Christchurch Marathon: Ex-All Blacks and 100 dads run for Full Bellies charity

A group of more than 100 dads, including former All Blacks, are lacing up for the Christchurch Marathon in a bid to raise $100,000 to fund thousands of children’s school lunches.

The group will take on the course, looping around the city, next month, supporting the charity Full Bellies.

Formed in 2022, Full Bellies is a local charity on a mission to tackle food insecurity in local schools, delivering around 1400 lunches a week to 25 schools across the city.

Among the group is ex-All Black Colin Slade, who has enlisted old teammates, Kieran Read and Ryan Crotty.

After he stepped away from professional sport, Slade said he was looking for purpose and camaraderie in everyday life.

He found both in a Thursday morning run club, dubbed “The Fendalton Flyers”, made up of dads who meet every Thursday before sunrise.

Ex-All Black Colin Slade is a part of the 100+ team lacing up to raise money for local charity Full Bellies. Photo / Supplied

What began as a handful of guys has since grown into a 20-to-30-strong group of mates who run the same loop around Hagley Park, pick people up, and drop them off along the way.

“We all train better when we’re with other people,” Slade said.

“There’s something about that group connection, that little bit of accountability.

“You say, ‘I’ll be there at 5.30am,’ and suddenly you’re getting out of bed because you know someone’s waiting.”

Full Bellies founder Kate Pauling with the Fendalton Flyers team. Photo / Supplied

Now, the club has recruited a wider group of 100 dads who are preparing to join more than 8000 participants at this year’s Christchurch Marathon, the event’s biggest turnout yet.

“It’s everyday blokes coming together,” Slade said.

“We’ve got some guys who run a bit faster and some who hang at the back, and it doesn’t matter.

“We run 3K, stop and regroup, then run another 3K and do it again.

“No one gets left behind.”

The Christchurch Marathon is a popular event on the running calendar. Photo / Supplied

Full Bellies founder Kate Pauling said raising $100,000 will provide almost 12,000 lunches for children who need them.

“This is what community looks like in action, and we are so incredibly grateful,” she said.

“These guys aren’t just running the Christchurch Marathon, they’re running for children in our community.”

Full Bellies is a Christchurch charity on a mission to tackle food insecurity in local schools. Photo / Supplied

The dads’ fundraising effort is just one example of the community spirit surrounding this year’s event.

The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust (BMCT) is the marathon’s official charity partner.

The charity provides accommodation and support at Rānui House and Apartments for patients and families travelling to Christchurch Hospital for bone marrow transplants, cancer treatment and other lifesaving medical care.

The Christchurch Marathon will take place on April 12.