Young Trailblazer Completes 322km Naseby Race in Record Time

A remarkable achievement unfolded recently when **Charlotte Watts**, a 21-year-old resident of Redcliffs, became the youngest woman to successfully complete the grueling **322-kilometre** Naseby race. Watts finished the race in an impressive **57 hours and 54 minutes**, covering **32 laps** of the challenging terrain in Naseby Forest, located in **Central Otago**. Not only did she secure her place as the second woman to cross the finish line, but she also ranked sixth overall among all competitors.

Watts made history as the only woman under the age of 30 to ever complete this demanding course. With a determined mindset, she stated, “Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can’t do these big races. There’s just a blank spot for that under 30 women’s and I really wanted that to be filled.” This sentiment resonates strongly within the running community, showcasing her commitment to challenging age-related stereotypes in endurance sports.

The oldest participant to finish this year’s race was **Annie Hunt**, a 63-year-old from Twizel, illustrating that tenacity in endurance running knows no age limits. Watts herself has balanced her passion for trail running with academic and professional pursuits; she is currently completing a **Bachelor of Commerce** at **Canterbury University** while working two jobs—one at a plant nursery and another in marketing for a painting contractor.

Her journey into trail running began at the age of 18 when a friend encouraged her to join an adventure race. She soon discovered a preference for the long distances typical of trail races, which led her to participate in notable events such as the **Coast to Coast**—a multi-sport race—three times. Recently, she tackled the **Northburn 100 Miler**, which significantly boosted her confidence. “I was running with two friends and they said if you can do Northburn, you can do Naseby. I hadn’t really thought about it until then. From there, I just went all in,” she reflected.

In addition to her personal goals, Watts took on the challenge of raising funds for the **Canterbury Westpac** and **West Coast ROA Mining** rescue helicopters as part of the ‘Back to Base’ initiative. “They’re a huge help to the whole running community. Knowing that they’re there for you is just a really great safety net. I just wanted to give back a bit to them for the amazing work they do,” she explained. Over the month of August, she ran **503.71 kilometres** and raised **$505** for this worthy cause.

Watts maintained a rigorous training regime, averaging **70-80 kilometres** per week, with some weeks reaching up to **130 kilometres**. Her preparation involved a balance of intensive training and rest, ensuring she stayed healthy and focused. “It’s not always running; sometimes it’s just tramping in the hills or hiking… enjoying being outside and enjoying what you’re doing. I think that’s super key,” she noted.

As the race approached, the magnitude of the challenge began to weigh on her. “It’s further than I’ve ever gone, so there’s a lot of not being sure what to expect. But I went into it knowing there’s a job to do, and we’ll get it done,” she recalled. Watts credited her dedicated support team, which included her parents **Jo and Warwick** and her friend **Lottie Moffat**, who provided assistance throughout the race. “They were medics, they were nutritionists, they were photographers, they were everything,” she said, highlighting their invaluable role in her success.

During the race, she initially struggled with the daunting distance ahead but set a personal milestone to complete the first **100 kilometres** within **24 hours**, which she achieved. “That’s the business end done, and then you’re like, right, let’s just look after yourself and get the next hundred done,” she explained. Fatigue was a constant companion, but her mental resilience allowed her to push through the discomfort. “You’ve just got to ride out the lows and you will get the highs,” she advised.

While her support crew was stationed at a specific point on the course, Watts was careful not to linger at base for too long. She managed her nutrition effectively, grabbing energy bars as needed and only pausing for two **20-minute** naps during the marathon run. By the time she reached the **310-kilometre** mark, exhaustion had set in, and the distance began to take its toll. Yet, as she approached the final **10 kilometres**, the realization of her impending achievement dawned on her. “You feel like it’s never going to end, and then all of a sudden you’re there. It was pretty surreal,” she reflected.

With this monumental accomplishment under her belt, Watts is already looking forward to her next challenges, eyeing another **miler** early next year and feeling tempted by the prospect of a **backyard ultra**. She continues to inspire others in the running community, proving that with determination and support, remarkable feats are within reach.