Local Legend: Mike Ward

Each month we tell you about someone from our Legend Hall of fame. They may be a Local Legend, a Living Legend or a Legend in History.

For September 2010 we have chosen Mike Ward.

We think Mike is a Local Legend.

You have all probably seen him before. Perhaps he was on his trike somewhere around town and you saw him out your car window. Or maybe he was running along a mountain trail or along the pavement. Or he might have been sitting at his stall at the market. Or making a speech in parliament. Or basking in the sun with his notebook and a pencil.  Mike Ward is a man of many talents – an adventurer, artist, athlete and sometimes a politician – and a proud Nelsonian. He’s proud of our town, our region and of New Zealand.  And he wants to preserve it for you children and the future generations.

In February 2011 he will line up in Kumara, on the West Cost, to complete his 29^th Coast to Coast race…at the age of 68.  He is the only person who has completed every single race since it started. He isn’t the fastest racer. Sometimes he comes in last, when it’s dark and everyone has long finished and headed to bed. But he always makes it in. And Robin Judkins is usually there in a crazy coloured shirt at the finish to congratulate him!

We think he’s a fantastic role model for local children – and adults alike – because of his attitude to life. He cares for our environment more than you could imagine and has dedicated a lot of his time to it. He never gives up and always stands up for what he believes in.

So next time you spot Mike on his trike, or running the streets, or at the market, make sure you stop and give him a big grin and a wave.

“I do like adventures.  I know that if I live to be a thousand it won’t be enough time to do all of the good stuff so I don’t muck around doing pointless things.  In 1990 I raced from North Cape to Bluff and in 1995 I used an air ticket that Robin Judkins gave me for completing my first ten Coast to Coasts to fly to Scotland and race from Balachulish to Aberdein and in February I line up for Coast to Coast number twenty-nine.  I call myself an adventurer… and an artist and an athlete and occasionally I am a politician but it really doesn’t matter whether I am writing a speech or making a Wearable art entry or  a brooch I like to do everything adventurously even the ordinary stuff like talking with people I care about and preparing food..  I am fortunate that my adventures take me to places that remind me that I am very fortunate to live on this quite remarkable planet.  Parents tell me that their children say I am saving the planet when they pass me on my trike.  I am probably just triking down for a coffee but perhaps their children know that it is the ordinary things that people do like spending too much time in their cars or throwing too much stuff away that threatens the planet and our future so I am just tickled to bits that young people are being encouraged to live adventurously and see our wild places because I suspect there are few better ways to make sure they live their lives in ways that are kind to themselves and the planet.”

Mike Ward – adventurer, artist, althete,  politician and  Legendary Nelsonian, 16th September 2010

 Mike Ward, at Kumara Beach (the start of the Coast to Coast race) in 2010.