Record breaking win for Hunt at AIMS

Robert Hunt races ahead for back-to-back victory in Cross Country  

Low vision Robert Hunt (right) seen pictured running with Wilson Li. Photo / AIMS media

Runner Robert Hunt outpaced his own previous record to secure his second consecutive cross country victory at the 2026 Zespri AIMS Games.

The Year 8 Scots College student crossed the line in front of a roaring crowd, clocking 2:43.95 in the 800m adapted sports event, breaking his own previous record.

For Hunt, 13, coming top from the field of 23 runners was the reward for months of training.

“I feel really good. I was a bit nervous before the race, but I feel happy that my training for this hasn’t gone to waste.”  

Robert’s mum Meredith was there in support, waiting at the finishing line.  

Born with low vision, Robert has been running since he was eight years old. The back-to-back champion trains at Olympic Harriers in Wellington with Year 8 runner, Johnson Li from Newlands Intermediate.

Li, who trains under coach Craig Holden, won the Year 8 Boys cross country competition this year, making it a double for the pair.

 When preparing for a big race like AIMS, Robert said he favoured a typical Kiwi kid breakfast of two weet-bix and a “very nice ripe banana”. 

Robert doesn’t just achieve on the field, he recently gained global recognition academically by winning the 2024–2025 Lions International Peace Essay Contest. He was awarded USD $5,000 to attend the Lions International Convention in Orlando, Florida. 

With another cross country win under his belt, Hunt is already looking ahead to his next challenge, and his ultimate running dreams stretch far beyond the current circuit.

When asked where he would take his talent next if given the opportunity, the young athlete’s answer was simple

“I’d like to run somewhere with nice mountains.”

Born with low vision, Hunt has been running since he was eight and has developed into a highly accomplished young athlete. He trains with Olympic Harriers in Wellington under coach Craig Holden, with Johnson Li also helping guide his training.

His preparation for race day, however, started with a distinctly Kiwi breakfast: two Weet-Bix and a “very nice ripe banana”.

The AIMS victory adds to an already impressive list of achievements for Hunt. Away from the track, he won the 2024–2025 Lions International Peace Essay Contest, earning US$5,000 and an invitation to attend the Lions International Convention in Orlando, Florida.

But it is running that continues to capture his imagination.

With another AIMS title under his belt, Hunt is already looking towards whatever comes next. And when asked where he would like his running to take him if given the opportunity, his answer was simple.

Somewhere with nice mountains.