Marlborough Express sports reporter John Alexander is taking training for his first marathon to the extreme.
He and a group of fellow runners are doing a relay from Blenheim to Christchurch to raise money for the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
They will do the Red and Black and Red All Over charity fundraiser during Marlborough Anniversary weekend in October and will raise money through the run and an auction of sporting memorabilia.
Mr Alexander, a born Cantabrian, has family living in Christchurch and wants to keep the spotlight on the region still struggling after almost a year of earthquakes.
"[The problems in Christchurch are] sort of fading out of the limelight. People tend to forget about it and it's probably the worst time for people down there.
"The grants run out and reality sets in," he said.
Following the deadly earthquake of February 22, he spent a few days helping his brother dig out liquefaction silt on his property and said the devastation awakened a lot of emotions.
"It's my home town. I just wanted to do something."
He is training for his first marathon, the Marlborough Marathon in December.
A group of eight or 10 runners from the region, who are yet to be confirmed, will run a relay from Blenheim to Christchurch, and memorabilia, including a Red Devils jersey signed by players who have played more than 100 games for the team, will be auctioned on Trade Me.
Details of the event were still being finalised, but he hoped businesses would donate services or items to be auctioned.
A bank account would be set up for donations from the public and all funds raised would go to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
The runners and support team were also looking for free accommodation in Kaikoura and Christchurch and hoped to have celebrities running the first and last few kilometres of the run.
Anyone able to help is welcome to email johna@marlexpress.co.nz
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
Ready, set: Marlborough Express sports reporter John Alexander and a group of friends will be running from Blenheim to Christchurch to raise money for his home town of Christchurch.
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