FIFTY-TWO: Birth of a Soul Runner

Looking out across the rooftops of Hamilton City to the distant Kaimai Ranges and Maungatautari Mountain on New Year’s Day 2017, Campbell Forlong had no idea that instead of just ticking off these two running challenges from his bucket list, something bigger was about to happen in his 52nd year. After he’d completed three random marathon runs on consecutive weekends, his brother Paul phoned. “I see you’ve run three marathons in three weeks – you planning to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks?” he asked, half joking. It was all the invitation Campbell needed. What followed was an utterly life-changing adventure – running in the heat of the equator in the Republic of Congo, following wolf tracks in the snow in the Canadian Rockies, exploring the banks of the Seine to see the sun rise on the Eiffel Tower, returning home to discover unequalled beauty and peace on the backstreets of his hometown at midnight, and on many of New Zealand’s mountain trails. Along the way, during that year an equally important pursuit took place as Campbell began a journey into the meaning of love. How to love and be loved became even more important than distances and destinations – it was the birth of a soul-runner. Fifty-Two invites you to join that journey – 52 marathons in 52 weeks in Campbell’s 52nd year – and take a peek into this determined and passionate soul, inspiring you to reach for your own life goals and ambitions.