Running with a new Startup

With running events cancelled globally in the aftermath of Covid-19, a new Queenstown Startup launched - giving runners the chance to ‘race’ in their own time. 

Founder and director Tuki Huck came up with the idea for Official Tracks during lockdown as he watched running races crumble around the world. 

The team offers a new running experience, which involves RFID Timing Technology, permanently installed in parks. 

Runners purchase a timing chip and run a certified track, their results are then recorded accurately on a city leader board.  

The Startup took just nine months from idea to conception and was announced in November last year, launching in Tuki’s hometown of Queenstown. 

“I wanted to test the idea closer to home. I felt there was a good running community, which would embrace the idea. 

“I also knew I would have a lot more support to get it started.”

Tuki is part of a five-member-strong team including Director Jonathan Gurnsey, – Legal Andrew Orr, Developer Max Norton and Designer Nihara Huck. 

Official Tracks has cleverly taken existing technology and innovated a new way of doing things. 

“Timing technology has been around for a while but it was always designed with a ‘start gate’ and a ‘finish gate’ for a day event. 

“We have designed software to create ‘official tracks’, which can be run simultaneously any time and any day. A gate can be a start, a finish or a split gate depending on how it has been programed.”

There will be over 10 tracks in Queenstown, ranging from 2.5km to potentially a full marathon

The tracks are local at the moment but the team has big plans of going international in the future.

Tuki credited Startup Queenstown Lakes (SQL) with helping him turn his idea into reality.

“I have received amazing support and mentoring through SQL.  

“The SQL team has an incredible network of resources and are happy to help new entrepreneurs.

“From lawyers, accountants, marketing advisors, developers, you name it – SQL has given me access to this network that really helped bring my project to life. I’ve been invited to online courses, Startup Weekend, webinars and more, which really further my knowledge for my project.”

But, his new Startup hasn’t been without its challenges. 

Previous to Covid, Tuki had three different businesses – two which are now hibernating and one which has shut up shop – all which relied on tourism and events. 

But, that didn’t stop this serial entrepreneur from innovating. 

“Moments of crisis are moments of opportunity. I truly believe in that. 

“I managed to work with the Queenstown Lakes District Council and I got support from the leading timing tech company because of Covid. It would have been very different a year ago when it was all about tourism.”

Covid has also helped in other ways, with remote work becoming more of the ‘norm’ meaning Queenstown holds no limitations. 

“You don’t need to be stuck in a big city – the world is learning that working remotely is okay – Queenstown is an epic place to be ‘remote’.

This certainly isn’t the last of Tuki’s entrepreneur journey either – with a “snow experience for 2021” in the pipeline, along with a new honey hive business for 2022. 

7 quickfire questions; one word answers 

Q: Name the last film you watched

A: Ready Player One

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world for 24 hours where would you go?

A: Egypt

Q: Cats or dogs?

A: Dogs

Q: Name a food you could eat for a week straight?

A: Hainanese chicken rice

Q: Typing or pen and paper?

A: Pen/paper

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone who ever walked the earth, who would it be?  

A: Elon Musk

Being an entrepreneur is Like…?

Being on a rollercoaster – Sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down – sometimes you are up side down.