going just had to follow the red bags and I made it.

  

3 Start points and I was in the Green. Only 3000 starters here compared to 30,000 in the red. Wow thats thats alot of peeps.

START!!!! Go

   

I haven’t ever run with this many people today, A long way from the Himalayas The High-222km or evening running NZ but it was cool to have everyone to run with. The thing I did find was that not many people were talking, haha maybe I was suppose to be running a bit faster . Sun shining and new shoes I was loving it.

  

Yep just ahead of Spiderman here but I think he got me near the end. Really great with everyone supporting different charities and dressing up. Lots of people had their names on their t-shirts and the crowd were calling their names as they run past, A great idea but I did get the feeling when people were having a little walk that when someone yelled out ” you can do it ” and ” keep going” that it might have been a pain.

  

About when I hit the 5 kms mark the Wheelchair boys were crossing the finish line . Amazing athletes.

The great thing about this run is you pass so many famous spots, running over London bridge down the busy streets and no cars was great.

  

My favorite sign of the day!!!! SHUT UP LEGS.

Just when you might be feeling the pain you get Big Ben pop up in front of you and the crowds are going crazy down this final 2 miles.

  

  

Around the last corners and quick hi to the Queen on the left there.

  

And there it was My 3 rd run for the year 8 (yes a bit lazy ) but happy to have made it 42kms. I made it in 4hrs 43mins which I was happy with.

  

Got my medal and was heading to meet Katy and her mate who had takin most of these photos and cheered me along the way. She found me in all those people which I thought was amazing. Thanks so much Katy.

        

SO FIrst run completed for Run 4 Tomorrow and so excited to get going and runt he world, Huge thanks to Malcolm for giving me the chance to run today.

Check out R4T at        www.r4t.org

Well during the Ski world cup I work with the ZUN team who do the MC’ing and music for the comp and Zun as also been supporting me on my runs, They hooked me up with my support van last yr which is a huge thing. 4 months they sorted me that van.

Well Zun is working all over the place in winter and asked me to help out so of course I said yes.

 

So Off to to Nagano Hakuba it was for a week to be sound crew for the 50th All Japan Technicial ski champs. Something so different to what I always do but I loved just getting to met new folks and hitting new hills.

  

 

Hakuba is a huge mountain and well even huger mountain behind it, so beautiful to see.

We set up the speakers that the Mc would use and when watch the guys do their thing all day before packing up at night, sweet job aye. I dont knwo that much about skiing and sure couldnt really pick who was better than the other as they were all damn good.

  

 

Sic views of the hills and of the X-Gloo tents that Gaku Hirasawa my great friends brings in to Japan from Germany. Super easy to erect tents and damn strong too.

Once we had sorted that comp I was off to Tokyo to Met with Gaku from Deporture and Ken Imaya from Buff and Bluetag Japan.

They have both been supporting me and I wanted to get them in on R4T . Bluetag supports some of the top athletes in Japan and I was hoping that we could work toegether and do something t make the Japan leg at least a special one.

  

 

But first I dropped in on the MOJO Coffee team in Tokyo, Mojo coffee is made in New Zealand and this is their first shop in Japan. They also supported me last yr on my Indian run. Great to see the cafe open as when I met them last yr it was un construction. Well done to Jason and Kenji san for making it happen.

 

 

After a awesome metting with Ken and Gaku at Bluetag headquarters  abotu R4T they asked what i was up too. I was just heading back to Listel to help out again when they asked me to come help them at the Japan Para Ski Championship back in Hakuba.

  

 

So yes of course I was up for it and 2 days later I was back in Hukaba getting set up to help the Wheelchair Athletes .

  

 

We set up the Bluetag tent and had the red carpet out to help the guys and girls be able to get up onto the snow from the carpark. and into their ski chairs. Now you have to see these guys and what they can do. We aren’t needed but it makes it a little easier.

  

 

Was great to see and met everyone and have yet another comp of something totally different in my bag of tricks.

I learn’t so much this week, and cant wait to help out again.  Olympians and future olympians all here battling it out for the top spot.

  

 

While there I also met Saito San. Now he and he mate have invented a new handle system for the wheelchair called JINRIKI.

It is a simple idea and it is 2 hamdles that just click on to the chair and able you to then lift the front wheels off the ground and pull the chair along . It works amazlinly and I think that it will be huge to help those who need it.

Saito san gave a couple of sets to the Japanese Para Olympic team which they can take on their trips .Awesome idea and great man who thought of it. Let me know if you want to know more or get one.     JINRIKI WEBSITE

  

 

Cheak out these chairs, So Awesome and damn these boys fly. amazing balance. Just watching them get in and out of them is hard enough so they are fitted so well to each person body for maxium response.

  

 

3 guys here in the green are the top 3 boys in the Japanese team and also Olympic gold medals and World champ. Wicked new friends .

Also Lincoln Budge from Aussie was here . great to met some one from down under and watch him win 3rd on the last day of competition.

Huge congrats bro

  

 

Me and Gaku worked together for the 2 days and then Ken came to change with Gaku , we werent struggling I tell you that when it came to eating, Great food and room in Hakuba. thanks so much

 

great new friend Nobuko chan who was busy all week in the office and on the hill. Otsukaresama

 

  

 

After 2 weeks away from Listel I arrived back to a closed hill, yep all the snow was gone and spring was coming. But I was happy as it means i can chill out and think aboutyet another great yr in the snow.

Thanks Japan

 

Yep I left Aussie summer and headed into Winter back in Japan . I have been coming here for 8 yrs now and just love it.

  

 

I work at the Freestyle Mogul SKi World Cup which is held at Listel Ski fantasia in Inawashiro Fukushima.

I help build the course and I shape the jumps which I love to do. The best skiiers and olympic champs come and play on our course, can’t get better than that I reckon. Getting to do this every year even though it is a bloody hard job I’m just so happy.

  

  

 

With awesome views to look at everyday and well a super steep course of 40 degress to work on it doesnt get much better.

Now below you can see what it looks like before we start, not the flattest hill and yes bloody steep. No machines are used at all so yes that means lots of shoveling. I mean LOTS . it takes about 4 – 5 weeks from start to finish to get it in perfect condition as we have to make snow most nights and move it in the days.

   

 

then sometimes as here we might go home at night with a jump 3/4 done and arrive in the morning to it being gone.

  

 

we had heaps of snow this yr which yes is a good thing but when the course is almost done it just means you have to dig it out again. and when 1 meter of snow falls that7s a lot of digging. Thanks to Pete Jackson at Pembroke Plumbing Im not bad on a shovel. hehe

  

 

But this was so much snow, about 1.5 mtrs on the jump area. nothing half a day on the shovel wont fix aye.

  

 

This year we didnt have any staff so it was made by just 4-5 of us, depended on what day it was to how many people there were. Somedays just me.

  

 

But this Listel team are amazing I mean there is no way that this event wont go ahead. They have been doing it for yrs now and have some great skills and power when it is nended.

I love shaping the jumps and they are my babies, There is nothing better than the olympic and world champion coming up to you as well as all the amazing athletes telling you you have the best jumps out there and are kept so clean it is amazing. I will back my back to have that said to me and I couldnt do it without my team here. You guys and girls ROCK.

  

  

 

There is 2 days of training before the 2 days of competition  and with the course looking SIC it’s on.

We get great crowds here at Listel as they have had comps here for over 20 yrs now. It is famous for this Mogul course named DAFFY.

  

 

Not a bad view from my work place here at the 1st jump . Bloody busy here as we are at 36 degress and being so steep means the snow moves when the guys ski it so always and I mean always shoveling something .

Below is some of the amazing Skiiers that take part here and it’s always great to see them each yr.

  

  

 

Once the comp is done I’m pretty broken, 5 weeks digging everyday is one way to get the body fit . I wake up at night with champs from holding the shove to much, but its all good.

 

Then for the rest of the season I work with the ski patrol and ell relax in the sunshine. cant beat it!!

Thanks Listel again for a great season!

  

Now have a listen to this.

While I was out in the Aussie desert I got a email from my friend Rajat from India, He is the man behind “THE HIGH” a 222kms race that I did back in August 2012.

 

Rajat emailed me saying that he had a new adventure for me and that he had put my name down and I only had to say YES if I wanted to be apart of it. Now it someone says that to me then it doesnt take much for that YES.

RUN FOR TOMORROW was the name of the event. Now listen to this,      R4T Website

7 months on the road, 32 counties, 10 runners running a marathon each one after the other in relay styles AROUND THE WORLD!!!

Starting Sept 15th and should finish around end of march 2014.

Well I almost fell off my chair, I was so excited and well blowin away that I could even be thought of for a run like this.My mate Rajat below here. The man who has set my heart of fire about this run.

Rajat Chauhan (India)

Dr. Rajat Chauhan is a sports medicine doctor from India, and the founder and medical director of ‘Back 2 Fitness’ – a chain of sports medicine and musculoskeletal medicine rehab centres across India. He is also a columnist for the Mint Business newspaper in India, and the owner, race director and medical director of La Ultra – the world’s highest altitude ultramarathon (up to 17,700 feet), held in northern India. Rajat has served for several years as the medical doctor for a number of marathons in India, and brings to the team over 27 years of running, including several years in England where he did his medical training. He has run in events ranging from middle distance to ultramarathons, including over 100 official and unofficial marathons.

 

The man behind R4T is Malcolm Anderson, a kiwi who now lives in Canada.

Now I get this mail saying you want in and I reply with probably the funnest relay ever , I was so excited that I dont even reckon it was english I was writing, I just anted to be a part of this run in some form. Runner, Crew, driver, orange boy I didnt care. Unknowin to me was that Rajat sent my email straight to Malcolm saying “well there is why I think Jup could be a go for R4T Malcolm”.

 

Malcolm Anderson: Founder & Exectutive Director of R4T

Malcolm has run close to fifty marathons and ultra-marathons, including the 90km Comrades Ultra-marathon in South Africa, the double marathon at the Connemara International in Ireland, the Tahoe Triple marathon in the United States, and the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days Challenge in the Lake District in England. Malcolm gives talks on running and motivation, writes articles on marathon running, and has also written four books on marathon running including The Marathon Maniacs: The world’s most insane running club (2012); The Messengers (2011); and A Marathon Odyssey (2009). He was also the host and co-producer of a television show called ‘26.2 and Beyond: A Marathon Journey’, which followed the training of several runners as they prepare for marathons and ultras. Malcolm received his PhD at Queen’s University, Canada where he continued for eighteen years as a member of the faculty of health sciences, conducting health services research and program evaluation. More recently he was involved in the national consultation on Canada’s new physical activity guidelines. Although a New Zealander, he currently lives in South Eastern Ontario, Canada.

 

R4T is a marathon relay of 10 elite runners , someone running at all times of the day or night, yep the baton never stops moving. It will start on 15th Sept 2013 in Ottawa Canada. Holy shit.

Below are the first of the 10 runners as Malcolm and his team are searching the globe for people crazy enough to want a piece of this amazing charity event.

  

 

Dave Major (United Kingdom)

Dave has run over fifty marathons each year, every year, since 2006 and has completed more marathons than any other runner in Britain in the last 5 years. He has run a marathon in 30 countries. In total he has completed over 450 marathons and ultra-marathons. In 2008 Dave collected 3rd Place in North America for the most marathons completed by a runner. In 2009 he went one better with 2nd place.

Linda Major (United Kingdom)

Linda has run more than 300 marathons. She is currently second in the UK for the most marathons completed by a female. She has run a marathon in thirty different countries, and was the first female to run 52 marathons in one calendar year in the UK. She has won numerous awards for her marathon running and coaches new and aspiring runners to attain their goals.

  

 

Gavin Goodwin (South Africa)

Gavin started running in 1999. In addition to numerous marathons he has run the world renowned 56 mile ultra-marathon Comrades race nine times with a best time of 9:21 hours, and has run the Two Oceans 56km Ultras in Cape Town seven times. He typically runs an average of four marathons, Comrades and Two Oceans a year, and trains an average of 1000km in the six months leading up to Comrades. Gavin played professional squash in Europe from 1985 – 1995 and returned to his home in South Africa 1995 and opened and ran his own business in Durban until 2009.

Steve Edwards (United Kingdom)

Steve has run over 500 marathons, and in 2013 to coincide with R4T he will have run over 500 marathons in under a 3:30 time. In 1990, at the age of 28, he became the youngest athlete in the world to run 100 marathons. Two years later, aged just 30, he passed the 200 marathon landmark, again, the youngest athlete ever to do so. In 1992 he also broke the world record for running the most marathons in a one year period, a total of 87. He has run the Brathay 10 Marathons in 10 days challenge four times.

  

 

Jane Trumper (Australia)

Jane started running when she was living in Japan in 1998. Her brother had just had his first heart attack and bypass surgery at the age of 38. His death has inspired her to help others lead a healthier life. Jane has run over 100 marathons and 50 ultra-marathons and was the first woman to complete the Australian Grand Slam of Australian Ultras (4 runs of over 100 miles in less than 4 months). In April of 2012 she became the first woman to run 664kms across The Simpson Desert (in 10 days, with temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius). Jane lives in Sydney, Australia. She works as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Anaesthetics, is married to Peter, and has three children and a Bernese Mountain Dog called Darcy.

Yolanda Holder (United States)

American Yolanda Holder is the current Guinness World record holder for “Most Marathons Run in a Calendar Year by a woman”, running 120 marathons in 2012 (beating her own previous world record). She is the only woman who has completed more than one hundred marathons in a calendar year twice. Yolanda has completed 423 marathons/ultras, including 11 consecutive days of official marathons in 2012 and 93 consecutive days of unofficial marathons in 2011. She has also completed six 100 mile races, with a best time of 25 hours. Yolanda writes, “Marathoning is a great way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy living and exercising. I have a passion for marathoning.” Yolanda is an Author, Motivational Speaker, wife and mother of two adult children.  Her mission is to promote good health, inspire, motivate, and encourage people of all ages to get out and get fit, while having fun.

  

 

 

Jesper Osen ( Denmark)

Jesper has been doing recreational running since the early 1980s. He completed his first marathon at age 15, and spent 10 years in elite marathon racing with a personal best of 2:27. He then moved into ultra-distance running, taking part in international competitions from 100km to 6-day races.

Jesper has completed two world runs. World Run 1, East-West was completed in 2004-2005 and World Run 2, North-South-North (worldrun.org) between 2008-2012. His World Run #1 consisted of 26,000km and his second world run totaled 37,000 kms!! He studied political science at university, and much of his time is currently focused on worldrunning, bookwriting and lectures.

Jup Brown ( New Zealand)

YEP and Me, hehe

Now this kind of event doesnt happen without an amazing team and R4T has just that.

Here is everyone at the moment who is working so hard to make this happen and Il will introduce them all real soon. I cant wait to meet everyone.

   

 

  

 

 

  

  

   

When I hit Aussie I aways go to the Gold Coast as i have lived there on and off over the past 5- yrs. Heaps of bro’s there and always fun to catch up .

Dan at DMShapes have been supporting me over the last 3 years in my runs and I can’t thank Dan and his team for that. If you are ever down on the Goldie and need a new board check them out. Click here     DMS

  

 

Then off to Perth to catch up on the Master Plumbers team who did a great write up on us with the run in Japan. I had RM Plumbing supporting me and they hooked us up with the Master Plumbers team. Went down to say thanks.

  

I had search so hard to find a job over here and was lucky to get introduced to Suncity Plumbing from Geraldton. My Mate Juice had hooked me up and I can’t say thanks to both Suncity and Juice for it, I was desperate. THANKS GUYS!!!!

 

This was my room for the next 3 months, I was in a small town in the middle of the desert, Newman. Not alot there but some amazing money to be made and to a broke runner like me it would be a life saver and a means to getting us back out to be able to do another adventure real soon.

  

While Im out here I get free board and food which is huge, Not having a home myself this becomes my home . there is everything you need as you work 11-12 hrs days for 4 weeks. And man is it hot, most days on the 40′s and sometimes hits 50. not the best place for a super non tanning white boy like myself but you have to wear long shirts and trousers and hat so not many chances of getting to burnt.

  

Yep Im a plumber and I dig lots of holes and put pipes in the ground. Not many people know what i do as I are always traveling or running. Well this is how I do it , I box on here for a few months, save every dollar I get and then shot off on an adventure. It’s not the best place to be but with a goal like that and or need to pay off the bills fast then you can not beat it. There is some awesome guys and girls working out here to so always make so great friends too.

  

You see these whirl winds out here everyday, The wind and heat working together. Amazing to watch.

Always someone having a beer and a chat at night so never lonely.

  

The Sunsets out here are off the hook too and a great way to finish a days work.

Making sure I dont forget how to run I read up on others adventures. Just keeps my mind in the game and well yes I do just love it.

I was working out here for 3 months and had a blast, HUGE thanks to Suncity Plumbing and the boys looking after me and for helping me out and I hope we can work together again soon.

 

 

 

When I are away from NZ I dont so much as miss it but as soon as I hit home from somewhere I think why was I away for so long. Man this country is beautiful.

A stop over in New Plymouth to hang with the Bublitz’s as I hadn’t seen them for ages, so great to see the girls growing up. ALso meet Another Katie from Canada there . Such a awesome lady.

Then it was home to Wanaka to see the family.

 

I was so broke when I arrive after living the dream for probably a bit to long this time but thats the way I like it and hit my old boss Pete from Pembroke plumbing up and the next day was on the tools again. First week we were up in the hills on a farm doing the plumbing for the new house and well just check the photos for the views.

  

 

I got these photos from Mikey of Tim who was down here for a comp and I just had to put them up, He walked around at the Wanaka Challange like this, Bloody wish I had of been there. Love ya work Timmy.

  

 

While I was in New Plymouth I caught up with a Local NP Newspaper who did a story of us while we ran NZ last yr and they did another one on our last couple of runs in Japan and India. Great to have their support even when I wasn’t in NZ. Thankyou so much always.

  

 

I was in big need of money to pay of the bills fromt he 6 months of running I had just done so started to make some calls to aussie, Yep I had to go again to Western Australia ,back into the desert and the 40-50 degree heat. But I knew if I did then I would be able to get back out and do another adventure sooner if I did.

So I borrowed some money off dad(Again, love ya dad) and flew off to Aussie.

Before heading home I went back to My japanese home of Hotel Listel Inawashiro in Fukushima. Amazing place to work at anytime of the year. They have looked after me  for the last 7 yrs. So many activities for everyone to enjoy.

  

 

My job was to help Koji with the Kayak tours in a near by Lake Onagawa.

  

 

With views of MT Bandai and a beautiful small lake I knew my next 3 weeks were going to be fun.

Me and Midori were the back up team as Koji led everyone off around the lake.

  

  

 

Can’t complain can I with a work place like this one. We would take about 20-30 people out twice a day for a 3 hr trip each. Including a swim at the mid point were we would throw the kids around off swings that we had made . great fun for them and me.

 

  

 

I was in Japan for about 6 months this time from winter though to running the country and the summer jobs so a goodbye party with the Listel team had to be done. My boss Kai and Unai san along with Koji and Tai chan a few coronas and sushi I couldn’t be happier.

Thanks so much guys Ill see you again in 4 months in the winter.

Otsukaresama