A running club at the heart of rural New Zealand is making big strides in gender equality, encouraging girls and women of all ages to run cross country with them, Merryn Anderson discovers.
Every Saturday in the Manawatū, you’ll spot them in a woolshed - a throng of people from three years old to 70, all dressed in yellow singlets and enjoying a shared afternoon tea.
They just have to sweat a little first to enjoy the reward.
The Feilding Moa Harrier Club runs cross country, road and trail events every Saturday from April to October, drawing in casual and competitive runners alike to bound along in a supportive, family-friendly environment.
And more often than not, half of them will be female, as this club puts a real emphasis on getting more women and girls running with them.
The afternoon teas are a bonus.
Stephanie Walker has been part of Feilding Moa since 2017, and is now the first female vice-captain of the club. At only 19, she's also the youngest on the leadership team.
Around half of the club are women or girls, a significant increase from when Walker started running cross country.
“When I first started at Moas, there were only a few junior women,” says Walker. “I’m in the senior women this year, but now our junior women are absolutely booming, which is so cool to see.
"It’s more accessible and more acceptable for females to run than it used to be. And we're creating a community; we thrive off each other and challenge each other."
Walker grew up in Dannevirke, and started taking cross country seriously after winning the Manawatū inter-schools cross country competition when she was in Year 8.
“It was really hard because coming from Dannevirke, there were no female runners and there wasn’t a running club. Hence why I ended up at Feilding Moa,” she says.
Just how she ended up as a Moa is a charming story in itself.
Competing in the North Island championships as an individual when she reached Year 10, Feilding Moa offered Walker a spot in their tent on the cold day and had a chat with her about their club.
"I went along and the rest is history,” Walker says.
Walker’s ultimate goal is to represent New Zealand, competing in track in summer, racing the middle distance events of 1500m and 3km.
She currently studies sport and exercise science at Massey University, and also acts as a leader to those younger girls in the Feilding Moa club.
“I wish I could have had a female role model growing up, like a female runner who I could have aspired to be,” Walker says.
“I guess I try to fill that mold now, especially for our younger ones coming through - just being involved and answering any questions they have.”
The Feilding Moa Harrier Club was formed in 1939, and later paused during World War II; the club losing two of its members - C. Lee and W. Barrett - in active service.
The club has grown from 11 members to 200, with an ever-increasing number of girls and women running.
At their most recent Saturday race, there was an even split between genders - with over 100 women and girls running through the fields at Banners Farm near Halcombe.
While runners like Walker love the competitive aspect of it and have lofty goals, the Saturday vibe is very social.
Wendy Watts is one of the social runners, taking up the sport around four years ago. Now 58, this is her third season with Feilding Moa.
Unlike Walker, who loves the escapism of running, Watts thrives on the social aspect of the Saturday outings.
“I don’t run by myself. I’m not someone who will go out for a run by myself, even though I’ve tried,” she says. “I’m definitely a social runner, I run for the chat, and to meet different people.”
Watts was immediately struck with how diverse the club was, noticing runners with a wide range of ages and abilities.
“I just liked the idea of the community, the Saturdays, doing something different, running at farms, and definitely the social aspect of it,” Watts says, adding the increased fitness as a bonus.
Watts’ three grandchildren are involved in the club now - rven her three-year-old grandson had a go for the first time last week running in Mini Moa.
“It’s a great sport for all generations," she says. "My grandchildren run with me, it’s something we can all do as family and that’s what’s really cool about this club."
The women’s running movement is growing nationwide; Watts also runs with 261 Fearless in Palmerston North.
The running group is inspired by Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967.
Back then, women were prohibited from entering the marathon, so Switzer entered under 'K.V. Switzer' to avoid rejection. When the race manager attempted to rip her bib off as she ran, Switzer’s coach and boyfriend stepped in to protect her. Humiliated, then angry, Switzer carried on and finished the 42km race, making history.
Switzer had worn bib number 261, and in 2015, founded the now-worldwide group inspiring women through running.
Being part of women-only groups like 261 Fearless gave Watts the confidence to join a mixed club.
"I would never have joined a running group myself because I always thought they were more for your speedy and your serious runners,” she says.
Through events like the local but global Park Run movement, and running with 261 Fearless, Watts’ nerves subsided.
“I realised it’s not just for your serious speedy runners, running can be more social. So that helped me not feel so intimidated joining a running group.”
Watts says the Feilding Moa club is "incredibly inclusive and supportive" of the girls and older women who participate.
"They go out of their way to make sure the environment is safe for girls and young girls,” she says. “The Moas do that very well - making sure no girl feels threatened, intimidated or bullied.”
For teenager Walker, the club is her "second family".
“As soon as the race is over, it’s super social and we’re all there to support each other,” she says. “At the end of the day, there’s a good vibe, a real family vibe.”
Watts agrees: “We include parents and grandparents who bring their kids along to run, as marshals or doing the timekeeping, so they all feel included.”
Walker hopes to continue running for many years to come, aspiring towards representing New Zealand but also helping others to meet their goals through her leadership role with Feilding Moa.
“It’s a huge part of my life and I’m so grateful to have such an amazing club here,” she says.
“You’ve got kids who've just learned to walk right through to those who are 70 years old, so I think that’s something really special.”
