An Auckland man intends running the equivalent of almost nine marathons in seven days to raise money for charity.
The 359km run will see endurance runner Mal Law run seven of New Zealand's nine "Great Walks" from Sunday in what is thought to be a first for the country.
The
run, called the "7 in 7 Challenge", has already raised more than $55,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.
Mr Law, who lost his brother Alan to leukemia 40 years ago, got the idea after a solo tramping excursion in the Kaimanawa ranges almost a year ago.
He was thinking about adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes' famous 7x7x7 Challenge, where Feinnes completed seven marathons in seven days on seven continents to raise money for charity.
"I thought, 'I could do something of that ilk', but it would have to be closer to home."
He thought he should do it for a good cause, and "the choice was obvious".
From there he has been undergoing intense training, running more than 3000km in six months, as well as gym training and pilates.
At the same time he's been raising the profile of the run to raise money for the foundation.
He says the support has been "phenomenal".
"It's really blown me away."
His original target of $50,000 has already been reached so he's extended it to $75,000 with the possibility of donations running to six figures.
"It's not inconceivable that we'll hit $100,000 by the time it's over."
He says "every single cent" of donations will reach the charity.
The event starts at 6.30am on Sunday at Lake Waikaremoana, about 100km west of Gisborne.
THE RUNS:
Day 1, November 29: 42.7km, Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
Day 2, November 30: 41km, Tongariro Northern Circuit
Day 3, December 1: 51.9km, Abel Tasman Coast Track
Day 4, December 2: 78.4km, Heaphy Track
Day 5, December 3: 32.1km, Routeburn Track
Day 6, December 4: 53.5km, Milford Track
Day 7, December 5: 60.1km, The Kepler Challenge
