Navy officer and former school teacher running 100km for Auckland charity to help kids into sport
Sanders will be matched in his attempt by good mate Albie Roebeck, who previously joined him in a failed effort to reach 100km on Piha in June 2023.
The pair started the 100km beach run during 'thunder and lightning strikes' and severe weather warnings.
Roebeck had been hospitalised a week before with illness but still gave it his best shot, resulting in both men having to cut the attempt short after it became too much.
This time they're determined to finish the job.
'Since then, it's been on both our minds,' Sanders said.
'You kind of just have to dig into your dark times to get through it.'
A Givealittle page has been set up for the run with the funds going towards the charity Ballsy, which was founded by Rob Gaitau and will use the money to pay for children's sports fees.
Roebeck works in the Royal New Zealand Navy and with at-risk youth.
He will start tackling the gruelling distance at the same time as Sanders but on a different stretch of coastline – Pāpāmoa Beach.
In preparation, Sanders recently ran 180 laps around a stadium to try to get his mind used to the repetitive scenery of Piha's beach.
He has previously run seven marathons in seven days so is no stranger to the mental pain of long-distance running.
Sanders said they were hoping for a good turnout of friends, family and anyone who wanted to show up and support them.
'We're here to take two and put this baby to rest,' Roebeck said.
Sanders said in his previous role as a teacher he had seen first-hand the impact sport had on the mental wellbeing of young kids.
Breaking down the barrier of cost would go a long way in helping more children to access sporting opportunities, he said.
The run will take place this Friday.
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NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Navy officer and former school teacher running 100km for Auckland charity to help kids into sport
Sanders will be matched in his attempt by good mate Albie Roebeck, who previously joined him in a failed effort to reach 100km on Piha in June 2023. The pair started the 100km beach run during 'thunder and lightning strikes' and severe weather warnings. Roebeck had been hospitalised a week before with illness but still gave it his best shot, resulting in both men having to cut the attempt short after it became too much. This time they're determined to finish the job. 'Since then, it's been on both our minds,' Sanders said. 'You kind of just have to dig into your dark times to get through it.' A Givealittle page has been set up for the run with the funds going towards the charity Ballsy, which was founded by Rob Gaitau and will use the money to pay for children's sports fees. Roebeck works in the Royal New Zealand Navy and with at-risk youth. He will start tackling the gruelling distance at the same time as Sanders but on a different stretch of coastline – Pāpāmoa Beach. In preparation, Sanders recently ran 180 laps around a stadium to try to get his mind used to the repetitive scenery of Piha's beach. He has previously run seven marathons in seven days so is no stranger to the mental pain of long-distance running. Sanders said they were hoping for a good turnout of friends, family and anyone who wanted to show up and support them. 'We're here to take two and put this baby to rest,' Roebeck said. Sanders said in his previous role as a teacher he had seen first-hand the impact sport had on the mental wellbeing of young kids. Breaking down the barrier of cost would go a long way in helping more children to access sporting opportunities, he said. The run will take place this Friday.
Otago Daily Times
16-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
From inspired to inspirational
On Sunday night, Queenstowner Cam Marshall, 21, settled in with a pizza to watch Runn, a documentary detailing Nedd Brockmann's journey to run 100km a day, for 46 days, across Australia. "I just got super-inspired and thought, 'what am I doing?' "I'm just sitting on the couch eating pizza. "This guy's out here running 100km a day for 46 days." Having just returned from a working holiday in Japan, and not due to start back at Queenstown's NZONE until tomorrow, Mr Marshall figured he had nothing else planned on Monday, so on a whim decided to attempt his first 100km run, setting out to raise $100 for I Am Hope. The farthest he had previously run was 27km, about seven months ago. Mr Marshall promptly took himself to bed, woke up about 2.30am, made a rough plan for his adventure and set up his Givealittle page, "Running 100km for Mental Health — No Training, Just Purpose". "Obviously mental health [is] such a big topic in New Zealand, especially among young people," he says. "I feel like I've had my own sort of battles with mental health growing up, especially like leaving high school. "It's not easy being a young person in New Zealand, I find. "There's a lot of bad things that people can focus on, but I wanted to sort of bring some light and ... donate money to mental health and help out." He set off from his parents' Threepwood home about 4.45am, intending to do the entire distance unsupported. But as soon as he started posting on Instagram, "people started reaching out and wanting to help". His jaunt took him into Queenstown, where he stopped at FreshChoice for some food, then to Frankton, where there was another stop at New World, and then on to the Kelvin Heights golf course. He doubled back and headed towards Arrowtown — his mum's cousin dropped off some more food at Morven Ferry — but around the 75km mark he blew out his right foot. 'It just got worse and worse ... so I just had to walk it out. "I knew it was going to be a long 25km." By then, though, he had a growing support crew, who were with him every last step of the way. Mr Marshall finished about 9pm, "right outside my house" with about 10 people, including his sister who travelled over from Wānaka to keep an eye on him overnight. By Wednesday, he had obliterated his fundraising target, with over $3100 donated to the cause. Mr Marshall said he intended to keep the Givealittle page open and was considering another fundraising challenge down the track. "I love keeping fit, and I think there's potentially some room down the line to be doing a bit more of this."
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Southern rugby community in mourning
This week the Southland club rugby community has been mourning the sudden death of 26-year-old father of two Regan Wilson. The death of Marist's premier grade co-coach last Sunday has taken a toll on many players, coaches and administrators who have enjoyed the sport alongside Wilson. The game between Marist and Pirates Old Boys scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. A funeral service to celebrate Wilson's life will be held this afternoon at the Ascot Park Hotel. The community are welcome to join the celebration of his life, and a livestream of the service online will be available. As a teen, Wilson was a standout sportsman, especially in the athletics field. He also represented New Zealand Māori in rugby at under-18 level, and was head boy at Central Southland College in 2016. Wilson maintained strong relationships within the college through his contributions to coaching and taking any opportunity to give back to CSC. His name is littered throughout the athletic record books and he will also be remembered by the college for his leadership on and off the field. Wilson, who grew up in Ohai, stopped playing rugby following concussion issues and moved into coaching. He helped coach the CSC First XV, and the Midlands and Marist senior teams. Wilson has also coached Southland age-group representative teams. Wilson was at club rugby last Saturday in his assistant coaching role with Marist when they beat Blues 24-7. The Blues v Woodlands premier game will go ahead tomorrow at Woodlands, while the Eastern Northern Barbarians and Star match is on in Gore. People can support Wilson's family — Bethany, Benji and Tui — through a Givealittle page. Funds will help with immediate needs, and to provide some stability as they begin to navigate life without him.
