Wilson (28) first took on the Longest Day in 2013, finishing eighth in the open women’s section in 14hr 27min 15sec, and returned to the 243km challenge in 2014 to finish fourth in in 14hr 24min 8sec.
Despite being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly after her 2014 Longest Day race, and an absence of six years from the contest, Wilson has never been far removed from multisport action and comes into the 38th edition of the Coast to Coast as one of the favourites.
Despite adjusting to life with type 1 diabetes, Wilson has not allowed the disease to stop her doing all the activities she loves and she continues to approach her sporting involvement at full noise.
“I just wanted to return when I felt I was ready,” Wilson said of making a return to the course after a six-year absence and taking onboard the experience gained during this period.
“I’m just looking forward to giving it another good crack.”
While the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be devastating for some, Wilson wasted little time in picking up the reins to become New Zealand’s International Diabetes Federation ambassador, overseeing several fundraising, mentoring and promotional programmes, with the goal of proving that living with diabetes need not prevent anyone having an active lifestyle.
As a back-to-back winner of the under-25 youth team section in the Godzone Adventure Race in 2015 and 2016, Wilson made short work of meeting the challenge of diabetes head on.
One of her first roles in raising awareness as ambassador for the disease came on Diabetes Awareness Day (November 14) 2015, when she cycled up and down the Treble Cone gravel access road, a round trip of 14km, 9½ times in a 22hr period. The feat equates to cycling to the summit of Mt Everest (8848m).
In November 2017, Wilson drew attention to Diabetes Action Month by completing a 3000km journey from Cape Reinga to Bluff, drawing on adventure racing disciplines such as tramping and running, biking, kayaking and pack raft.
Along the way, she handed out several Jerry the Bear soft toys to children afflicted by diabetes. Her journey garnered around $2000 but the awareness of the disease she raised on her journey south through visits and promotional activities proved invaluable.
On her trip, she averaged a staggering 120-150km a day.
Her longest day was a 250km bike ride from Rotorua to Raetihi.
Her journey south holds many memories, the main one being greeted in Invercargill by Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt attired in his robe and chains.
While continuing to maintain a high sporting profile, a torn cartilage in early 2018 meant she was not able to compete again until the beginning of 2019, after which she enjoyed a year many in the sport would envy.
Results included podium finishes in the Redbull Defiance, Godzone Aventure Race, World Series Adventure Race in Ecuador, Queenstown’s Peak to Peak, Cromwell’s Spring Challenge and the Rasdex River Race on the Waimakariri in early December.
For Wilson, preparation is key in order to manage her diabetes while competing.
She wears a FreeStyle Libre sensor system that monitors her glucose levels.The sensor is applied to the back of the upper arm with a simple, disposable device called an applicator.
When the sensor is applied, a thin flexible and sterile fibre is inserted just under the skin.
It is held in place with a small adhesive pad.
The device can last up to 14 days.
For the women’s section of this year’s Longest Day race, there is no doubt Wilson is adding a competitive edge, but remains realistic as to her chances.
“It’s a long day and a lot can happen in 12-plus hours,” she said of remaining focused on her own race on the day and taking chances and opportunities on the course as they arise.
Emily Wilson
At a glance
Age: 28.
Education: Graduate from University of Otago in physiology and sports science.
Recent key achievements: International Diabetes Federation youth ambassador for New Zealand; traversed the mountainous Pyrenees in Spain, pushed Wanaka trolley teams to new thresholds of speed; volunteered for conservation groups working with North Thailand’s elephants.
Coast to Coast results: 8th 2013; 4th 2014.
Adventure/multisport results 2019: Fourth women’s team Redbull Defiance; Wanaka; first team Godzone Adventure Race; third team World Series Adventure Race, Ecuador; first Peak to Peak multisport race, Queenstown; first team Spring Challenge, Cromwell; Second Rasdex River Race, Waimakariri.
