I spent the weekend on a training camp for a women's running charity that's just launched here in New Zealand. 

It’s called '261 Fearless' and its part of a global not-for-profit that was founded by the trailblazing runner, Katharine Switzer. 

You may remember, Switzer was the first woman to officially run the Boston marathon 50 years ago at a time when women were banned from entering marathons. The race director tried to pull her from the course, but she ran on and those iconic images of men trying to drag her from the course would later be named by Time magazine as images that changed the course of the world.

That was in 1967, and when Switzer ran the Boston marathon, her race number was 261. That’s why her charity is called ‘261 Fearless'. Over the course of the years, many, many women have sent her images of '261' written on their arms, or their running tops, and they say that number was their inspiration. It’s why they took up running, and they carry that number into every race, be it a five kilometre walk, or a marathon. 

And so Switzer realised how transformational that moment and that number had become and the ‘261 Fearless Charity’ was born. When I was in New York last month, I met with Switzer and she asked me to head up the New Zealand arm of ‘261 Fearless’. And so here I am. The club director for 261 fearless New Zealand.

There are clubs across America and in Europe, but our club is the first in the southern hemisphere.

What do we do?

Well, the first thing we should point out is that you don't have to be a runner to join 261 fearless. You can walk, walk-run, you can shuffle along for a hundred metres, or you can run. The goal of ‘261 Fearless’ is fitness -- not thinness. It’s about empowering women of all abilities, ages, body-types, ethnicities, religious backgrounds and socio-economic statuses to move, and to build their self-esteem. 

Or as Switzer herself says: “Just turn up. Come on. Let’s be fearless."

Our training camp this weekend was incredible. Switzer brought across her number one trainer and we learnt a lot about how you guide and support women to take those first steps. There was a lot of theory involved. We learnt how to support new mums or women suffering from depression. We learnt how we can help women to move from a space of zero fitness and obesity through to the most basic level of fitness and beyond. We studied walking and running styles so that we can help women to reduce the risk of injury. And so it went on. It was a fascinating weekend and I was one of five newly-certified trainers who ended the weekend feeling enriched and motivated to help other women. 

How will it work?  

We’ll meet once a week and at the moment we're in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch, but we'll set up more certified trainers all over the country to try and reach the demand that's out there. And it seems there's quite a bit of demand already for trainers all over the country. We’ll get there, and I can't wait. 

The best way to get in touch is through Facebook. Have a look for '261 Fearless New Zealand'.

The hardest part - and I know this myself - is taking that first step. But once you do, as Switzer says, the fitness and strength that comes from it will change the course of your life. All women are welcome. Have a think about it. 261 Fearless. It’s a thing.