No longer fighting gravity – Jason Cameron of Victory Events

There is little point in naming greats or listing one-of-a-kind events Jason Cameron is in cahoots with or has created, because he is a great himself, and a treasured one-of-kind in his chosen fields of expertise.

This is down to sport being his vocation, religion, pastime and passion.

One needs not look far for evidence of this, it ran in Jason’s blood from his day dot.

Late father, David, and now-retired mother Janice undoubtedly turned out an East Coast Gisborne-born legend in their son Jason.

Both competitive runners, an early introduction to the discipline for toddler Jason saw the family attend the Rotorua Marathon, in which his parents were competing.

The enterprising son-of-a-gun plotted his own course on the day, eluding his minder to join a near-by wedding in which the bridal party temporarily adopted him. Jason was located a short while later, being fed chicken drumsticks and given oysters by the bride and groom, a fitting gift for his Mum better known for her running kit proudly claiming “Runners Make Better Lovers”.  Needless to say, it was a positively lucrative introductory experience in his eyes; two great events all round.

Could it have been that excitement and positivity which cemented his need and want to centre his professional existence around creating events, and pursue running both as his sport and career pathway?

Potentially, because it happened. Bigtime.

Brought up with his sister Lisa primarily in Hamilton, it was at about age 10 Jason realised his inherited penchant for running.

“Lisa was my first rival. We’d set up for the Olympics in the backyard – mattresses and bamboo for the high jump, a sandpit and the neighbour’s gigantic front lawn for the running events. Lisa was my nemesis in all but the distance events”

His part time school job was delivering milk by way of an old-school cart.  No doubt Jason treated his duty as an express delivery service to appreciative customers, utilising the opportunity to improve his fitness along the way.

A New Zealand representative from 1992 – 1997, the New Zealand Champion from 1992 – 1997, then, two decades later, Jason was donned a World Masters Champion in 2017.

Jason’s efforts paved his path to the international stage, building a base of skills applicable to what would be his future enterprise.

Naturally being a repeat New Zealand representative fills Jason with pride, but one event early on in his career makes him burst with it, rightfully so.

“I belonged to a harrier club and ran in events throughout the Waikato.  Cross country has always been my favourite for the feeling of freedom it gives you- running across the country up hills, on the flats, through mud, water- whatever the course threw at you I enjoyed and thrived in it all.”

Realising the great benefit, reward and feeling that taking part in competitive sport gave him, Jason naturally took on sporting icons John Walker and marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe as his idols in young-adulthood.

Jason’s developing grit and focus would take him to the top echelon of his sporting discipline.

“The 1996 World Cross Country Championships in South Africa.  It was my first international competition running against the best runners in the world.  My most memorable event moment was meeting Nelson Mandela.”

Jason excelled in other sports too, like a true-allrounder.

Cricket, athletics, cycling, triathlon, football, and rugby he could turn his hand to.

This gained celebration in his tertiary studies – immortalising his name on the honours boards of Massey University as its’ Sportsman of the Year in 1997.

Academia seemed a breeze to the already extensively accomplished young gentleman – going on to earn marks worthy of the top two percent of graduates in his bachelor’s degree.

All in all, Jason had laid quite the foundation for himself in whatever would go on to do.

As one can imagine, Jason’s resume is rich and tracks to the top of anyone’s shortlist.

With broad, proven skills, drive to match and backed by an X-Factor persona, Jason won roles in the private sector and in local government.

Auckland Cricket knew talent, picking him up as the marketing and communications manager, based at Eden Park.

Then Jason managed The Park Travellers’ Lodge from its start-up; an 82-room hotel at National Park, complete with restaurant and bar, offering guiding and transport for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and mountain bike trails.

For seven years Jason bloomed in being the events attraction and development manager for Rotorua Lakes Council, in which he administered a budget focused on delivering existing sport and recreation events while building more of a diverse range of local drawcards.

His LinkedIn page paints the masterpiece much more comprehensively, than a space such as this.

Jason is now settling in well at Athletics New Zealand.

“I look after the national competitions portfolio which is everything from the kids up to masters athletes.  It’s full circle for me, having started in the sport as a kid and now I have the opportunity to shape the future of the sport.”

All the while, since Jason’s graduation year of 2002, he too nurtured a brainchild in that of Victory Events.

“I’ve always looked for ways to make things happen rather than say it’s not possible.”

Indeed.

Iconic, incredible, unforgettable, bucket-list type experiences is truly what Jason’s Victory Events delivers.

“What I like most about being at the helm of Victory Events is turning bold ideas into reality and in turn seeing people achieve their goals and dreams.”

That notion is exponential in considering what bold realities he speaks of.

They are, and certainly not limited to, the now internationally renowned races The Goat, Tussock Traverse, Ring of Fire, and Ōhope Beach’s Sun to Surf, and the Rotorua Ekiden.

Individually notable each in different, outstanding ways, Victory Events led by Jason has been the legs carrying them all.

“My motto has always been: be bold and courageous.”

That, he has.

The Goat came about due to what some would consider being bold and courageous on holiday, June 2004.

“We decided to go for a run in three feet of snow on the round the mountain track from Turoa through to Lake Surprise.  I looked at the map when we got back in more detail and thought about how awesome it would be to organise a race between the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields that was hard-ass, but achievable.”

The Ring of Fire erupted into life upon Jason’s stars aligning with peer and colleague Nick Reader.

“We were having a coffee catch up and we were discussing what event’s we’d like to organise.  Nick and I discovered each other had the same event idea so we did it together.”

Thousands are grateful they did.

Holiday experiences also brought on Sun to Surf.

“I love Ōhope and Whakatane and have been going for holidays there since I was a kid.  I thought how awesome it would be to have a memorable run beside the most beautiful beach in New Zealand.”

Jason fondly remembers organising the Queenstown Marathon in 2005 (its inaugural year) and 2006.

“What a place to organise an event– then have a party and go river surfing the day after to shake the hangover!”

Jason recalls geography being his favourite subject at school, because it got him to think globally.  This is reflected in the Rotorua Ekiden he organised, drawing 272 teams in its October 2004 debut.

“I had been to Japan previously to represent New Zealand in the biggest Ekiden in Japan with half a million people watching, which was amazing to be a part of.”

Jason’s own family, wife Mel, daughter Ruby (age 13) and son Leroy (age 10) have the personal privilege of having this remarkable, admirable, champion role model as their energetic, enigmatic, dedicated patriarch.

When Jason is not running events, coaching running or running himself, he and his family can be found enjoying walks, beach swimming, mountain biking or playing badminton.

Jason reckons besides his family and sporting achievements, being in either the Ruapehu area or Mackenzie Country makes his heart sing the most.  It could be concluded then, his favourite band, Shapeshifter, may very well have written one of their greats with Jason in mind – ‘Gravity’ from the album Monarch.

Jason’s soul must sing those lyrics, “When I run I am free, no longer fighting gravity, all triumph and tragedy, come run, run away with me.,” louder and prouder than most for obvious reasons.

Jason is still in the habit of setting personal goals.

“I want to learn to DJ and be on the decks at one of my event after parties.”

He’ll do it too no doubt, having been a goal-orientated person from a young age.

Surely this worldly Kiwi legend should consider altering the spelling of his name to CameRUN, then it is spelt how it sounds in a local accent, and is more than apt.  Perhaps it could be his alter-stage-ego once those decks are down.

It’s all in a name after all, and its hats-off to the name Jason Cameron has created for himself, others and of course, Victory Events.