I'm doing this to support other people who may have valve replacements, grafts and other cardiac interventions.

I spent several years experiencing issues with Afib which was corrected via Thermal Ablation. My dad now has a pacemaker fitted. These are my reasons for taking on this challenge and attempting to raise money for Heart Foundation.

Dedicating this to my family members who passed on and those still with me today who struggle with heart conditions

Kia ora, what motivated me to do this is my tamariki and my moko. I become a nanny for the first time, and it has changed our lives, we love her so much x I also just wanted to do it for the cause, and help as much as I can for others. Unfortunately I am not on any social media, so the only way I have been promoting my cause is by word of mouth. But I am not worried, I am happy with just supporting you all out there too. Good luck everyone, take care x

As a child, I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Today over 20 years later, I'm living a healthy life and this walk is my way of giving back and supporting the incredible work of medical professionals.

My Why is for me, and how I was in total shock when I found out in 2024 I would either need bypass surgery or stent... Lucky to have a Stent... You just never know how things can change so quickly.

Many people live with heart disease. I have the privilege of a healthy heart and continue to keep it healthy by walking in this challenge and collecting donations for those that need support!

I’m taking on this challenge in support of my dad, who has recently undergone open‑heart surgery. Heart disease runs in our family, and this is my way of doing something meaningful—not just for my family, but for everyone affected by heart disease.

My marathon is for my mum, who I miss every single day. Mum, I love you, and I’m so grateful for the way you continue to watch over me. This one is for you.

Im doing this in support of people suffering from heart problems throughout nz. I recently had a diabetes scare and decided to start walking to improve my health thankfully that has happened and I no longer have an issue. Many with heart problems haven't that luxury therefore any financial help I can get for them hopefully helps and decreases any stress in their lives.

My why for doing the My Marathon is because when I was 8 I had heart surgery to close a hole in my heart in Starship Hospital in Auckland. The nurses and doctors were amazing. I felt so cared for and I knew I was in good hands. I was 8 when I had the surgery and I'm now 15- going on 16 in September. My Opa passed away in his 60s from a heart attack and my grandfather had a surgery for blood clots (Something like that... i forgot what it was called) so heart issues run in my family. both sides. I'm now healthy and happy. I attend school as a regular teenager, I have my friends, I play netball and Im forever greatful for the doctors and nurses that saved my heart. Now my brains acting up lol- Epilepsy...

I'm motivated to do this for everyone that has heart issues or lost someone dear, due to the heart. I have a dear friend in her 80s that has had a double bypass also my dad had a pacemaker. If my joining this marathon can help anyone, I'm happy 😊

I’m doing this in memory of my 1st hubby who died from a cardiac arrest at 37. My Present hubby had a heart attack a few years ago and I have P atrial fibrillation. My 2 matrons of honour have both had bypass surgery, both having arrested fortunately in the ambulance and one also now has a passmaker. So I’m doing the hard yards for them.

Walking to raise funds for The Heart Foundation is a no-brainer. Having family history of high blood pressure and cholesterol I am aware of what it means to maintain a healthy heart. Recently my amazing sister had to have a triple by-pass and I am so grateful for the new lease of life she has received. Anyone of us, at anytime could be in need of life-saving surgery so please donate to this worthwhile cause - even $5 or $10 is enough. Thank you so much in anticipation - rain or shine tomorrow I’ll be walking my kms.

I lost a very dear friend/brother, Shreeni, eight years ago to a heart attack and have since been trying to make peace with his passing. He was the kindest soul, and one of the motorcycle riders I have known. I am going to attempt to jog 126 km in May to honour his memory. :)

Have had Cardiomyopathy for over 5 years. I am a couch potato and have decided to get off my butt and give this a go to help others who are going through worse. Hope I can do the 42 k and even more

After open heart surgery in August 2024 to replace my aortic valve, I was given a second chance. The support, resources, and guidance I received through Heart Foundation NZ made a huge difference in my recovery and getting me back on my feet. Now I’m walking my first MyMarathon to give something back—so others can get the same support when they need it most

In May I'm walking 84km to raise funds for the Heart Foundation. Sue the dog is coming along too. My motivation is my Dad. He was 56 when he passed away from an aortic aneurysm after surviving previous heart attacks and strokes for over a decade. I was 19 and I've missed him being there for the past 36 years, and this birthday coming up marks my 56th year around the sun. Every little bit counts, and hopefully will help someone else's child have more time with their parent.

To help raise money for people who have heart issues

Like so many my family have lost loved ones both friends and family so just trying to be a small help in the battle .

I want to support research into heart disease as I have gone onto statins for high cholesterol. My dad suffered with heart issues and died at a relatively early age so I'm hoping I avoid the same issues.

I'm doing this for young wahine in Aotearoa who should not have the experience of losing their Mum too early. Every wahine should have their Mum there for their first child, for their 21st, for graduation - for a whole lot of memories. If raising money improves our ability to address the problem, then I'm for it.

I'm doing MyMarathon this may to improve my own health, and reduce my risk of heart disease, even though I have a family history of heart issues. 🩷🫀🩷 I want all kiwis to be able to access this lifesaving care 💓

Our Dad died at the ripe age of 54 and he was our rock not only to his children but to his mokopuna he achieved so much in his short life he took care of our Mum who was poorly in health during each pregnancy, he was a hunter gatherer, worked many jobs from Whanganui to Turangi, Wellington Porirua looked after his own siblings was a wheeler dealer a jack of all trades he had a numerous about of jobs mainly frezzing works in Whanganui the bush and shearing in Turangi he was player Coach at Turangi Marist grew his own maara garden was always at the Marae doing stuff, and fundraising at the Marae or at home for churches or the Marae by playing cards. He wrote waiata which are famous in the haahi Morehuvof which I only found out played musical instruments etc etc

In memory of my darling husband Ian loving dad of his daughter and sons, father in law and special Poppa of his grand children also dogs Spoke Toby. Jack Scooter and Cloud

I enjoy running, but find I don't do it as much as I want to year round. This event has become a yearly reminder to focus on that aspect of my fitness and health, I look forward to hitting the trails and I even bought myself some new running shoes recently so I'm ready to go. The fact it's for a good cause just gives me extra purpose and motivation, and I find the little milestones rewarding. My deepest motivation is to stay healthy and active for my kids and potential grandkids, I have a 2 year old boy and a 4 year old girl, and I want to keep up with them for as long as possible! My mum's parents both suffered from heart disease, and although they have lived long and full lives, it has affected what they are able to do in their old age, and even at times how much we are able to see them. More investment into heart research can only lead to extending and improving the lives of those affected.

My why is in memory of my mother, Uncle Noel & father-in-law

I am completing this challenge for myself and family members who have had heart conditions. I had a significant event at Christmas in 1998, and now want my heart to be strong for the years to come.

Come and join us

This May, I am taking part in MyMarathon to raise funds for heart research and to help save lives. Heart disease can happen to anyone so hopefully with me doing this challenge I will raise awareness, and make a difference.

I am taking on this marathon to support the Heart Foundation because my Dad passed away few years ago he had a heart attack .I want to help others in my community to become more active and healthy and I want to lead by example and inspire my family friends , everyone one in the community to be proactive toward better heart health.

I am taking on this marathon to support the Heart Foundation because I want to help others in my workplace become more active and aware of their health. Being physically active has made a real difference in my own life, and I want to lead by example and encourage others to take positive steps toward better heart health.

We’re coming to that age when friends and family member are suffering from heart conditions so I’m doing this for all of them and my dad!

I had a heart attack in 2006. The St John Ambulance and Christchurch Hospital Emergency staff were outstanding and I will always be indebted to them. It was the Heart Foundation staff, however, who, through their wonderful Cardiac Rehabilitation programme, changed my life 180 degrees - for the better, of course. What a wonderful, caring, knowledgeable group of people. My walk is dedicated to them.

I'm doing this for a number of family and friends that have either had or unfortunately passed away from heart disease.

​I’m walking 42km in May to support the Heart Foundation and help Kiwis battling heart disease.

To honour my mum who I lost last year and all the ones who have passed before us and is currently battling hardship with heart disease. A cause so close to my heart that one day soon I become a specialist in cardiologist 💛

I’m supporting this cause in memory of my mum who passed away in 2023. Heart challenges affect a number of our whānau members. Taking good care of ourselves is a key focus.

I'm taking on the marathon this May to support Heart Health research. Heart disease is a cause close to my heart and the more research that can be done, the more lives that can be saved.

This is my “why” — why I’m running 84km this May to help raise funds for the Heart Foundation. Both my kids and I have heart conditions. Staying active is something that really helps us, and we feel incredibly lucky that we’re able to keep moving. My kids will even be joining me for some of the kilometres along the way. To everyone who’s running or walking this May to raise funds — good luck. You’re all doing something amazing for such an important cause.

I'm entered into MyMarathon this May in dedication to the memory of my stepfather Fred. He suffered from heart disease for many years then suffered a heart attack and passed away just 69 years of age. Since then, my Mum's heart has weakened, therefore I'm in full support of everything out Heart Foundation does for Kiwis

I am walking 84kms this month to raise awareness of early detection of heart diseases. Whether through lifestyle or hereditary conditions, it’s so important to get those symptoms seen by a dr. My husband ignored those symptoms, stopped talking to our dr, he was scared of hospitals and operations. On 3rd February 2021 he suffered a major heart attack, alone at home, he passed away. By walking and raising money for Heart Health, if I can save another family from the heartbreak and anguish that my family has been through it is well worth every km I walk. .

I am doing a 42km walk to support the heart foundation as my husband has had heart attacks and has on going issues with his heart. My dad died from his heart attack and I have a couple of friends that have had heart attacks also. I too have experienced heart problems. My moto is live life, take that holiday, make memories as you never know what tomorrow will bring.

I am supporting all those who live with heart disease of some sort. My husband had a triple bypass in 2014, and I have friends that have had heart attacks.

I'm walking 42kms in May. For the last 10 years o have had atrial fibrillation and more recently an atypical flutter and now mild heart failure. I am now waiting on my second cardiac ablation. I want other people to benefit from my effort.

I've chosen a team to achieve my goal of walking 42kms. I hope I'm doing that right because the 3 of can take third portion of the distance, altho I walk everywhere anyway but with COPD I do a couple's of K's usually everyday to kp the body moving but that takes me a good couple of hours coz I have COPD and now I have cardiovascular issue and am told I'm borderline stroke. But my real WHY is my mum died of it known as something arather ...blablabla cardinal infarction.. my older sister and two of her boys also have heart cardiovascular issues & my brother in law who I might ask to join the team has had a stroke and has a pace maker which now makes him act chilli able to walk faster than megarddammit but do wish us well plz ppl & thank you very much.💛❤️‍🔥💜

I am walking 126km to help raise funds toward the heart foundation. I have experience with heart issues as I have a heart condition (SVT) and I would love to support those with any heart related issues as much as I can. It truly sucks to have limitations in such an eventful world.

I had a heart attack in August 2025. It was sudden and I was 51 years old. God reminds us that He is in control of everything and anything. Running is one of my ways to honour Him.

I started becoming breathless in Oct '24. In April '25 i went to the doctor for a cardiac referral. In May i started fainting, in June I fainted in a meeting and ended up in ICCU, with a pacemaker being fitted 2 days later. Noone knows why this happened. That is my why, because we need funded research to understand and combat all forms of heart disease.

I running 62kms this May to honor my brother Stern who lost his battle 24th Sep 2023 to heart disease. This is a foundation I will always hold close to my heart for the amazing team who looked after my brother for a year Gave him the best possible chance to survive with bi-vads but sadly loosing his battle when having a Heart Transplant. My motto is 'Because he can't do hard things anymore, I can. For him!

I grew up with a congenital heart condition that back in the 60s and 70s was not easily diagnosed. Thanks to the amazing progress of heart research I had major heart surgery in the 80s and again in the 90s followed by a heart transplant three years ago.

My why? Get New Zealand ahead, promote long distance running, promote technological devices for running, promote food science and hydration around running, promote athleticism, promote cross sport benefits of running

I’m taking part because of the support I received after my heart attack. We also have friends and relatives that have been supported by the amazing people at Heart foundation.

My reason for taking up this challenge is ive seen people friends young fit active friends playing sports get taken by heart disease and often they show very little to no signs of it coming so im going to do the 126km walk to show my support for people taken by this disease

I'm walking 42km this May to support the Heart Foundation and in honour of everyone we've lost to heart disease. Together we can get one step closer to finding life-saving research ❤️

I'm taking part in my first MyMarathon to help fund heart research. Both my grandfathers have had heart attacks, one of them needing numerous surgeries, which is something I didn't know a lot about as a kid. To find out how it impacted them, but also how they've bounced back, was moving. Because of advancements in heart research, they've been able to live normal and healthy lives since. If we can raise funds and also awareness, it could help save a family member.

I’m taking on My Marathon to support the Heart Foundation... a cause that’s close to my heart in more ways than one. I’ve been part of the organisation for over five years, so I see every day the incredible difference this work makes, and I feel really connected to its purpose. I also live with a heart condition, which makes it all the more personal for me. This challenge is my way of giving back, raising awareness, and hopefully making a small difference for others who are on their own heart health journey.

I’m taking on MyMarathon this May for all those that I love that have been affected by heart disease. It hit a little closer to home in the past few years – in 2024 we were camping in the Coromandel when my father-in-law had a heart event; two days later we were opening Christmas stocking in the hospital while he was waiting for an angiogram! He was sent home from the hospital with a number of resources from the Heart Foundation. ❤️ I am raising funds to contribute to the amazing work that I know the Heart Foundation does so I can support their purpose to stop all people in New Zealand dying prematurely from heart disease and enable people with heart disease to live full lives.

dedication to father