From Wellington peaks to the world stage, trail runner Weston Hill becomes the first Merrell NZ Performance Team athlete to earn a coveted spot on the brand’s global roster – a leap that marks a defining moment for the future of trail running in Aotearoa.
In a move that signals a shift in the trail running landscape, Wellington’s Weston Hill has been selected to join the Merrell Global Trail Running Team – becoming the first Kiwi athlete from the Merrell NZ Performance Team to make the leap from local to global.
The selection marks a major milestone in Merrell NZ’s trail running journey. Over the past two years, the brand has invested heavily in creating a clear and structured pathway for Kiwi athletes to reach the global stage, a model rarely seen in New Zealand trail running and backed up through consistent support, race exposure, gear development, and community engagement.
Weston, 33, is a mechanical design engineer and seasoned mountain athlete with an impressive resume: three national titles (2020, 2023, 2025), strong performances at UTMB and the Skyrunning World Series, and multiple representations of New Zealand at the Trail Running World Championships. His transition to the global stage not only recognises his personal athletic talent, but also highlights the success of Merrell New Zealand’s structured athlete development program.
Jose Matiz, Sales Manager at The Nevada Company and Manager of the Merrell NZ Performance Team, says it’s a massive milestone for Weston, the team, for Merrell and trail running.
“We started this team to build something meaningful and long-term,” he says.
“Weston’s selection shows it’s working, and it sends a powerful message to young athletes across the country that there is a real pathway in trail running, right here at home.”
Weston reveals the pathway for athletes to join a global team is something incredibly special in New Zealand.
“We haven’t seen a mountain and trail running team this size or with this level of support here before,” he explains.
“There is a broad range of athletes and backgrounds with a common team vision of athletic performance and growing the sport. In New Zealand, we’ve seen athletes jump straight to international teams, but Merrell is building a true pathway for Kiwi athletes to grow from local to global. Personally, it’s super exciting and a privilege to be the first from the team selected as a global athlete for Merrell.”
A First-Of-Its-Kind Pathway For Kiwi Athletes
Launched in 2023, the Merrell NZ Performance Team has quickly built a reputation for developing top-tier talent while also fostering community engagement. The team comprises of 10 athletes – 5 women, 5 men – who juggle elite competition alongside careers, studies, and family life.
Among them are well-known names like Kate McDowell, Jessica Campbell, Katie Morgan, Sonja Vreugdenhil, Penny Mouat, Ben Williams, Sanjeev Deo, Michael Sutton, Sam Rout, and Weston Hill.
All have achieved podium results, with several representing New Zealand on the international stage.
Global Recognition Meets Local Commitment
Ben Stark, Brand Manager at Merrell Global, echoes the sentiment in welcoming Weston to the team.“We’re thrilled to welcome Weston Hill to our global athlete team,” he says.
“His relentless drive and passion for pushing limits and exploring wild terrain inspires us and perfectly embodies the spirit of our team.”
“The Merrell Trail Team is getting stronger every day, and Weston helps us take a great step forward in our goal to be the best trail running brand in the world.“
“We look forward to supporting Weston in his racing goals.”
Alongside athlete development, Merrell NZ has established major partnerships to help grow the sport, and they include a three-year naming rights deal with Merrell Race Tekapo, one of the fastest-growing trail events in New Zealand, and a new partnership with the Auckland Trail Run & Walk Series, helping expand the brand’s reach in the North Island.
The brand also works closely with community groups like Wild Things, Trailrunning NZ, Live 2 Run Trail, and several clubs across the country.
Backed by evolving product innovation and support from leading retailers like Kinisi, Frontrunner, Stride Performance, Shoe Clinic and more, the Merrell Trail Run category continues to gain momentum, and with it, opportunities for the next wave of New Zealand athletes.
Trailblazing A New Era
For Jose and the wider Merrell NZ crew, Weston’s selection is both a celebration and a call to action.
“This is not just about Weston,” he adds.
“It’s about showing what’s possible.”
“We hope this moment inspires the next generation of trail runners to chase their goals, and we are proud to keep supporting Weston every step of the way in this new chapter.”
