From the forests of Canada to the peaks of Aotearoa, a love of the outdoors has always been part of Jess’s story. Raised camping, hiking, and playing every team sport she could, she initially saw running as just a way to stay fit during a life of travel. But everything changed in 2011 when she decided to spend a summer in New Zealand. Jess fell in love with the place and stayed. The mountains, trails, and wild spaces of her adopted home have since become the backdrop to her running journey.
The spark
In 2018, a spontaneous entry into the Miner’s Trail ignited a spark. Just two weeks later, a friend encouraged Jess to run the Southern Lakes Half Marathon, and that’s where the magic really happened. Her path into trail running evolved quickly, from local events to pacing a friend through the second half of a 100km race at the Ultra Easy in 2019. That experience opened the door to the world of ultras, and since then, she’s completed multiple 100km races of her own, as well as countless other distances. From gritty cross-country to big mountain adventures, Jess was keen to explore it all.
Chasing summits
In 2022 and 2023, Jess earned a spot at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand and Austria. In 2024, she made history as one of the first two women to represent New Zealand at the Skyrunning World Championships in Spain. Wherever life takes her next, one thing is certain - Jess will be out there, chasing summits and trails somewhere in the world.
