CRAIG HARPER

Craig grew up and went to school in Auckland as was a very keen and active student at Westlake Boys High School. It was here that Craig followed his passion for Rowing, where he went on to compete internationally for New Zealand in U19, U23, University, and Senior levels.

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Retiring from Rowing in his mid 20's, Craig continued an active and competitive lifestyle, participating in a number of sports including the 2002 Southern Traverse, 2003 Coast to Coast, 2007 Keplar Challenge, 2008 Cook Strait Surf ski challenge, and a number of other multi-sport events like marathons, rogaines, mountain bike races and ultra running races. Craig always was up for a challenge.

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This adventurous lifestyle continued while Craig and his wife, Kate, shifted to the South Island town of Blenheim. They now have two daughters, who are establishing themselves as successful competitors themselves.

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It was a case of "trying something new" that led to Craig's first endurance ride, The 2013 505km Graperide. His experience in multi-day Adventure Racing, proved to be useful as Craig seemed to suit the long physical and mental challenge that is Ultra cycling.

 

Races slowly grew in length as Craig continued to push his boundaries and in 2017, he was enticed into an epic kiwi challenge - Attempting to set a new  record for the fastest time to ride the length of New Zealand – completing the 2,170km Cape Reinga to Bluff route in 4 days, 9 hours and 45 minutes. Check out THE LONG WHITE RIDE here.

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Following the NZ epic ride, and other endurance races (like the 505km and 1010km Graperide, and 640km Maxi Enduro Round Taupo races, Craig set about qualifying, and then putting a serious challenge on arguably the World's Toughest, The Race Across America in 2019. This again proved to be a successful campaign, where he finished 4th overall in his rookie year. This was the beginning of the SOLO.kiwi brand. Learn more about that 2019 race here.

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Over the years, Craig Harper has slowly established himself as one of New Zealand's leading ultra endurance athletes.

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Since then, Craig has continued to challenge himself on the bike, as well as further develop his interest in the mindset and mental challenges that are so important in Ultra-Cycling.

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Craig continues to share his story of physical and mental growth to many groups and people, from schools, businesses and community groups. 

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Craig firmly believes that every ordinary person is capable of achieving extra-ordinary things.

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