Wānaka’s ‘marathon woman’ Victoria Taylor will attempt to break the record for the time it takes to run the length of New Zealand later this year.

This will be the fourth time Victoria has attempted to break the record (18 days, nine hours and one minute) set by Ziggy Bauer in 1975. To break the record she will have to run approximately 130 kilometres a day

“I don’t think anything can stop me this time,” Victoria said.

“I’m mentally tougher now.”

Victoria gained local fame in 2023/2024 when she ran daily consecutive marathons around Wānaka’s streets for 498 days, stopping only when struck by influenza.

Read more: ‘It was a mission’ - marathon run ends due to influenza

She has just completed a run from Napier to New Plymouth (430km) and is organising other long distance training runs in preparation for her attempt to break the record for running the length of New Zealand.

While in New Plymouth Victoria met 85-year-old Ziggy Bauer, who said he believes Victoria can break his record.

Victoria Taylor with record holder Ziggy Bauer. PHOTO: Victoria Taylor

“I’m chasing Ziggy’s record, he wants me to beat it,” Victoria said.

When asked what advice Ziggy gave her, Victoria said “not to stop and eat the blackberries”.

Victoria will attempt to break the record for the time it takes to run the length of New Zealand in spring this year (2025).