Monday, 21 September 2020 09:07

Running the Auckland Marathon... in gumboots

Written by  Staff Reporters
Jack Keeys. Jack Keeys.

A Paeroa man is training to run the Auckland Marathon in gumboots.

Jack Keeys is running 26km from Paeroa to Thames to prepare for the marathon on November 1.

With his “gumboot marathon” Jack aims to raise funds and awareness for two causes; New Zealand’s Rural Support Trust network and Melanoma New Zealand.

Last year at the age of 24, Jack was diagnosed with melanoma — the same disease that took his father Kevin when Jack was just 12 years old.

Jack got a dodgy spot-checked and caught early. Two surgeries later he’s cancer-free.

Jack balances his work as an Agri-food Research and Insights analyst at KPMG with helping his mum back on her dairy farm after she recently lost her partner.

“Working in the Agri-Food industry, I'm acutely aware of the challenges faced by rural communities, and farmers facing ongoing challenges with weather & climate, debt & financing, and regulation & perception.

“I decided to run the Auckland Marathon in gumboots to raise awareness and funds for these two awesome organisations.’

Rural Support Trust National Council Chair Neil Bateup says Jack’s enthusiasm has brought more people along with him to run in gumboots.

“It’s really cool when these young guys get in and do something for our trusts, as it helps get the word out that we have Rural Support Trusts around the country here to help look after all our rural people.

“Sometimes it’s harder for younger guys to pick up the phone and ask for help, and we want them to know that we are just a phone call or email away.”

Chief executive of Melanoma New Zealand, Andrea Newland says they are grateful for Jack’s support.

“What great Kiwi spirit to run a marathon in gumboots - it’s truly epic!

“And by sharing his story, Jack is helping raise awareness that melanoma is reasonably common in your mid-20s and 30s, so it’s vital to be vigilant when outside, cover up, wear sunscreen, and make sure you get regular skin checks, as it could save your life.”

You can donate to Keey's marathon here.

More like this

Help available for flood-hit farmers

The chair of the Otago Rural Support Trust, Tom Pinckney, says he believes that they will be especially busy in the coming months as the enormity of the floods hit home.

Mocktails and menopause

For those rural women who feel menopause might be getting the best of them, a series of events is heading to the Waikato that could help.

Say nothing!

OPINION: Normally farmer good organisations are happy to use the media to get their message across to politicians and the consumers.

Featured

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National Charity Auction.

Kiwifruit sector's big night out

The turmoil and challenges faced by the kiwifruit industry in the past 30 years were put to one side but not forgotten at a glitzy night for 400 kiwifruit growers and guests in Mt Maunganui recently.

National

Meat sector unity

Farmers are welcoming potential collaboration between the country's two major meat processors.

Machinery & Products

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

New F5 balers from McHale

Irish grassland machinery manufacturer McHale has unveiled the new four-model range of F5 fixed chamber balers.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Mixed legacy

OPINION: You're never as good as when you're dead, and with due respect to Theo Spierings' family, the Hound can't…

Dead in the water

OPINION: In a victory for common sense over virtue signalling, David Parker's National Policy Statement (NPS) work on freshwater is…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter