The Country 23/06/25: Harijinda Singh talks to Jamie Mackay

Is a South Otago dairy farmer who's running 364 kms from Mt Cook to Akaroa in his gumboots to raise money for the Otago Community Hospice. We ask why? 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now, for you farmers out there who are kicking into
winter mode, I guess you're probably getting sick of your
gum boots already. How about this. How about a South
Otago dairy farmer who's decided to run from Mount Cook
to Akaroa in his gum boots to raise money for
the Otago Community Hospice. He's done fundraising in the past

(00:23):
for Farmstrong. His name is Jinder Singh. We call him
Harry here. He's a dairy farmer from Clydevale. Harry, why
run three hundred and sixty four kilometers over six days
in your gum boots? Is that a reasonable question?

Speaker 2 (00:38):
First thing, I just wanted to end the farm about
the mental health that. I just want to keep them strong.
The other thing is that we've been to Akroma, so
that's a good reason to go there.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
So I thought you might have been tempted to run
the Alps to Ocean, the bike the bike trail and
finish up in Oamaru. But yeah, Akaroa is a beautiful place,
so I don't blame you for doing that.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, yeah, I've done those Stu Ocean in twenty twenty.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
Did you do that in your gun boots? As well.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
No, No, that was in shoes. They used to run
a stage there there, so I have done that before.

Speaker 1 (01:13):
Yeah, you're running with Glenn Sutton, who's a bit of
an endurance athlete legend. He's helping you out. But this
is a huge effort. You're a thirty five year old
dairy farmer. Obviously you're in pretty peak fitness. How much
harder is it running in gum boots than running shoes.
It must be considerably more difficult.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
I think it's pretty easy. I had to walk more
than running. So in the shoes you had to run fast.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
When you're running in your gum boots or walking fast
or whatever you're doing, how many pairs of socks you
got on. I'm imagining you wouldn't want your gum boots
flopping around like you do on the farm. You'd want
them to be reasonably snug fitting or you're going to
get all sorts of trouble with blisters.

Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, I'm just to swap them over after twenty k
or something, and so I've got three person we're back
back just swapping them around.

Speaker 1 (02:08):
For those of you who don't know the geography of
the area, it's a magnificent part of the country. I've
been lucky enough to do the Alps to Ocean bike
ride and that was hard enough, let alone running in gumbies.
But Harry, anyhow, so you've started at Mount Cook, you've
obviously run down to twice or then you where are
you now? Are you at? Take a power? Are you beyond?

Speaker 2 (02:27):
Just on the about to crow on the kenne is
going to take a boo? We just about to cross
the road me and door there. So I think it's
about eighteen nineteen K two. Do you finish two four today?

Speaker 1 (02:41):
Yeah? And finishing planning to finish in Akaraua on Saturday.

Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah, on Saturday, yes, yeah, So my last leg will
be a bit longer from Liscrover, so I think that
will be seventy four k. So how to stay strong
for that one?

Speaker 1 (02:59):
Absolutely? Seventy four k's in your gun boots. How's the farm?
Obviously taking a wee bit of time off farm to
do this community fundraiser for the hospice, But how's the
farm going in Clydevale.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
Oh, that's a nice farm and I love it around there.
And the car's been away for the winter, so I
have plenty of time to do the other stuff that
I love.

Speaker 1 (03:25):
Well, Harry, Look, I think you're an inspiration to us
all and i'd like to support you with a donation.
How do we do it?

Speaker 2 (03:33):
You can just go to give a little pig and
search for a farmer hitting the road.

Speaker 1 (03:38):
Give a little farmer hitting the road, and you can
donate to Harry singh he's silly enough to run sixtree
hundred and sixty four kilometers. Harry and your gun boots.
What a great fundraiser. We wish you all the best.
Sale out to Glen Sutton.

Speaker 2 (03:52):
Yeah, thank you.