This year, young Para athlete Tamahau took on an exciting challenge – competing in the Zespri AIMS Games, one of the largest sporting events for intermediate-aged athletes in Aotearoa. Already a familiar face at the Halberg Games, which he has proudly attended in both 2024 and 2025, Tamahau brought his love of running to the big stage in Tauranga as part of the Achilles New Zealand community.

When asked why he wanted to take part, his answer was simple: “Because I like running.”

Tamahau entered the cross country, a natural choice after winning his schools cross country four years in a row. While he usually takes on longer distances of 2.5-10km, the Zespri AIMS Games required him to adapt to the shorter, faster 800m. That meant adjusting his training – learning sprint starts, working on speed at the finish line, and putting in time at the gym alongside preparation for this 47th long-distance race with Achilles New Zealand.

Arriving at the event was an experience in itself. “It was very, very wet and there was mud everywhere,” he said. Without a gazebo to shelter under, he and his mum braved the conditions alongside hundreds of other athletes. Still, compared to the Auckland and Queenstown Marathons, the crowd didn’t overwhelm him.

Despite some nerves – and his mum being even more nervous than he was – Tamahau thrived in the competitive atmosphere. “Everyone was cheering, but it was also very wet and boggy. People were slipping over. I saw a security guard slip over in the mud on a hill.”

Photo: Shannon Radcliffe, Supplied

One of the highlights was meeting fellow runner Jacob Radcliffe from Jacob’s Running Journey. Not only did Tamahau watch Jacob win the Year 8 cross country, but Jacob also jumped in to pace him during his own race. “It was funny hearing people talk about how famous he was before he turned up. He doesn’t actually care that he’s famous.”

Photo: Shannon Radcliffe, Supplied

On the course, Tamahau came agonisingly close to breaking the course record – just one second off. Still, he proudly took home a gold medal, a moment he describes as the best part of his Zespri AIMS Games experience.

Reflecting on his sporting journey, Tamahau says both the Halberg Games and the Zespri AIMS Games have helped him in different ways. The Halberg Games gave him the chance to try new sports, make new friends, and gain confidence, while the AIMS Games pushed him to test himself in a highly competitive environment. “Guides really help in competitive races,” he said. “At Halberg I’ve met lots of other disabled athletes, but at AIMS I raced against new people I’d never met before.”

Even without a school team alongside him, Tamahau found support through Jacob, his friends, and the volunteers who made him feel welcome.

Photo: Shannon Radcliffe, Supplied

And he’s not stopping here. With big goals on the horizon, Tamahau is lining up the Shorebird Coastal Run in September, the Auckland Marathon, and Around the Bridges in November. His sights are also set on breaking the New Zealand 10km road race record when he turns 13 at the end of the year.

Would he go back to the Zespri AIMS Games? Absolutely. “I’m going back next year.”

Looking back, the Zespri AIMS Games taught him something new about himself: “I can run shorter distances faster than I thought.” If he had to sum up the whole experience in three words, he doesn’t hesitate: “Fun, competitive and boggy.”

His advice for other young disabled athletes is simple but powerful: “Just do it. The more kids with disabilities who attend events, the more normal it will become. Just relax and enjoy your time there. It’s lots of fun.”

From the mud in Tauranga to the buzz of the Halberg Games, Tamahau continues to prove that nothing can stop his passion for running. With medals, records, and friendships along the way, his journey is only just beginning.

Photo: Shannon Radcliffe, Supplied

Header Photo: Suuplied by Zespri Aims Games