Melissa Potocka Moon (born 16 September 1969) is a

long-distance Long distance or Long-distance may refer to: *Long-distance calling *Long-distance operator *Long-distance relationship * Long-distance train *Long-distance anchor pylon, see dead-end tower Footpaths *Long-distance trail *European long-dista ...

runner from

Wellington, New Zealand Wellington is Capital of New Zealand, the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the List of cities in New Zealand, third-largest city ...

. She is a two time World Mountain Running champion and has won 21 New Zealand athletics titles over her career. In 2001, she was named New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year. In 2008, she was named as one of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP). In 2010, Moon won the women's race up the 86 flights of stairs of the

Empire State Building The Empire State Building is a 102-story, Art Deco-style supertall skyscraper in the Midtown South neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, United States. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built from 1930 to 1931. Its n ...

, in a time of 13 minutes and 13 seconds. In the

2021 New Year Honours The 2021 New Year Honours are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Honours are awarded as part of the New Year celebratio ...

, Moon was appointed a

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit () is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have ...

, for services to athletics and charitable causes.

External links

Official website
*

References

1969 births Living people New Zealand mountain runners Athletes from Wellington City People educated at Wellington Girls' College New Zealand female long-distance runners World Mountain Running Championships winners Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit New Zealand Athletics Championships winners 20th-century New Zealand sportswomen {{NewZealand-athletics-bio-stub