Going the distance for Mercy

Mark Colthart and Gerald Waters are both running the Tarawera Ultra-Marathon - a 100km run of mostly off-road tracks - and top it off they are using the event as a catalyst to fundraise for Mercy Hospice

Although they are running the same event, they have two different stories and reasons for supporting Mercy Hospice.

Mark, who also ran the Auckland Marathon for the hospice in 2009, lost his mother, Di, in 2009 to emphysema. Di, who Mark describes as a "fiercely independent lady", had been coming to Mercy Hospice on and off for two years for respite care.

"Over the course of a number of stays the staff became like an extended family for us," says Mark "They looked after our mother and supported us as a family in the most compassionate and caring way – I will owe them a debt of gratitude forever. This is one way I can give back."

Gerald Waters' reason for running for Mercy Hospice is completely different, but no less decent.

As a regular runner of 21km mountain events he has decided to challenge himself to run further and longer and chose a charity to support that reaches out in his community.

"I come from a small village in Wales and community was pretty much all we had. Mercy Hospice has a shop in Mt Eden and this is my community. I know of the work Mercy Hospice does and although I have no direct connection to its services, I don't believe I need to have in order to offer my support to such an important and caring organisation," says Gerald who believes the biggest challenge to the 100km will be to finish it in one piece.

Jan Nichols, CEO of Mercy Hospice Auckland is a marathon runner herself and can identify with Mark and Gerald's challenge.

"All the staff at Mercy Hospice are right behind Mark and Gerald and are wishing them both a safe and successful journey to the finish line. We thank them sincerely for their fundraising efforts. Both are going to amazing lengths when their time would already be stretched between training, work and family life."

However, Gerald says supporting a charity when taking on a personal challenge, like running a marathon, is a great way to stay motivated "Give yourself a good reason to do it, like raising funds or awareness for a charity. This will give you a purpose, and a person with a purpose can achieve anything."

If you would like to support Mark and Gerald through their amazing journey a link to their fundraising pages is at the end of this story. We'll keep you updated on their progress.

Click here to support Mark.

Click here to support Gerald.