Tessa Aukje Dekker

Further Faster and Montane Athlete Tessa Aukje Dekker Running the 4Paws Marathon with her Dog

Meet Tessa! 

Hey, I’m Tessa! A Dutchie who traded flat land for the wild hills of New Zealand back in 2016 — and yep, I’ve been calling it home ever since. I’ve always loved the outdoors, but here it’s basically become my daily routine (and therapy). I swapped my hockey stick for trail shoes and a mountain bike and never looked back. 

These days, you’ll find me running, riding, kayaking, and occasionally figuring out how to get mud out of everything I own.

There’s nothing better than rolling out early for a sunrise ride with mates — all just to make it to the coffee shop bang on 7 AM. A flat white in hand and endorphins already flowing? That’s how you kick off a good day.

Further Faster and Montane Athlete Tessa Aukje Dekker Mountain Biking in the sunset

I’m a sucker for a good race, especially if it’s got a bit of grit and teamwork involved. Coast to Coast has to be one of my all-time favourites — I’ve done both the tandem and the Longest Day and loved them equally. 

I actually really love team events, which is probably why adventure racing in China stands out as one of the best things I’ve ever done. Nothing quite compares! 

And for something a little fluffier, the 4Paws Marathon is a total highlight — racing alongside your best four-legged mate and 500 other dogs? Sign me up every time.

Tessa Aukje Dekker running in The Kepler Challenge.

Weekends are for adventures — ideally with a bunch of mates and my four-legged sidekick tagging along. Training solo? Meh. Training with friends? Always.

This year I’m all about trail running and MTB missions — with Race Tekapo, 4PAWS Marathon, Whaka100, and Volcanic Epic on the hit list.

Stoked to be part of the Further Faster and Montane fam!